In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
脱开电影说一句题外话，如果毕志飞还想继续拍摄多主角电影，可以来这部电影里面取经。
“一个国家的尊严就等同于它给女性的尊严。”
法庭上的几段话真的精彩，振聋发聩！可是几千年的糟粕真的很难改变。
印度现实主义题材影片在题材震撼程度方面是越来越高，剧情叙述方面也更加庞杂，竟玩起了多重反转。美中不足是在影像语言和风格探索上始终原地踏步，甚至有些退步，不像韩影那样成熟多样。
一边跪，一边哭。
9分。人类永远是最可怕的，即使是在末日。机器人却是最温暖的，虽然杰夫才被创造出来几天，但芬奇身体状况堪忧，他不得不快速成长，细腻的他在学习的时候还能细心地体会到情感的变化，真是厉害，不由地让我想起最近在看的《克拉拉与太阳》里的克拉拉。芬奇为了自己的狗伙伴创造了一个智能机器人，可见人类对情感的依赖始终不变。末日虽可怕，但情感弥足珍贵，不管是哪种形式的。
先来说优点，后半程非常精彩，设置了两重反转，让人眼前一亮。其次讨论的议题非常现实主义，女性权益、制度弊端、政治操纵、舆论引导、程序正义、刻板印象等等，最精彩的部分就是最后的庭审。缺点也很明显，容易被时长吓退162分钟，印度电影的通病，部分情节完全可以略去不表。
末世公路片这个题材都开始了...公路片行走的哲思为内核，我竟然被两个机器人感动到了呜呜呜...白西装白礼帽的老头永远是绅士帅气的呀..阳光下的遮阳伞这一幕，美好的东西竟然让人如此难过😫真是让人鼻酸的故事...
排球换成机器人了 汉克斯快去世的时候细节拍的太好了 很感人 这里的感情真的很细腻 又像朋友又像师徒又像父子
堪称《杰伊·比姆》的姊妹篇，在立意上甚至比其更加深刻，最精彩的是随着剧情推进完成了立场转换和内核蜕变。一起惨案被广泛关注，逍遥法外的凶手引起众怒。看似正义的枪响终结了罪恶，顺应民意皆大欢喜。法庭上的“怒汉”对案件提出了质疑，民意是否能凌驾于法律？当真相水落石出，原来一切都是肮脏的政治游戏，众人都是被操纵的武器。“未知全貌不置可否”对如今的网络时代不过是一纸空文，舆论的浪潮足以席卷所有异议。“媒体的存在是为了报道真相，还是媒体所说的一切都是真相？”比起质疑，宣泄情绪要轻松得多。比起思考，随波逐流要容易得多。打破偏见的勇气，好过执行正义的工具。
有两次反转。刚开始看的时候想到了前段时间发生的唐山事件，当然这部电影不止于此。政治，教育，体制，法律，舆论，媒体，涉及的内容更多，以至于演员也多，对于脸盲患者来说有点困难。
多次反转，编剧是个人才，印度民智反思让人佩服！一星扣掉是因为导演太过混乱的节奏和各种慢镜头。
与疫情斗得身心俱疲的我们太需要这样一部电影，温馨，感动，放缓情绪和节奏，来一次心灵的旅行~怀念那些单纯和美好。
片头说这是导演的第一部作品 真的nb
有一些缺陷，比较生硬粗暴，但一勇遮百丑，即使是洒狗血式的批判现实主义，也足够中国电影汗颜的了。
泪奔……好片！没有个人英雄主义，只有一个垂暮老人、一条狗、一个有感情会做梦的机器人。
印度的电影行业真的走在很前面，反转很可以，几分钟剧情完全扭转颠倒，法庭部分精彩，有被代入到啥也不知道跟着瞎愤怒的民众中去。
当人与人没了沟通，对陌生人就会产生天然的不信任。
末日，老男人，一条狗，两个机器人。（哭个不停）
良心发现，英雄出现，民众狂欢。
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