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.
有头号玩家，楚门的世界，无敌破坏王，心灵奇旅的影子
【A-】
虽然有点中二可是真的很好笑很热血啊哈哈哈哈哈哈在电影院笑到肚子痛！！！美队彩蛋绝了！就是结尾程序员突然变恋爱脑有点俗！
想二刷。。
电影院看其实还可以，主要问题是剧情太散了节奏感也不太好，整体的设定其实蛮有趣，但太浅了，确实禁不太起推敲
3.5到4 。对我而言，它更像是西部世界的温情版。只不过西部世界已经和与现实融合。而它还是依赖online而已。毁灭服务器那里又让我想起到了去年看过的特德姜的《呼吸》里有一个短篇，而精神内核也略老套。更像是借NPC之口来改变或者说激励现实中不敢改变自己，对新事物和新世界驻足不前的怯懦的我们。可能最近我一直处于逃避可耻但很用的状态。所有电影前半段很难让我非常欣赏。而且前面的那些致敬和彩蛋我也不是非常熟悉。直到快结束时突然出现的美队的盾牌和光剑。OMG。还能这么玩呢。女主依然带着浓浓的小变态的气质。很难想像居然是女码农。还是游戏里样子更贴她。不过最后她依然选择了现充的生活。那一句，我是写给你的一封情书。很难让文艺少女又玩过角色扮演网游的我不得不得心甘情愿多加一粒星。
跳票了一年多，终于上映了，总算质量很高。有笑点有泪点，还让我想起了很多初玩游戏时的傻劲，彩蛋更不必说了，恰到好处——埃文斯嘬了口咖啡，“what **？”
世界观不需要多新颖，主线剧情和节奏可以公式化，但细节上灵光满满，就能很好看，比如原地跳和不停蹭墙的玩家，还有一些个令人忍俊不禁的慢镜头和客串。然而大局上缺乏深意也让愉快的观影结束后，少了一些回味。
taika watiti is the biggest surprise
有些地方还是不错
喜剧版头号玩家+楚门秀+西部世界，游戏设定出彩，娱乐感很足，满满都是对NPC的关怀。无节操钱老板乱入和美队闪现惊喜。
好有心机的技术宅。我也要把自己捏成杨幂去游戏里泡帅哥。 （突如其来美队了嘤嘤嘤）
后半段剧情一整个大崩盘，但是该笑的地方还是狠狠笑了，确实很有趣，是不错的爆米花片，但是笑完发现自己好像也就是这个世界的NPC，谁泪目了。7.4
当你知道世界都是虚构的，存在没有任何意义，那么过好每一天就是最好的活在当下。
近于《头号玩家》的姐妹篇，虽然结尾太迪士尼，维提提过于爱演，但题材有趣，且能用小细节设计连接起不同位面观众。迪士尼还是财大气粗啊。
游戏迷看得可是H了。梗很多，看懂一个笑一个，盾牌出来美队出场可以说很爆笑了。结局还是落入了爱情，少见埋的这么深的爱情戏了。
从伦理的角度，人类对于AI应该抱有什么样态度的讨论，近20年都没什么新东西。对于一部2021年上映的新瓶装旧酒的电影来说，编剧其实挺不容易的。
NPC对决麻花腾，打破常规，自由＝失控。其实更接近《世界旦夕之间》和《源代码》，到头来是部不错的爱情片。朱迪科默今年出镜率真高。★★★☆/7.3
我也会唱玛丽亚凯莉的这首！
看个游戏电影想起了我以前玩模拟人生、模拟城市。
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