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.
这类题材的鬼电影我已经烦了，千篇一律的男主不相信女主，女主生气，最后反杀，这类剧情毫无意义
罗马尼亚的地铁这么空的吗？🐰
最后的反杀看得我一愣一愣的，这个设定让人一头雾水
文本很老气，女导演要表达的女性困境一开始就已经说清但在随后一个小时里并没有更多的深入以至于整个故事都缺乏变化和惊喜，倒是选角很合适，麦卡很适合演这种身处困境中的孤独女性，而戈曼就很适合演寡言的变态
最后的反杀看得我一愣一愣的，这个设定让人一头雾水
前面都很好，最后BE也可以啊，为什么要诈尸？不能理解，一头问号
气氛做得不错，画面也养眼。作为类型片，主题探讨和情感表达都点到为止，也没问题。
那些隐藏在真实生活中的罪恶，正如同电影中体现的那样，捉摸不定，含混不清，却又如影随形，绝大部分人，无法在生活中的罪恶发生之前锁定真凶，而身边人的猜疑和漠视，更是将受害人推入绝望的深渊。影片最后，女主虽然奇迹般地反杀，可那更像是导演为了宽慰观影者的心灵而编织的童话，反观现实，我们只能看到受害者的墓碑。
氛围很到位，想起来之前看过的《84年夏天》，差不多的剧情，都很简单，很有意思
反杀也就算了，最后也没说清楚这个男人杀人的动机是啥，女主的后续生活是怎样，就这样一个镜头给观众充分的想象空间？
变态不能一眼就看上去像变态呀。。。。
只有女性才会深深共情这份恐惧，也只有女性能亲手解决掉这份恐惧。
本来剧情挺好的，但是通过声音吓唬人的恐怖片很低级。
4.最后女主大动脉都被隔了，流了这么多血，还活着？而且还能站起来！！
看的快睡着了，除了稍微养眼外，剧情太拖沓了。
虽然故事普通且简单，但节奏把控、背景音乐、氛围感都做的不错，流畅不拖沓，挺好。
7分。为什么不拉窗帘？真所谓，就怕贼惦记。
信任太重要了
男人讲理性，女人讲感觉。全片凶手没有露出马脚，最后就石锤了？如果，我是说如果，所有的事都拿这个逻辑去判断，啥都别干了。
异国他乡语不通，卷帘对楼有人盯。
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
