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.
我和我的朋友都睡着了^_^ 前面的人在记单词，手机叫了一声strengthen^_^ 是那种笑都笑不出来的无趣Σ(￣ロ￣lll)
我儿子那么爱动画片的小朋友都坐不住了，同场的小朋友全都在玩，导演，我想问问你，拍给谁看的？良心呢？别钻钱眼，要点脸！
不如第一部好看，前段内容大多都是TV剧里面的剧情，不过是重画了的。
略无聊/疑似bug，前一个loop好几次角色出场秒死（存活小于1min）理论上下一个loop就不会出现了&Dalek怎么被骗的没太看明白
不错了，音乐加分。特别后面结尾那里，都是回忆。
回忆杀不仅仅是让我们看原来的剧情的呀，太敷衍了，仿佛看了一个半小时只是为了听最后的经典片尾曲。
陪孩子看的，发现剧情我小时候竟然看过，不过还是挺有内容的
带三周岁多的娃去看很合适的一部儿童电影，内容也不错，教育意义也挺好，没有花里胡哨的东西。十一第一天上午值得。
很一般 没什么惊喜 当博士的演讲沦为说教 也只会拿些烟花把一切都一炸了之
个人评价：
真是太烂了，时间领主陷入时间循环，剧情太弱
陪孩子看的，孩子以为是有霸王龙出现，结果是关爱老人的主题，整部动画实在尬，孩子第一次看动画电影觉得很无聊
前半部分都是以前的动画剧情，后面立意升华为关爱孤寡老人。只能说这一部的目标受众真的是儿童吧？
歌好洗脑，一把子回顾童年了。但是炒冷饭也太敷衍了
萌鸡小队临时撤档，只能看这个，真不好看，小孩子都很躁动不安
给童年打五星吧，但是好像有些内容是动画片里的qaq
小十和十一以后的博士都有点看不咋进去，不知道为什么，感觉剧情也没吸引到我
虽然是动画片但很主旋律，刻画了老年人的孤单和多子多福的热闹生活，激发了观众生孩子的热情。
谁能想到呢，我在图图大电影里听到妹妹你坐船头~
除了戴立克的exterminate终于“杀”了博士以外，没有什么好看的地方
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