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.
优点是可可爱爱笑点很密集，缺点是笑点太密集了显得有些低幼，适合带孩子看
还行，中国元素融合得马马虎虎。不值6.5欧/票。
小黄人可可爱爱。笑点很多。这次的有很多中国元素：针灸，武术，龙，中国城
加入很多中国元素，那个女功夫打斗场面有意思，旧金山的景色很美，不过剧情还可以，画质不错，可爱一群小黄人
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭😭我的小黄人
马马虎虎合格，有些细节的小包袱确实有逗笑我
好可爱好好玩好轻松！这种爆米花片子还需要有什么要求呢～～看小小有头发Gru怎么变大坏人不香嘛～对中国文化比较肤浅浮于symbol毫无内核的探讨+稍稍薄弱的剧情扣一星
梗包括不限于章鱼博士爬塔，复仇者联盟1纽约激战，美队的盾牌，还有些一下子想不起来了。还挺好笑的，剧情就是东一榔头西一棒槌，毕竟爆米花电影，全场大多数是青少年和带着孩子来的家长。不过哈哈大笑就够了
Lucy lawless 你大概就说了四句话吧😅
中国元素挺多，小黄人果然人见人爱。格鲁也是个非常有原则的坏人，没有人会拒绝伙伴吧，格鲁的小伙计数量有点惊人。
我不管，看到小黄人就是幸福感满满啊啊啊啊啊啊啊太可爱了太可爱了
怎么这么可爱😭😭😭😭😭😭
爆米花好好吃、
6.5 - 可愛的、搞笑的、輕鬆歡快的無腦動畫片。Bob快來媽咪懷裡！
听说内地因为龙的形象ban了，小p孩们少了多少欢乐？
我可真是太开心了！喜欢！电影院现场气氛也好棒！
剧情肯定不值3星，但是没有人可以拒绝卖萌。如果你最近感到压力很大，不妨花一个半小时看一看纯粹又可爱minions！
中国功夫+十二生肖+唐人街+小黄人＝无法击败的神秘力量
挺欢乐的，为了迎合中国市场插入很多中国元素，但是整体感觉一般
一如既往的可爱。飞机那段一气呵成，结尾偶像死而复生。全片中国元素多到让我有些坐立不安，在全是鬼佬的电影院里不禁揣测他们听着中文歌看着十二生肖打架时的心理活动。
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