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.
太苦了。舞女，“师匠”，他们才是生活的真相。北野武有部片子《阿吉利斯与龟》，讲了一个没有才华却痴迷画画的失败画家，耗费一生，终无所成。当时看完非常厌恶，尤其是有一场，北野武饰演的画家的女儿去世，在遗体前，他首先想到的居然是拿纸印下女儿的遗容，因为觉得口红颜色不错…但如果现实里北野武在师父灵堂的那段是真发生了，我可以理解《阿》中那场戏了。一点也不励志，太苦了，让人心碎。
意外的好看
芝加哥街头一家裁缝店里一个晚上发生的故事。狭窄的空间里，黑帮们你来我往，英国老裁缝与所雇的年轻女子，与他们周旋。最后枪声响起，鲜血淋漓。片子颇有点老式风格的密室案件故事，悬念很足，气氛紧张，情节层层推进。男主角表演不错，不露声色，不慌不忙，似乎一切在握。
一出精彩的“舞台剧”。全靠男主像个漩涡，自始至终吸住所有悬念、妙处、爽感。其实也没多惊天动地，最终他真的只是一个裁缝，哦不，cutter，coupeur，揸fit人。
每个人心里都有些秘密。
佐伊·达奇的演技真的是差，只要她开口，就让人出戏。
从故事设定本身的角度，加上悬疑反转的水平来看，这部作品肯定是不下四星。
有些味道，但是反派太弱智了些就会让人觉得这个故事偶然性也太大了
蛮精巧的小成本电影，不过有个bug：爱尔兰帮的高层都被一锅端了，法国帮应该没必要再来求购录音带了吧？
他做的套装才是timeless
简单的场景，不算多的主要人物，依然可以创造优秀的影片，其根本就是有一个出色的剧本
这么好看的传记片不多了，而且这才拍了北野武做漫才前的时光诶。
Well……你坐在桌子旁，摆开你的工具，然后再次开始。”
在一个领域里，不断努力的人，总是自带光环。
“I am a cutter.”
英国演员真是充满惊喜
2022-04-14
不得不说 确实厉害 全程在一个房间里面完成 参与的人不过10个 男主真是演技炸裂...又是一部国内无法过审的片子....
比较中规中矩，想想带点痞气、暗黑、固执、搞笑的北野武，应该可以拍得放飞一点就更好看了。
看着眼熟，应该是头号玩家里那个游戏公司创始人，男主角演技太强了，演技感觉像天神下凡，这他妈是掌控。和沉默的羔羊里安东尼霍普金斯一个级别的。想要补看他的作品了
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