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.
还行吧，我也想碰到男主一样的美事儿，白日梦谁不喜欢呢
中年romcom蛮好看的诶！歌也都很好听，JLo状态太好了
是比较难看的青春爱情片了，就很难熬，通过心脏骤停那时刻连接两人，但故事讲述得太磨叽无聊了。
虽然俗套，但是全程嘴角上扬，甜甜的爱情谁不想要呢～影片中穿插了好多社交媒体的东西，确实很影响观影，但是现在明星的生活不就是这样吗～On my way 一出来，脑子里就一直想诺丁山里那句话，一边听一边想一边哭，喜欢上不对的人也是种灾难，幸好电影会帮我们实现happy ending 。里面的歌都好好听，生活都这么苦了，这点糖是需要的！！！！
好Dry的剧情，期望越大失望越大。精华都在预告里了…..
虽然俗套，但是全程嘴角上扬，甜甜的爱情谁不想要呢～影片中穿插了好多社交媒体的东西，确实很影响观影，但是现在明星的生活不就是这样吗～On my way 一出来，脑子里就一直想诺丁山里那句话，一边听一边想一边哭，喜欢上不对的人也是种灾难，幸好电影会帮我们实现happy ending 。里面的歌都好好听，生活都这么苦了，这点糖是需要的！！！！
三星全给洛佩兹的美，剧情很垃圾，除了歌曲环节其他全部看不下去，还不如全部放mv好看
剧情比较弱一些，但瑕不掩瑜。好多画面都拍得很好看，特别是几段歌舞。节奏也把握得不错。看起来没有负担。能愉快地看完。
不错的片子，熬过了前面的铺垫到结尾你就能够明白导演想要表达的不仅仅只是跨越生死之间的爱情了，还有你自己，正式自己的过去和灵魂。救赎自己，原谅自己与自己和解。
意外的好看，虽然二十一世纪了人鬼情未了都变得老套，“伤痛也是爱的一环，因为你承担了伤痛，爱就一直在”
特么好做一女的。各种别扭。香肠嘴越看越烦。
剧情真的是老套到我直接啃生肉都么有理解障碍。我也不想给四分啊，可那是我爱了22年的Jennifer Lopez啊，这难道不是妥妥的一整部梦女素材，恋爱游戏一样的又傻又甜的浪漫剧情，代了代了。
矛盾冲突点竟然是JLo提名拿奖，因为有距离感才分开，我真的：？？？？ 平平无奇，从开头就能猜到套路的标准RomCom，因为编剧的拉胯显得更一言难尽
意外地甜蜜好看！新时代的灰王子故事。J-Lo太有魅力了！
心情在“JLo怎么这么好看”与“剧情怎么这么土鳖”间反复横跳
无聊、尴尬、烂俗，跟同类型的诺丁山比实在太差了，男主怎么会这么没有魅力啊SOS
同样女明星遇上平凡男主 诺丁山男主的颜值就合理多了 毕竟是休叔 不过本土狗好喜欢这种先婚后爱的情节 有泪点（救 而且歌很好听
J.Lo状态依然在线，但剧情好无趣，歌不难听但总感觉已过时。
总体上说很不错很感人，但现实与回忆的转场有一两个比较乱。凯儿·艾伦是有点帅
感觉剧情浮于潦草了，氛围感差点意思，J.Lo颜值撑起了整部电影。
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