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.
2. 貧窮是不分國度的 反倒是尊嚴與文化讓這個世界的人井然有序的分開
当你无力与人生一战，请相信一定在未来不论多远总有拯救的时候。
日式震后创伤片，很平，很拖。
10-2 断断续续看的，看到说口碑不好，所以也没有那么认真对待了。歌是真的好听，就是自己英语也太烂了吧，17年初开始听的，也看了偷录版，也去百老汇看过了，竟然感觉还是第一次听这些歌，第一次了解剧情一样，对于人物之间的关系和动机又更了解了。也许就是不那么适合改编成电影吧，只属于舞台。
题材立意很好的，就是内容拍得薄了点了！社会保障很深刻的社会问题呀
边缘人用一个谎言来获得温暖的关怀，却又在坦诚后跌回冰冷的谷底，原来做自己的结果真的是无人知晓、无人在意～挺好的一个题材，但改编成电影的话真的没必要照搬这么多歌曲，一言不合就开唱，不仅打断了叙事节奏，内心想法直接用歌曲表达出来也很不电影～
用极端方式向社会发出诘问可取吗？人是真的救不过来的，只能有选择性，善良的人更无奈吧，身处其中，ta不是更该懂得这道理吗也做着近乎一样的事。阿部宽真的好像三石弟弟长大后
致那些没能受到保护的人们
在TIFF首映口碑崩盘加资源外泄的情况下，把期待值一再调低。然而到了影院之后，熟悉的感动却不断推进，甚至连新加的Alana solo也变的顺耳了起来。DEH影版最终证明了有些故事不是所有艺术形式都合适，在大银幕下细节被放大和添加的情况下，作为原剧粉丝的情感更加充沛了（特别是Connor最后的影像），但相对的“水土不服”也显现出来（Ben有的演出更适合舞台）。虽然很不喜欢删掉第一首歌的改编，但AA和JM演绎的“母亲”再次力挽狂澜拯救了这部片子。其实DEH从某种层面上说社会意义更大，也希望大家对于mental health投入更多的关注吧。
我们也该多拍点反映疾苦的电影 天天喜剧太脱离生活了
五星里有一星是冲动打分。这并不是一部探案片，也不是悬疑电影。最让人在意的反而是在灾难过后的时代，片中人们无处可发泄的无明悲伤和愤怒。就像此时此地中的我们，想为一切找到理由，让情绪找到出口。正因为如此，片尾阳光下的大海才会如此打动我，一切都会过去，都会显得不那么重要。
八年过去已经看不下另一部壁花少年了 本身也很差
如果不是阿部宽，佐藤健，就不会去看，意外觉得女主不错
将社会性议题与刑事案件推理相结合，配合现在与过去两条时间线穿插式拍摄手法，既充满悬疑反转也让观众对复杂的社会性议题有所思考。社会福祉的发放究竟该遵循什么原则？有福利发放必有不符合条件者钻漏洞，那么当权者是该尽全力发放福利不去计较冒领的，还是该收紧审核尽可能的满足公平原则。以当今进步国家都是尽可能的发放福利，让有需要者有尊严的活下去，可在东亚文化圈自古便习惯于所谓勤劳不打扰如日本的“耻”文化，以及普遍性官僚主义对上不对下，情况则完全相反，受理者受制于考核压力照章办事选择程序正义，便有了电影名以及电影中内心善良的人做出极端的报复举动。电影并未将议题进行更深刻的刻画，复杂的社会性议题也不是一部电影可以说清晰的，若能引发民众对于此类问题的关注就足够成功，所以电影的克制表现我觉得足够了。
立意不错，每个人物之间都有着联系，但叙事太平了
电影版编曲太奇怪了，waving through a waving完全没有听专辑的震撼。Even的妆发太老气了，完全无法入戏高中生。但文本改编出了每个角色矛盾的破碎，虚假的真诚，很厉害。还是好想看现场！
电影版编曲太奇怪了，waving through a waving完全没有听专辑的震撼。Even的妆发太老气了，完全无法入戏高中生。但文本改编出了每个角色矛盾的破碎，虚假的真诚，很厉害。还是好想看现场！
You Will Be Found还是很好哭的｜AA真适合演温柔母亲｜第一次听咩咩唱歌，确实好听
还行啊 只有经历过灾难才会理解吧 还有关乎国家体质的问题
叛逆愤怒的人却有着善良柔软的内心，福利院的工作人员却冷若冰霜。只能说这个世界让太多不该活着的人活着，太多不该死去的人死去了。
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