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.
A Side 和 B Side 都蛮喜欢。Oh my old Green，why do you looked so blue？
视听体验极佳，可是除此之外好像就没有其他优点了，冗长拖沓，简单、却又故作深沉的内核撑不起整部片子，聊胜于无
听过 巨人穿行山岭的巨响
恐惧和胆怯是人之常情，但拒绝虚无，坦然面对，迎接解脱，也许这正是骑士精神的意义所在。
电影故事取材于中世纪传奇《高文爵士与绿衣骑士》，没有依原著表现骑士英勇的史诗，而是反其道而行之，展现高文爵士面对种种魔幻挑战时的羸弱与不堪，最终呈现出被迫成长的故事，似乎兼带对自然保护的思考？
以未完成的作品作赋，以黑白的历史影像成诗，以蒙太奇的记忆进行纪念。告别在过往战争中的遭遇，告别在迷途里依然真挚的兄弟情谊。
不过 黑白渐渐彩色很喜欢
电影本身又严肃又可爱，就像一个老先生站在你面前，你本以为他要用大道理教训你，没想到他讲到最后却是一个童话故事。骑士最后一刻如果选择软弱，即使能够当上国王也终究是一个再平凡不过的普通人，只有他知道他的骑士精神已经被自己辱没了。既然人终有一死，不妨大胆一点去迈向你的使命，成为你最想成为的那种人。
一个纨绔子弟的成“士”之路，要看懂其中的隐喻象征、考验关卡，势必要了解原著故事及相关背景（或看别人的解读）。导演的改编依然注重形式，并没有什么新的概念或想象。有些东西并没有“为什么”，就是“设定”。影片中的章节小标题，感觉有点浪费了。另外那条出场不少的腰带，略显尬尴。
整体很容易让人联想到第七封印。摄影算亮点了，尤其是两次环形运动来暗示主题，而且灯光配乐甚至烟雾效果都挺出色，几个主角演技也都到位。但寓言体的情节有点散也不好理解，而且剪辑步调忽快忽慢的也不习惯
摩根勒菲与亚瑟王的角力 见证骑士的成长归根到底还是考验诚信和勇气
一起看的，豆包也一起看的片子。爱能改变一切，包括让人独一无二
精华在结尾，走马灯一般的回顾一生正是死亡的征兆，但在主角解开绿腰带的那一刻，剧情升华了。
很文艺很私人的一部作品，当男子把骨灰撒向大海那一幕挺感动人，最后半小时的“钉子”有些难懂。
黑白部分，具有历史背景的偶像破坏活动，(筑于庙堂之上的圣物，工人的鲁莽不再乎，以及成为飞机上的凶兆、火车上的扑克牌桌、童棺中的侏儒)；
以及，这不是一部严肃的骑士电影，它是娱乐性的。
有隐喻，有暗指，不过骑士对死亡的恐惧，想成为真正骑士的挣扎和纠结还是感受到了。画质也不错，叙述的方式也蛮喜欢的
抛开鬼怪的配乐与华美的镜头，这就是一个懦弱之人最终成为骑士，取得自己荣誉的故事。
缓慢悄然地贴近人物面庞，又如神明般四处游弋；庄严肃穆地固定镜头，将景观投射于画面之内。一切松与紧连同情绪释放，忽明忽暗摇曳中，黑化的进入另一层，意大利新现实主义般的历史影像只是时代的旁白。Air，皮兰德娄成骨灰随路途颠簸；Ash，他又渗入空气。棺椁只是黑白，落向大海才渐成彩色，骨灰的移送注定为歧义。大师手笔，保罗为哥哥原始亲切的献礼。
期待越高失望越大，魔幻元素不少，A24也有质量保证，但是故事内核却很单调
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
