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.
0506血肉横飞的大尺度重口味动作片，拳拳到头，镜镜鲜血四溅，北欧的自然风光和家居风光一如既往的好，全片最大亮点在我看来是老爸发威那一段，简直就是一个无所畏惧的老英雄！
无脑爽片，各种反杀。光头哥真的抗揍，这片里受委屈了，要被爆菊那段演技爆炸👍🏻光头嫂更猛👍🏻。
又血腥又好笑。减一星因为暴躁老头竟然死了，真的很喜欢他！！
堪称史上最怂男主，槽点不要太多，急死人！！！！
血腥程度爆表 笑点也贯穿始终 夫妻关系完全不老生常谈 本人的年度最佳.Noomi女神演一个演技奇差的女演员实在莫名好笑 所以说挪威人均家有游艇是真的【
每个人都有脑子脱线的时刻，然后组合成了这部可爱的反转喜剧
这种番茄酱横飞的电影，还挺想看韩国人翻拍的~
这两口子 平时是不是互相练习杀人完 太抗揍了
拿什么拯救婚姻呢？生死离别，相爱相杀，一起干个大事件，遭遇个山崩地裂，大无语？嗐~问题和答案本身就还挺矛盾的，真要问如何拯救的话。那时的婚姻，还真的有必要拯救吗？
年轻父母的失衡
期待过高了，以为是一层套一层的反转爽片，看点是两夫妻到底为啥相爱相杀，结果三个逃犯那里就开始出线了，跟想象的完全不一样。有几个地方还是看着挺疼的
21年年度惊喜。剧情反转有趣，cult味十足
直男的屁股摸不得，调侃metoo、好莱坞种族政治正确、LGBT、名人消费苦难，女主角像莫妮卡贝鲁奇
7.2/10 血腥与黄段子齐飞。尤其是藏台球那里巨内涵。
挺好玩吧，可惜了老爸了……20220219
又黑幽又恶心。后面节奏有点慢，情节也一般，不够刺激，男主挨了那么多拳按说早该死了，三个贼也只是看起来彪悍，把脸按到割草机也不需要那么费力吧。。但是也算不错了，割草机割肠子和船桨搅胳膊还挺对应的。结尾没啥必要。。血腥的爽片很不好拍了，更多还是要靠戏剧张力，不能纯靠血浆。
用非常有意思的情节串起婚姻生活的种种反差，夫妻间勾心斗角的那些事，暴力场面和剧情反转一个接一个，血浆也撒的适可而止，虽然有点略长，不过依旧胜在节奏，称得上年度B片。
剧本编得很赞，反转一个接一个，让人看得很过瘾，明明是一部CULT猛片，但中间竟然还隐隐夹着黑色幽默，实在是赞！强烈推荐！
生活是最好的剧本
★★★☆ 确实有被其中一个反转惊喜到。这种单纯在两人中相爱相杀不去祸害别人的感情我是真挺爱的hhh
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