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.
简言之“love&peace”！好好好可爱！
因为没有看过任何前作稍微有一些接不上的陌生感，但还是能从单独的一部作品里感受到希望人类与自然中的其他生物和谐共处的渴盼。Troll们的妈妈为了保护人类没有坐起来和自己的孩子们相聚，她舍弃了很多，但从未远离。每年一次团聚日是不是太少了！Baba小小一只好可爱。
没有看过剧版，所以刚开头有种没交代完的感觉，画风简洁，剧情治愈，很有个性的动画片
我们通常对自己不了解的事物存有刻板印象，误解了那些心怀善意的陌生人。这部动画的另一主旨是爱啊，爱让彼此靠近，希尔达和巨人母亲，巴巴和家人，学生们和巨魔，巨魔们对他们的巨魔母亲，巨魔母亲对于人类，爱真的能化解纷争
节奏很好也很快，没看过以前剧集的也能看进去，挺好。
我也想有魔法
《希尔达》真的是《怪诞小镇》之后最棒的儿童动画了，剧情有趣，老少皆宜，画风治愈，剧本精巧
没看过前两季动画，直接找来这部电影看，居然还能看懂...虽然但是，这很反向巨人，那个大温情结局...乏善可陈
这个故事与其说是巨魔与人类的故事。不如说是母爱的故事
好像还是没解释清楚为什么巨魔妈妈要把自己孩子和希尔达互换啊
只有大眼受伤的世界达成了。。。
Find their stories, feel their feels, it's all about love. 对抗和冲突从不是单向的，和平无法在只有双方的情况下实现，可见第三方的重要性啊，是不可或缺的桥梁。
这个电影应该是对之前动画的补充吧，看完就知道为什么巨魔都想“攻击”城镇，遗憾的是剧情有点平淡。
这次是母爱主题的奇幻续旅。果然改变阿尔伯特的唯一方法就是让他看到巨魔所见。其中有一句台词特别戳中人心：母爱不应该被视作理所应当。
还好吧，哎，小孩子的世界里，就应该黑白分明，善恶分明。
善良勇敢有智慧
mountain king 死得好莫名 自大的人类
喜欢治愈系的片子，结尾温暖加倍啊，这种看着让人心情好
*本电影为剧场版
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