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.
3星半，伊桑霍克怎么接了这么一个角色？最后10分钟很精彩。
嗯啊，很金氏，让我觉得自己仿佛又看了一遍小丑回魂类型的片子。。
通灵的电话以及妹妹的梦境都没有怎么解释。男主自救属于是前人铺路？
好多cliche。是不是致敬20世纪stephen king小说改编的一系列b级片？被绑架的内容观感不错。妹妹剧情意义不明。
不错，能看完。意见主要是兄妹情的潦草、同学间感情的潦草····
被一部惊悚片感动哭了Finn is dope！！
恐怖片吧，磨磨叽叽磨磨叽叽。
很棒的结构和剧本！很新颖～尤其是每一种曾经失败的逃生策略都没有浪费！！最后芬尼自信的模样爽爆了
这片子意想不到的很好看，主角兄妹俩非常勇敢，演技都在线，片尾还有个反转~~
有点东西，比预想的好看 。烂片看多了全靠这种隔三差五找到的创意精致的小格局电影来调剂。同类型之前有一个《八四年夏天》也还不错，都可以吊打小丑回魂几条街。就是伊桑霍克这两年老接这种神神叨叨的角色，这还怎么拍爱在4…
这片子意外的好。铺垫细节足够丰富，没有白交待的事儿，节奏紧凑，后面也越发有意思，结局也很有感觉。
3.5 有些片段铺垫啥的看起来对全片剧情毫无意义，电话到最后也没给个解释，妹妹的梦好像也没起到啥特别效果，但神奇的是依旧毫无尿点，芬尼开锁那会紧张到暂停压压惊。
几位小朋友的演技真的很不错，Ethan基本打酱油。剧情就有点迷离和割裂
唯一看点是最后二十分钟，前面一个多小时简除了镜头语言其他直是灾难级别，有种说不出的便秘感，把热门电影的模式全套了，但就是没感觉甚至是无聊……又工整又没新意。
有点意思。气氛不错。小伙子演技不错。故事可。
跟预期相差好大 前半部分平淡又无聊 导演还要故弄玄虚 后半部分主角囚禁也没什么意思 结尾男主反杀算是电影中为数不多的高潮了 就这也能R级 一点也不恐怖 也就一两个jump scare 而且剧情真的好随意 好多地方也没解释 黑色电话的来历 妹妹的通灵能力…很难想象这么点东西是怎么撑起100分钟的
剧情整体比较简陋，两兄妹的细节铺垫还不错，妹妹的表演挺好。
为了把一部短篇小说拉长到一部电影强行加入各种毫无必要的剧情和角色。本来跨越生死，五人合一的剧情可以很感人很热血，偏要拍成jump scare遍地的廉价鬼片。
史蒂芬金是不是用脑电波遥控他儿子写作了，还是说他又想故技重施八十年代初搞伪造假作者的活儿来给自己降热度，这他妈也太金的风格了吧
一半反杀爽片 不知道为什么评价那么高 伊桑霍克为什么接着戏？
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