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.
瑕不掩瑜！关于“善意”，关于无法互相理解的人性，关于男性性和女性性。摄影和配乐很不错，李相日调教三个完全不符合原作的演员真的辛苦了。
除了打光 以及村长在最后突然暴露身体的惊吓 还是让人可以坐下好好看看这部阴郁的片子的 女主小时候的小演员真不戳 流星的家暴真可怕 难怪要掉粉 人的心底可能都会有些黑暗存在着吧
#Cannes22 No.19 5.5/10
冗长拖沓 是看到一半不小心按了暂停 过了好一会儿才发现的程度
看快一半时，李又犯怒的老毛病了，看到快结束，啊广濑铃真好看
额，连看了怒和流浪之月，居然是一个导演，感觉女主都一样
第一部女主多少只是开挂，这个直接变成科幻片了，简直就是诸神之战啊，照这样拍下去，都可以成为一个系列了
6.3最后一场大战值回期待，也是第一部成功的原因，但是这片子剧情不就是复刻一遍第一部，而且节奏还稀碎，女主形象演技和金多美都有不小差距，另外导演说这两部电影不到魔女宇宙十分之一，这意思是金多美的角色还有18个兄弟姐妹？
简单的故事 多方的叙述 最终来场爽战收尾 还是挺期待下部 个人感觉比第一部好
估计故事重构了，和第一部一些设定和结尾接不上，不过那对普通人姐弟全死了是什么呀。
奇怪的主题，矫情的叙事，迷惑的剪辑，木讷的表演，难以忍受的两个半小时。被白衬衣松坂桃李骗了。如果主要矛盾点在文身上的话就不要把人拍成傻子。
和第一部差好远。后面的中文尴尬的我可以扣除一个三室一厅来。
3.5🌟不到4🌟的水准。非常喜欢原作细腻的描写，让这份独立于爱情与友情之外的感情变得顺理成章且弥足珍贵。电影团队很牛，寄生虫摄影团队，李相日，再加3个不错的卡司，讲真拍成这样还是很糟心的。首先太长了！两个半小时完全没必要，第一个小时的剧情太冗长。抛开原作不谈，这个电影在商业和艺术之间摇摆不定，导致哪个都没做好。村长塑造角色失败，并没有让人觉得纤细和病娇，反而很弱智（对不起，没有攻击演员本人的意思，但是角色呈现出来的气场是真不好）。丝丝无功无过，普通输出。看片最大的惊喜来自流星，真的演出了DV男/臭流氓的感觉，比起以往有很大突破。综上，今年最期待的日本电影，现在只有满心残念。
丝丝的演技可圈可点 很动人 长相太喜欢了又甜美又有韧性 戏路真的很宽 就是这故事是个啥啊……
3.5 对我来说是主演们的演技cover到了突兀发展以及可能会有观众觉得不适的感情观感 丝丝…丝丝一哭…我整个人都被打动住
可惜原作了 换成是枝裕和拍好点 希望能出剧版
弹丸之地妖魔鬼怪还真不少，竟然还cue中文，简直西八
天…这电影到底想输出什么价值观？？单看电影，你跟我说他不是ロリコン野郎我是不信的（。还有为啥要让流星来演这种讨人厌的角色？？？（虽然演得很好以及颜很可（？
看完真的很難不心疼村長…雖然很老土但是這種雙向救贖我還是蠻吃的…（雖然我覺得我不會再看第二遍了）我覺得還蠻意境的hhh結尾擦番茄醬那段隱忍感好好…以及結尾那段比我第一次看到村長的pg還要震驚
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
