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.
内嵌的纪录片节奏比正片好，看到一些不一样的世界。
世界上没有完美的婚姻，
三星半。很日常很温暖的家庭剧，或许有点狗血但生活总需要点甜味。
温暖 有趣 真实 爱情之上有个孩子真的不一样 7.75/10
故事的最后，我终于能理解用喜剧的方式来讲述是多么正确的选择了。悲喜交加，笑中带泪，讲述顺畅自然，浑然天成。最后的彩蛋。
LGBT也一样，逃不过有了娃之后可能会出轨会撒谎，保罗没有做错任何事，只是婚姻与爱不同罢了，即使你倒了我的红酒我剪烂了你的Prada，我们之间依然是真爱过，毫无疑问，里昂很幸运。电影整体演技好自然，中年组很抓马，青年组很可爱。
很drama的剧情了，小演员还有进步空间，女主哥哥长得真好看的说
任何人的组成，都是千丝万缕的爱拼凑在一起才诞生，前因后果并不重要，如何下去也不重要，你我才重要。对于很少看同影的来说，都很少去想过这样的家庭，也会有家长里短的矛盾，甚至更多，我想过两个人都是99%的奇妙设定，却也不及0.01%的戏剧冲突。另外三个孩子之间不也挺好磕的吗，已经是我2022的十佳之一了。
挺好
挺好的！！！纪实性和完成度都很高，剧本也很不错！就是bgm太多了然后又不要贴切，扣一分
出轨从来不是一个人的事 或者说从来不止出轨一种伤害感情的方式 这么尖锐的真相 不知道多少人能听懂
所以只要有爱，而不要去区分是什么类型的爱。
现在讲西语一股意大利面的味道。故事讲得很到位，drama家庭剧
同性恋的孩子就一定是同性恋吗？出轨不是一个人的问题？最后还是离婚共同抚养孩子，有点遗憾，也是现实。到底婚姻如何能长久……
舒适，虽然不能认同电影中的出轨理念，但是两位爸爸之间的暗自较量以及围绕儿子的三角恋都发展的比较完整有趣，整个来说是蛮有意思的
同性恋的孩子就一定是同性恋吗？出轨不是一个人的问题？最后还是离婚共同抚养孩子，有点遗憾，也是现实。到底婚姻如何能长久……
同性婚姻和异性婚姻一样，如果不是网飞青春片，就会伤人。那既不是同性恋的错，也不是异性恋的错，是婚姻的错。
是一部也许可以促进一个社会进步的作品，也是一部带给我许多思考与情绪的作品。从我自己的角度评价，是可以给到9/10的优秀作品。
这是非常理想化的结果
选材真的蛮有角度的，但是如果是其中一个儿子，最终该如何结局才是更符合现实的
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