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.
看这个电影的原因是因为路易ck的一个段子，谁懂
童话都如此美好，成人的世界都是十分肮脏。这样大的动物，如果在城市中，就一定会被大家嫌弃，只有真的爱动物的那帮人才会想办法适应和维护它。绝大多数人不会的，没过多久他们就会觉得是威胁很碍事了。儿童片都这样，只能放低岁数观赏，还不错。我是很有兴致的看完了，一直以来我发现，只要有童心，看儿童片最好放弃逻辑，不然你不会体会到多少快乐和幸福。。
大红狗的概念并没有做出特点，剧作属于上个世纪的文本，完全没有新意，也许小孩子看会更喜欢一些吧。
2.5⭐特效其实挺烂的，挺好的狗狗做的跟地狱恶犬似的，只有狗狗眼能看，剧情设置尤其反派像20年前一样古早味，最致命的是动物电影里缺乏真正的情感，和特效一样人工感十足
中国版夺宝奇兵，古董版爸爸去哪儿，低配鬼吹灯鉴宝大电影，剧本也算能自圆其说，说了很多古董黑话和历史演义，也算是颇有看点，李现这个角色演的差，又娘又阴郁，很在意的是，吃了那颗几十年的奶糖到底会不会拉肚子
有种浪费了题材的感觉。
演员阵容看起来好像可以，也算是有名的ip，拍成这个样子，每个人都在不同的片子里，也挺神奇的。虽然你大爷还是你大爷，但装瞎的大爷好眼熟，硬汉小伙看起来一表人才，说话就破功，蔫坏儿和大红袄，how old are you
好萌的大红狗狗，除了配乐太糟糕，其他的酷死了！
大修勾很可爱
喜剧，红的有点假，看得有点烦躁，拆家一把好手
整个电影从台词到情节到演技极其尴尬……难以直视……但是狗确实很可爱。狗——唯一亮点
大红狗好可爱好治愈……整个故事很精彩很温暖哎，值得更高的评分。对成年人来说幼稚得刚刚好🥰
是没有看过剧集的原因吗…这种东一榔头西一棒槌的闪现方式是真实的吗，人物和线索出现的方式也太随意了吧。
故事流畅，质感很差。审美较为苏联，古玩行业很封建。年度最没用女性角色黄烟烟，最膈应场景“好生养”，拜托男明星有点长进混了这么多年还不能用原声出演，你葛大爷并不是只能演老年纪春生。
5.8吧……剧情设定有点老套，马伯庸所有影视化作品感觉都空有逼格
童话故事，低龄儿童适合！！告诉小朋友，自信点，你可以的！！
古董纹路的特效动画很赞，把内里和成色的编排做的非常到位，至于剧情和人物，内地电影市面上的人物设定，逻辑空乏，角色转变分分钟，滥用煽情，其实没啥有新意的地方，改编过多次的小说，到这部电影也仅仅是演员的粉丝狂欢，没啥可说道的地方。★★☆
你和我还有大家一起打败邪恶反派公司，一点点魔法！奇迹人生！
中规中矩吧，对一个文物爱好者来说还是对胃口，但很多衔接经不起推敲，可能是电影时长的限制吧。葛优的煽情戏感染不到我，是为了煽情而煽情，难以共鸣。（很甜蜜的观影体验）
反正下饭不想动脑子的时候看还蛮合适的。就是那种合家欢电影。
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