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.
很大气，自己看不明白，只能去看别人的讲解。
看不懂的欧洲文艺；更看不惯的欧洲文艺；这是一部拍给西方人看的影片。
Alma气质好好 可惜亲人都去逝了 真的美强惨了 可怜的动物们
画面没的说，很美，高文旅途中的一切都是这么奇幻不解，最喜欢的还是结尾：well done，my brave knight，off with your head。
场景和装束都很美，但是故事照原著诗文比有改动删减，所以容易把人看得云里雾里。我并不认同广大观众的成长观点，结合原著看的话，这片子实际讲述的，更多是一种宿命论。片子很超现实，大量的留白给了观众极多的想象空间，自然会导致评级两级分化。喜欢的人会喜欢的要死，不喜欢的人也会觉得它装X扮深沉。本片的综合素质一般，稍显沉闷，但这片难得可贵的是，在爆米花快餐模式电影横行的当下，依然坚持以骑士冒险的外衣，来了一场极有韵味的文艺旅程！就像玩了好几天啤酒轰趴后，突然品了一杯香茶一样，别有风味～愿意静下心来看一遍，也是不错的。
总算看了，喜欢，画面太美了，在奇怪的点被治愈了哈哈哈。
一星半，原来这就是骑士精神，当今社会大部分男的都缺这玩意儿。光影配乐没话说，节奏慢很正常，就是故事略长。
高逼格的文艺，摄影很棒，表演几乎挑不出毛病。怎么说呢……只是我格局不够欣赏不了
如果它绽放在我们的皮肤下 我们将它挤压出去
高文骑士刚开始也太挫了，居然被两个女的打劫了
还是理想化了 现实毕竟太骨感 半个分神 天地就变了 往后余生 还是天各一方的好
二刷， 觉得值得5分。电影的改编让故事更合理
7/10 、如果对中世纪传说不太了解的话，强烈建议看完电影再看一下相关的解析
钦定感好重啊，有种别的骑士都死光了的感觉（。画面还挺美，巨物爱好者福音
有点小失望 视听绝对没得说 但整部片子被随意的节奏和导演对原故事的过度解读有点拖垮了 而且台词写的是真的不行 和Robert Eggers比真不是差了一点半点
中世纪聊斋。又或者说是因为恐惧饥饿吃毒蘑菇导致的一种臆想的男人成长史。
很典型但又反英雄套路的英雄之旅。好多意向看得亿点云里雾里，但是摄影和音效就足够值回票价。回头一定要二刷。
作为电影感觉可能差强人意但是抛开表现手法来说故事原本的意象扩充做的其实可圈可点。
一个男孩终于鼓起勇气摘下了遮羞布，成为了骑士～
我承认我没看懂
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