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.
最油膩的其實是配樂，但不妨礙在國產電影維度交出了一份好的成績。對於習慣逃避真實城市風情和缺乏中產描繪的中國商業電影，那份在地性和不做作都挺珍貴，最喜歡的是一些對白的subtext寫法以及結尾周野芒的solo演出，情緒高潮竟是由副線周野芒一人完成，且並不失效，這其實滿破格。兩岸三地女性新導演們在文本角度碾壓男導演們幾乎已是客觀事實。
有一些小钱，有两把刷子，有老也有小，
印度电影就是每每让我的第一感叹都是怎么这么长！
三哥社会问题拼盘大串烧。屏幕前的观众就如屏幕里的屁民一样容易煽动，电影开始时候被煽动一次，电影结尾时候又被煽动一次。
结局一段的处理方式没看懂啊。不塑造律师，也并没有把副督察弄得更丰满
总体来说是（不必要的）内容大于形式的电影。
后半段的法庭辩论反转太精彩了。
假如没看过《控方证人》和《误杀瞒天记》我一定会觉得是佳作
厉害极了，112分钟实打实地熬过去，却好像一句话没有说。到底是什么样的时代容得下一群人如此自我陶醉，如视无物地活在梦里？日新月异，每不到半年街道便要再被从头到脚美化一回的上海，到底能留得住多少濒死的记忆，又能供多少人游戏般起居和做梦？只怕电影拍的既非上海，也非人情，更不是文艺，只不过是幸运地站在中产尖端的人群如何自我消解、恬不知耻的意识形态罢了。
民众的声音太好引导了
评论区跪族又定体问了哈哈。后一个小时确实出乎意料，从一开始的谋杀案，以为讲女性的安全，到煽动革命以为是颜革，媒体舆论，程序正义，学阀延毕逼死学生，到最后的政治惊悚。主题一变再变，感觉塞进了太多东西，导致每个都讲不好。最后十几分钟还要反转又反转，弄了一出复仇记，一出良心觉醒，特没意思。
“因为你的沉默就是他们的通行权”看前面就想道我们的唐山事件，面对不公总有人选择站出来
不得不承认，光看前半部我还以为是个印度版V for Vendetta，中间12 Angry Men。过分青春热血卫道，老衲我差点直接掐了。幸好叙诡反转还是挺有趣的，坑也都填上了。总结一下这就是个只看脸和出生的国家，额，噢那其实咱们差不多。不过总是莫名其妙的唱歌抒情真是打断节奏(这是正剧啊，有必要搞Bollywood那一套么）。说实话拍摄制作方面真不怎么样，5星全是给剧本的
全程无尿点，虽然很早已经大概猜出了故事的脉络，但是依然会让观众充满期待下一个反转的优质电影。电影本身围绕“权利”探讨了很深刻的社会问题，让观众思考：什么是公平？社会是否有绝对公平？什么是真相？是谁带给了我们真相？我们该相信什么？我们又该相信谁？媒体是什么？他们代表谁？谁又可以代表弱势群体？ 电影想表达的内容太丰富了，所幸的是，通过了一个系列性有牵绊的故事，导演和全体工作者让观者感受到了他们想表达的，并且深思出电影外更丰富的东西。很热血沸腾的电影，就像其他观众说的，印度电影在批判现实方面，已经有了韩国电影那味儿了，不管现实究竟是不是黑的，但总还有人能够有公开的渠道去表达出阳光且正义的看法，是令人感动的。
这密集的反转让人闻到了商业电影金钱的味道...
正义，究竟是有多么多么难才能覆盖地球？这部电影的深度，已经穿透了地心，直接穿到了每个看过它的人心中，每一个善良的人心中！层级的差异化把舆论，法律，警察等等都赤裸裸展示在了台面上，赤裸得令人发指。千言万语，情认真去看，这部电影今年奥斯卡拿不到我直播洗头！PS.这印度的正义的律师一个比一个帅，一个比一个牛逼。 或许这部电影揭开了人类社会的本质，永远都是对立的两方——宿敌在战斗，人类社会本身就是一场“体制的屠杀”。
土耳其绑架撕票，不妨碍夜夜笙歌；
太精彩了，今年四大电影节这部电影没获奖，我TM绝对不认可。
同热评，这部剧包含了如此多的现实话题，让我惊讶，连印度片都这么敢拍了……真的厉害
反方律师和法官也有点弱，一个就在那听着，等人家说半天说完了才反对，一个是直接说秃噜了嘴，让人抓住把柄
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
