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.
Will和Sean之间的情感于双方坦诚的过程中逐渐建立，每一次的交流都更深入一步，最终产生能够延续一生的共鸣，这部分也是电影的主要内容。而준경父子之间的感情变化产生于短短几句对话，有关愧疚与感谢，是亚洲电影涉及家庭时的常见处理捷径。特别是不认路还偏要送人去考场那段真的太强行了。但无奈大部分观众仍然吃这一套。
3、朴正民演高中生太成熟了。允儿YYDS，出名这么多年了还这么水嫩。
允儿真好看，她到底怎么会喜欢上这个穷小子的
故事讲的挺好，最近看的电影一直憋气，难得有一部不错
结尾的BGM竟然是《Reality》，五星！
超级喜欢林允儿
亲情线和爱情线很割裂，一个温情，一个无厘头
基调感觉像日影，经过韩式煽情包装后，催泪效果显著，还好是基于真实故事改编，不然就过度美化了。
自我和解…
男主角长得好像我失散多年的好朋友张永平！很好看的电影！
从一个小的切入点讲故事 也算是很不错了 有笑点有泪点
看着真累，催泪也不是这样玩的么！
背负着母亲和姐姐死亡的自责的父子，天才少年功夫不负有心人带领村民建成了简易车站两元站。
开头是特别美好的青春恋爱喜剧，到中间就变得有点诡异了，男主有点精神分裂的感觉，结尾后面竟然又变成家庭情感大戏，这豆瓣的评分真的有点看不懂，三星6分最多了。
美好的童话故事，还有甜到齁的爱情。最后和父亲和解那段太催泪，真的是奇迹啊。
林允儿比电影好看。这部电影完全没有cp感啊，就是被编剧强行凑了起来。
影片洋溢着亲情的温暖，善良的伟大和坚持的力量，有兄弟姐妹的人生才算完整啊。
还行吧...奔着朴正民来的 说实话挺失望的。林允儿那条线其实可以更好的，但看到最后才发现这条线完全可以删掉 姐姐那条线 前期还挺温情的...后来越看越像爱情 明明可以更好的片 可惜了
全村的希望，天才少年坚持为闭塞山村修筑车站，治疗童年内心创伤，与父亲、也与自身和解的故事。
前3/4还不错，场面和小情节的设计蛮好看，笑点很密集。可惜故事线和感情线两不相干，割裂感严重，完全可以剪成两部电影。父子俩最后的和解和交流也落入煽情的漩涡，整整11分钟的煽情戏啊，扣半星。感觉创作者想要好多东西，爱情讲一段梦想讲一段亲情讲一段，不会取舍；也因为姐姐的梗冲击力太强，后面很难再推上去了。演员方面，最大亮点是允儿，这种活泼、机灵、搞怪的角色因为和她本人性格接近，非常讨喜。
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