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.
瞎子去陌生地方挑场子，一个跟头扎人堆了，真猛士也
故事简单，讲的就是一个沧桑的刀客路见不平了一次，然后拔刀相助，最后与姑娘告别。没有缠绵悱恻的爱情，只有一腔孤勇的侠义。其实，真正的侠客应该是这样有所为有所不为的。
很不错，不啰嗦不煽情不卖惨……动作灯光镜头剪辑都很棒！
一点也不像一个完整的作品，像面试的时候在portfolio里显示的一个sample。打斗戏都很好看，故事逻辑也非常简单。但是挺好看的，我觉得刀马的扮演者有了！
短小精悍。想起了《座头市》。渲染还差点，不错了
很有一点愁苦版座头市的感觉；各方面处理得就像动画，考虑到男主演的几乎都是这类型，也许再剪短一点多凑几集就是他个人的《爱 死亡 江湖》hhhhhhhhhh
百战归来酒尚温，繁霜侵鬓转消沉。但愿人间留侠气，不教狐鼠敢相侵。
1用短短74分钟，来讲述一名剑客行侠仗义的心路，作为网大电影可圈可点。镜头调度可见导演懂行的，电影感塑造不错，可惜故事太弱了。
1. 几处场面调度处理的很牛逼，比如开场的枪杀，KTV干架；2. 侯孝贤和陈国富保证了好故事；3. 《牯岭街》里的“小马”谭至刚演完本片后两年死于车祸，不到20岁；4. 高捷复仇那段，台上唱《皇后大道东》的是罗大佑和林强，爆吊；5. 伍佰演唱的《少年吔，安啦！》超有feel。
放在网大里，倒也是可圈可点的作品，毕竟这种程度的剧本，能稍微有些气质出来已经是不错了。
雪中复仇，无论从构图，光影，配乐，还是动作，都呈现出比昆丁塔伦蒂诺杀死比尔的雪中决斗，更具东方韵味的艺术之美。
事了拂衣去，深藏身与名。
只是一个情节短小精悍的复仇故事。但服化道的精良配上古风武侠，再加上舞台剧般的光影构图有着让我着迷的美感。特别是谢苗那一下火焰刀甩刀，简直酷爆
“我在这生活了这么多年，才知道这是一个没有王法的地方......”
带着对网大的成见而来，结果画面之精巧，风格之凌厉，再简单不过的故事所体现出的极简美学，将武侠江湖之快意恩仇诠释得淋漓尽致，把英雄梦还给武林，把谢苗还给那个时代，瑞思拜
好久没看这么过瘾的武侠了，剧情虽然偏弱，但是范儿是真的足，镜头是真的美，谢苗是真的帅！过瘾！
另外替李云龙带个话：程瞎子我告诉你，当年老子教你怎么打枪，现在就教你怎么用刀。
剧情紧扣一个“侠”字，动作设计也颇具古风。日本文化的源头是中华，电影服化道一股日本味，只能说明我们对自己文化的传承和宣传做得不够。
远没有口碑说的那么惊艳，还是对打戏的数量和质量有过高的期待了，褪去小成本网大可能存在的“出人意料”，本片捉襟见肘的预算把短板暴露的明明白白的，西部片的氛围，《座头市》的设定，打戏对标《枕刀歌之尘世行》，历史背景对标《长安十二时辰》，最后一场雪景戏甚至有《杀死比尔》的韵味，导演的野心有目共睹，可怜和西部片之洒脱、北野武之血腥、枕刀歌之流畅、十二时辰之精良、昆汀之刻奇乃云泥之别，又模仿的相当明显，想不对比都难，一对比就露怯的十分尴尬
虽然低成本是网大的标签，但是不多的预算也算是用在了刀刃上。情节也算短小精悍，套用疾速追杀，爽就过瘾。谢苗从青葱少年变成如今的网大扛把子，也算不负一身本事。
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