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.
8.0，春节档最佳。以小见大，故事简单但讲的很好，不用刻意煽情和喊口号，有血有肉的人物本身就足够动人。国师不愧是国师，命题作文发挥成这样，🐮。
影片并没有过多的赘述和铺垫，将视角着重聚焦了抗美援朝的一场狙击战役，开场即直入主题，双方斗智斗勇的拉锯战紧张刺激、直抓眼球，虽然除了章宇別的演员都是新人，但每个人物的特质描绘非常鲜明，几个角色都让人印象深刻，几处小高潮能感受到那份情绪感，不觉间就泪流不止。国之伟大，家之安康，都离不开这些无名英雄先烈，向他们致以最深的敬意。
章宇很wild。其他就当老谋子陪女儿拍习作吧。
土屋摘了眼镜算是じゃない方里的顶级素人了。
选角就超成功，放那不动就已经把人物演透了。演北野武的甚至还形似他。流畅。用蒙太奇叙事，挺有新意。非常感人
好看的战争片基本板，大错没有，瑕疵挺让我不舒服的。中美双方的荧幕形象反差很大，中方是有家人的青年，美方关注个人荣誉。结尾表明这是个纯虚构的故事，假而爽。我的历史观来到今天，太需要把人当人了，拿掉区分、直面人性，是我更期待看到的
这部真的很好。冷静、克制、精致，又像千斤重的一个橄榄。
我喜欢的题材，我喜欢的历史，竟然拍成这样。。。我也是有点郁闷。。。
大年初一看的第一部电影、章宇的演技真的没得说、很感人！值得一看！最后五连依然在！
这是一部真正的电影。
只能算一部普通的战争片 剧情单薄 细节渲染 可谓是国产这类片子的标配😂看完即止 没有延伸 没有回味 不过亮亮干净的眼神 最后一个狙击手的演技还是给我留下了深刻的印象
3.5吧。严格来讲，这是一部一般的电影，每个桥段都似曾相识，构思上，设计上也无独到，新颖之处。如果没有北野武加持，这就是部很一般的电影，可这偏偏就是北野武的半部传。可是依然没办法，可能这片能感动北野武，但无法感动我，就算从上世纪九十年代就迷恋北野武，我也无法因为他而感动——这片实在是太套路了，太不北野武了。唯一有情绪触动的两处是北野武原声唱《浅草小子》的两处，第二处还被老年北野武的妆给破坏了——直接让本人出镜岂不是直接拉升了影片的冲击力？！怎么想的。
最后讲笑话都讲出泪点了，还是厉害。师徒情也是相当感人了。影帝很努力，但他还是他自己。基础很好，但过程还是有些处理太戏剧化了，有点为煽情而煽情了。
柳乐优弥嗓音和面部抽搐都有努力模仿，
1.What? 没想到这部《浅草小子》竟然是关于「北野武」的传记片。电影改编自北野武写的小说，然而他却没有选择自编自导或客串乃至参与制片(监制)等工作。2.柳乐优弥饰演的北野武，其相貌时常没能让我联想到北野武，而开头和结尾特效妆容比较像北野武的段落则略感违和导致出戏；3.现在回想起《红鳉鱼》，北野武与二宫和也饰演师徒之时，应该会回想起他与他师父的曾年往事吧？……
通过多年张艺谋电影观察可知老谋子还是适合拍剧情简单的戏
后半段：我擦，这张艺谋拍的。
中规中矩吧，没啥惊喜，除了柳乐优弥演得那一举一动实在太像了
最后去送别师傅那一段，拍的最棒，有笑有泪的好电影。
章宇真是个不错的演员，听着这贵州话（分不清西南官话，章宇是贵州人吧）还是挺亲切的。能在这么简单的几个场景下拍得这么有故事感，真是很厉害了。
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
