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.
地缚灵和多重人格鬼，第一次出现在涂鸦上有几分可笑。而后与多重时间线交叠后，字迹反复书写抹去就成了有质感的恐怖。
一班老戏骨很棒，但是一众配角的演技实在辣眼睛啊
恶俗却没有太多不适感、宫藤官九郎尺度把握的不错
这个系列属于，本来也没多好，你也知道它会越拍越烂。但是看的时候肯定会开心
所有的故事总要有一个结尾，所有的闹剧也要有一个收场，三池我估计是不是自己也没能想到这片能拍到第三部，所以在第二部的时候感觉把这片的热情和灵感都用的差不多了，所以导致在看的过程你一直提着劲在想要来了要来了，无厘头的天马行空要来了，可惜一次次的滑了过去，不能说差，只能说预期太高了
痛失港味！！这片子看了一会就看不进去了，感觉配音不贴脸 剧情也乱糟糟
时空交错加大头黑瞳beatbox，中规中矩
港片一边放不下身段，一边投入有限，想拍深又有所顾忌，所以最终就失去了灵魂。
典型港片模式，方中信很charm，怀念智叔，其它就没什么好说的了
以为家人在看tvb 完后说是电影 (･_･;
谭耀文，宽了……
所有有多重性格的地缚灵那句话是男主第一次进入并留下的，之后的剧情都是男主不断的重复死前的生活。
我觉得挺不错的，多线叙事我觉得是个亮点，看起来并不吃力
虽然剧情很单薄无厘头，但是至少结局爽到了，而且演员都不错
不管怎么说，三池的这种荒诞无稽，鬼马神叨，还是很抓人的，谁的心里没有天真烂漫的那一面呢
2013~2021，历经8年，卧底之旅迎来了完结篇大结局。第三部可以说是黑帮片、警匪片、科幻片、奇幻片、灾难片的合体，当然首当其冲的是喜剧片。
一帮老同志也不容易了 一般般吧 可能香港电影现在大部分也就这样了
适合自己在家开投影看吓自己
老套的废弃大楼闹鬼为舞台，时间交错为内核，去猜男主在哪个节点死掉的
典型港片模式，方中信很charm，怀念智叔，其它就没什么好说的了
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