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.
这过程，一直放在我心底就像
完完全全是没看懂，就单纯喜欢大卫洛维的表达，美术、配乐等等，连节奏都很喜欢，一点儿没感觉是故弄玄虚。可见电影是个复杂的艺术形式，出路并不只有故事和角色两条。
乍一看啥玩意，看下来其实没有那么不堪，帮winfred找脑袋都那段是真的也要把我的头给笑掉哦，最大的问题应该是主题模糊吧，要不然就是我没看懂，我应该确实没看懂，不知道是关于骑士精神的主题，还是关于死亡与生命，又或者是人的成长？男人的成长？🤔
一部集孩童的天真浪漫与成人的阴暗色彩的童话寓言，每一帧都是油画，每一个停顿都是诗章，铺面而来的复古风更是华丽，还是我喜欢的那个David Lowery。
懦夫一生数死，英雄身首异处，多么有意境的故事，这部影片值得更好的评价。
仙姑神兽采花岛，天上人间马戏团。
色彩清奇，画面绝美。看得云里雾里，但值得反复回味。(寻找骑士精神之旅，绿色即永恒？)
动作戏约等于零，节奏超级慢，在爆米花电影当道的现代，看这部片稍微少一点耐心估计都会很难认为这是一部好看的电影，但是沉下心来看会觉得还是一部不错的电影。
如果真的能以单单摄影而不是数字特效做到这些画面的确是蔚为可观的。而另一方面电影的叙事层次的确单一，聚焦在高文一个人身上的视角固然能使人物形象更加清晰但也过于单薄。高文骑士成长道路倒是合理，不是一定要通过考验而是要认识到错误这点的确是反映了基督教条的普适性。这样来看高文迈出城的第一步就算成功，成功是一个结果，而荣耀确是一个过程。
一流的配置，二流的故事，三流的讲述。电影起了一个很好的开局，但后面却走了公路片的模式，镜头、画面、服装都非常美，现实与神秘放在一起也很有看懂的冲动，但还是一路不知所云。收尾的凝想还算一个不错的段落，往往是回闪，而它却是看向未来。终于，人头落地也就轻松了。
“祝你快乐，亲爱的主，在这个圣诞节。”全片充斥着神教色彩，各种斑驳的色彩和仪式化的音乐昭告着骑士选择的神圣与必然。作为一部剧情片来说，故事线实在散漫。节奏略带散文的舒缓，很多写意功能的场景。骑士英勇上路，人物动机到底是什么呢。
虽然与预告片期望出入比较大，全篇充斥着诡异的气氛——阴郁的场景，梦魇般的故事，沉闷的对白（其实就是一则长篇寓言），但古典油画般的质感，高超的摄影真的是太美了。（好喜欢那顶王冠）
我看不懂，但我大受震撼。（奥斯卡最佳服化道可以冲起来了）
用视听用状态来描绘
没有明白很多表意的符号与道具，大体意思就是试炼闯关，成为骑士
除了服化道，表演剪辑叙事好烂啊莫名其妙，白瞎这么好看的海报，最后彩蛋是小女孩戴上皇冠与时俱进端水大师
拍摄水准很高，非常细腻，节奏慢，长镜头用了不少。情节没多少逻辑性，像北欧神话风格，反正没大看明白，又像寓言故事，说明，要守承诺。艾丽西亚自然是又脱了。
其实A24的恐怖片我总觉得装神弄鬼不够爽，但是我就是乐意一边吐槽一边继续追着这家公司看.
真的好棒。大卫·洛维是我的菜诶。对那些对亚瑟王有很深了解的人来说，看这片估计会格外High吧？是一部“好看”的电影，很多隐喻看不出来，但单从美学和主题（学会赴死和骑士精神），认识本片后也不显得那么无趣。
画面走毒德风，叙事氛围走克鲁苏方向，故事是预言，符号化的东西还不太够劲儿
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