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.
毫无故事性..这个系列的重点从来不是小黄人 而是三个女孩 有了她们才有了温情与爱 有了身为人类的共情
可爱就完事了！去电影院之前没看预告，看到中国元素还蛮惊喜的
一如既往的可爱。飞机那段一气呵成，结尾偶像死而复生。全片中国元素多到让我有些坐立不安，在全是鬼佬的电影院里不禁揣测他们听着中文歌看着十二生肖打架时的心理活动。
小黄人可可爱爱。笑点很多。这次的有很多中国元素：针灸，武术，龙，中国城
两个主演，其中一个说着反正世界上没人听得懂的话，这让没字幕的我更容易理解剧情了。然后，我想要那只小黄鸡！！！！
好期待！ 小Gru！//可耐！！！和🐢🐢在澳洲看的第一部电影！
继续小黄人卖萌路线，中国元素还挺多的，所以还是理解不了大陆为什么不能上映。
太好看了，小黄人旧金山唐人街大战恶毒六怪！各种中国元素，片头曲还是中文。只可惜意识形态的原因，有些情节可能教坏小朋友，特别是小黄人冒充机长胡乱驾驶飞机，在国内刚刚出现航空事故的背景下是无法上映了。
牙套萌神是亮点，主要看他憨憨的执著。其他有小黄人的内容都很好笑。但是故事本身真没啥深度，而且大部分时候都过于夸张、嬉闹。特别是当男主角一心想当坏人时，如果没看过之前的电影，真的有点难跟孩子解释，这个片子里究竟
2.5 熊孩闯三藩，中华有神功。都在预告里了~
小黄人的可爱要说不止一遍！reschedule了五次才看上，结果还是睡着了。幸好前面小黄人的卖萌都看到了
从中文主题曲开始就奠定了本作浓郁的贺岁风格。故事实际上只是补足了一些正传的内容，剧情相对独立，甚至不看前作也能流畅观看。主要讲述了格鲁与罪恶六人组的故事，是一部极其适合过年期间在国内上映的影片。
哦不过我还是好爱鲍勃哈哈哈哈哈哈
超级好看的，感觉没看够。
2.5 熊孩闯三藩，中华有神功。都在预告里了~
中国元素好多 可见片方相当重视中国市场 那块石头和瞬息全宇宙联动啦 小黄人一如既往的可爱⚈₃⚈
从中文主题曲开始就奠定了本作浓郁的贺岁风格。故事实际上只是补足了一些正传的内容，剧情相对独立，甚至不看前作也能流畅观看。主要讲述了格鲁与罪恶六人组的故事，是一部极其适合过年期间在国内上映的影片。
我要打十颗星，不，一百颗星!就是咔咔一顿简单直接超快乐!
全場爆笑，坐在前面的老伯尤其笑的歡，哈哈哈哈
讲的是Gru小时候的故事，剧情一般，但全程笑点不断，是我们爱的贱萌贱萌的小黄人了。3.5
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