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.
评论区：真无聊！浪费了生命中的两个小时！但它还是很牛🤙
而当下疫情与战争双重危机下末世感更浓，只能祈求别让寓言变成预言。
定格动画的布景能做到这种程度令人惊叹。前30min还像是线性的故事，随后就真得就是一个无比诡谲多变的梦魇，试图从中去理解具体的意义本身就反意义，如同做梦一样，感觉大于内容本身。
我的天啊这个角度，真《张伯伦：忍辱负重的黑暗骑士》？？？（不行，希特勒这个演员完全不行，完全不行，再搞什么啊）
预告挺惊艳，正片挺失望的，感觉导演没有在好好讲故事，想靠装逼猎奇来吸引观众但那特效和画面还不够装逼
看完觉得很牛逼！尤其是那个操纵时间的梗，你说会不会有一个宇宙时间是倒流的？
美轮美奂，这才是真正值得整个IMAX看的电影1.最大的缺点就是真人出现的部分2.赞美电影摄影画面“每一帧都可以当壁纸”（X）“每一帧都可以当金属专辑封面”（✓）3.好多小细节好可爱4.配乐简单粗暴但是很魔性（褒义）5.想象力极其丰富，爱丽丝梦游地狱
首先画面材质光影表现是一绝 全篇基调是阴暗癫狂的，从各种细节能看出是对人类造成的疯狂社会终点的隐喻 很多事情都是毫无意义的过程，在其中诞生，挣扎再毁灭，让这一切开始又放任其堕落腐烂的神是不是疯了
防毒面具，畸形怪物，养蜘蛛的老头
在看s11 rng打edg间隙看的这部电影，刚开始一度不知道哪个更恶心。看到第三局我悟了，继续看这部电影，竟然发现还可以，电影有很多暗喻和对人类文明的讽刺吧，看不甚懂，图个猎奇
非常棒的定格动画，肉块状的血腥场面，表现的淋漓尽致，极强的视觉冲击，到了足以做噩梦的地步。
确实有点晦涩，不过梵高当年不是也被人当作疯子吗。说不定本片会在电影史里有一席之地呢，哪怕《致命弯道》也有自己的一席之地啊。
别，别给绥靖洗地了。希特勒的诞生是因为一战分赃不均啊！解决一个问题的方法难道是再制造一个问题吗？问也不问就把捷克小弟给卖了，不夜大英衰落史。
Bizzare. 奇幻诡异，光怪陆离的视觉错乱和感官冲击，前半部分片长cult的塑造噩梦维度，使得观众的恐惧极度无限实体化，诡异的造型和夸张极限的造型令观众非常不适，第二三章有序切换为对现实战争的极限嘲讽和极端视觉层次展示，隐约可见的反战主题和混乱秩序缔造的恐怖幻想天才动画之作
现在竟然还有这种电影...一点剧情没有？一点看不下去...视频作品集的感觉...跟堆砌词藻没啥区别就是无聊
柴油朋克+废土朋克 30多年哼哧哼哧搞了这么多模型用了这么多特效，只拍出一个过时的故事。放在1990年，也很老套。（现在7.4分 估计最后在6.5左右 剧情太松散还是默片 二倍速都嫌慢）
太意识流了，开头最吸引我，活生生的地狱感，越往后越看不懂也感觉越无聊了……
梦穿过罅隙蜉蝣在现实的触须之上。勇敢至极的想象力，仿佛一场奇观，意义在这个世界已经丧失了意义。何等的疯，何等的神。
中：哦，这里荣格了，肯定是。
别，别给绥靖洗地了。希特勒的诞生是因为一战分赃不均啊！解决一个问题的方法难道是再制造一个问题吗？问也不问就把捷克小弟给卖了，不夜大英衰落史。
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