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.
无限接近5⭐
我很喜欢这种慢吞吞的感觉，现在已经没有什么人拍这种娓娓道来的片子了
片名怎么也不像悬疑片。更像是文艺片。
越往后面越不好看。环境很美，想知道是在哪里拍的。
不是说一味地模仿是错，毕竟艺术创作很多时候都来源于经典，但2022年的犯罪题材电影依旧走不出杀人回忆的光环确实也让人不禁有些感叹
垃圾第二部，简直是愚蠢中的愚蠢，浪费了这么好一个题材
勉强4星半，照上部差点事，不过也很不错啦，上林是真猛，演员挑的好
两女生感情前期铺垫不够导致动机立场不合理
酷刑大赏，切指、断头也就罢了，完全无法忍受挖眼睛的段落，画面过于血腥，令人不适，以至于看完好久还难受😥
这不是2021年拍的，我怀疑这是不是上个世纪的片子，难不成现在人类要退化到上个世纪？！
导演以为穿上哪个时代的衣服，找几个旧宅，就能拍出好故事，配乐太突兀。
两个大的问题：1.过多的情感表达让电影丧失了悬疑片的紧迫感和压迫感；2.悬疑不悬疑，结局太好猜了。当然也有点神话了画像师。
垃圾第二部，简直是愚蠢中的愚蠢，浪费了这么好一个题材
日冈雨中被揍那段好看死了（加一颗星），和上林的两次打戏都好那个，感觉上林会把日冈抓回去抹布（
标准国产悬疑文艺片，类似的有《暴雪将至》《白日焰火》，质量介于院线与网大之间。几场镜头极美，导演若有新片也会看。
片名怎么也不像悬疑片。更像是文艺片。
必须上网看几个脑筋急转弯来恢复一下智商才行。
前半段还有第一部的质感，但是从日冈落马开始就没有那么精彩，剧情中局面的混乱并不应该造成调度的混乱。男角的表现都很拼命，七濑的表现就清汤寡水。最后追狼我很难理解，日冈最终的成长和顿悟又被玄学场景绕回了云雾之中，可能这也是降职后的空手道警探挥之不去的迷惘和执念吧？
果然年轻学人玩制衡，都是一厢情愿的。还没练就老奸巨猾 又舍弃了年轻热血，不尴不尬的年纪，不温不火的时代。需要一些出格的刺激和别有用心的安排才能引人耳目。至此，系列已从昭和转至平成，再往下拍不下去了。因为令和的精致和内敛已容不下来自遥远昭和年代的粗犷和跋扈了。
这部并不是柚月裕子写的第二部《凶犬之眼》改编的电影，所以比起第一部《孤狼之血》在故事性上差远了，但血腥场面升级了。切手指都是小事，挖眼球才让人作呕，那画面真是不敢看。故事结尾处两个人火拼的场景就像两个小孩子在打架十分搞笑。要说优点，那只有演员了。铃木亮平的演技非常好，其他作品里都是好爸爸、好哥哥的角色。在这部电影里把一个单细胞的杀人不眨眼的黑帮混混演的活灵活现。看样子《凶犬之眼》、《暴虎之牙》这2本小说拍成电影只是时间问题了。
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