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.
在开头就猜到了大致剧情和结局，但也不妨碍这是一部非常不错的电影。电影场景美丽真实，演员表演纯朴自然，从片子里看到了韩松、朗措的坚守、奉献、勇敢，看到了梅朵的温柔、善良，看到了学生们对知识的渴求，看到了国家教育事业发展越来越好。
要给导演寄刀了！！！剧情到后面过得有点快，但是架不住泪眼汪汪
这个导演挺会抓观众的泪点的，但是吧，情节还是做的不太严禁
孩子们长大后都很有出息啊，作为老师韩松能对他们一视同仁当成自己的孩子爱护教育，很尊敬
看完很感动，现在的城市生活太嘈杂，却很少有人能够静下心去到一些偏远的地方生存，韩松虽然进入藏区，途中的种种困难很难不令人放弃，但是藏区的人民之淳朴，待人之真诚。希望有越来越多的人可以看到，可以重视教育资源不均的问题，可以帮助他们，可以帮助他们的未来。他们的内心是干净的，是充满对未来无限憧憬的。
里面人物角色都很丰满，每一个角色都能单独拿出来做一部电影，比如僧格和朗措，可以拍个续集
这个反应的是过去吧，现在已经没有这样的了吧，你知不知道，人类从历史中学到的唯一教训，就是没有从历史中学到任何教训
本以为男女主结婚故事就结束了，没想到他俩居然用一辈子来养育孩子们，太伟大了！
看了这个电影更坚定了我去藏区走一走的心思，看看大草原，感受那里的风土人情。
曾经我也有一颗梦想的心啊，但是被现实打击的粉碎，但这并不妨碍我佩服成功的人，努力，拼搏，加油，然后成功！
唯一美中不足的是这个感情线，我觉得如果单独拍支教老师克服重重困难，最后留在藏族，这样的故事情节比较戳动我
女主也太伟大了，自己哥哥去世还要忍痛给孩子们做饭，连悲伤的时间都没有，真的很心疼
他也在藏区安了家，和妻子过上平淡的生活，他去学校执鞭上课，妻子便在家做好饭菜。妻子的弟弟进了队伍，结婚前夕回到家中的却是冰冷的、盖着国旗的骨灰盒。韩老师当场晕过去，可是这一-切都不能改变。弟弟是值得骄傲的，他是为国牺牲的。
老师太难了，一方面是需要帮助的孩子们，一方面又是母亲病危，真的很佩服他。
好评
描写一个刚毕业的大学生为“镀金”来到藏区最偏远的小学支教，与那里结下不解之缘，最终留下将孩子们培养成才直到生命终结的故事。演员的演绎非常感人真实，能歌善舞的梅朵美丽善良，对男主的感情真挚细腻，藏区风光美得令人窒息，藏族人民坦诚豁达淳朴的性格给人留下深刻的印象。难得的好题材好电影，应该让更多的人看到。
作为文艺片，剧情差了那么点意思，希望以后能做出更好的电影
给我的感觉就是，大家都很秉持着孩子是花朵是未来信念，为之付出，让他们获得知识，很正能量了
一星给故事，一星给取景，还有一星给全体创作人员。
其实我觉得在这部电影里面，女主也非常的伟大从不抱怨，一直在默默付出，太淳朴了，感觉光环比男主还强大
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