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.
节奏进程剧情线索进程都太仓促，太顺利，没有国家宝藏做的好，如果这个找国家宝藏的那个主角，在套上国家宝藏的名字，在把节奏和剧情搞得沉稳点，就会好得多，但是现在看着也很过瘾。
就真的很平啊，按部就班，完全猜得到的剧情，看的时候没买爆米花真的太难受了
个人评分:6.0。我看的时候老跳戏，我老感觉荷兰弟下一秒就要变身小蜘蛛[捂脸]，剧情又有点太简单，节奏快的离谱，不太喜欢。
“钥匙就是你的指南针。”
挺规整的商业片，飞机上降落那场戏还是挺激动人心的
就最后一段还行，其他的……虽然我喜欢荷兰弟，但还是推荐去玩游戏吧，游戏才是货真价实的冒险传说。
海盗船的点子还是不错的，但还是掩盖不了这部电影的俗气，好莱坞的通病
这哪里是神秘海域…这是七宝奇谋复刻cosplay…..
首先演员就跟游戏人物本身很不贴脸，剧情也没有游戏里呈现的那么精彩纷呈，整个过程显得平淡无奇，没有呈现出有意思的解谜探险过程。
对荷兰弟非常下头，这片子还不如找内森·菲利安来演呢
3.5分。不知道是不是脸的原因，荷兰弟和游戏里内森的气质差距太大了，虽然是练过的身材但是还是很“小鸡仔”。好几处台词和情绪转变有点突兀。好的地方是服化道还是挺精致的，符合游戏，动作场景很过瘾。
我不需要真实，不需要符合逻辑，尽管是很老套的玛丽苏情节，但就是很打动人啊！至少很多年没看这一部电影哭得稀里哗啦了
剧情本身是随意的，但想到结合宗教意向，也就可以理解了。somehow结尾paul的道歉那里还是有点感动。
It’s the pain that brought us to this moment.
跳机和飞船两段打斗还颇有游戏感，但仅此而已。西班牙秘殿那段还以为在导演家的后花园闲逛。当探险没了险，这类型的电影还在探什么？
意外的还不错诶！
在电影院看到宣传海报的时候就估摸到了肯定是个商业烂片，但最终还是去看了，果然是烂片哈哈哈。前三分之二压根与海域没关系，后三分之一虽然有海，但是关系也不大。整体的剧情稀烂，以及各种不走心的剧情过渡和打斗，哪怕是小蜘蛛也拯救不了。远不如他小时候拍的那部什么海啸来着。
整个故事都是套路，中规中矩，哪怕是那些所谓的内杀，也就最后十几分钟的场面还能看看了
我爱的是你，不是你的过去，不是你的光芒，只因我爱你是我遇到你之后最珍贵的信仰
以为是印第安纳琼斯，结果是丁丁历险记（没有侮辱到埃尔热先生吧）
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