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.
四星，一星给女主，演的太好了。不过视觉上我觉得有点杂烩，梗太明显了，虽然我也不是没有吓到，（我很好吓的主要是）但是这个中西结合大杂烩有点下头。我更喜欢南巫那种风格，更东亚。
同性话题，想起了同妻和骗婚。结局过于理想，一个妥协之下的五口之家。
开心时就要大声笑，吃东西的时候就要大口吃，吃的胖胖的。
结尾简直就是一个注重家庭、亲情和集体的社会文化里最好的临时解决方式了吧。。。
这年头几乎是只有在东亚影视中才能看到出柜的挣扎了。虽然影片超烂俗地用慢镜头来展现一见钟情，但走向真的很好，有好一阵子没在影视剧里见到这样自我认同的勇气了，是有价值的一部片。
长到仿佛看了一部电视剧。男主小男友帅的，似乎年长的更适合男主，谁主动谁输吗？😂 大概只有高阶层的人才有时间经历为自己的争取平等的权利吧。还是想收集一个好看的印度男子😝
2018年才将同性恋去罪化的印度，2022年已经拍出直面有关形婚, 同性恋领养方面的电影了！
形婚、出柜、接纳。相似的国情，感同身受下却无法拍出一样的故事。印度电影总是不会让人失望。
节奏不算好，但在印度这个题材真的勇敢，继上次的维权律师之后，印度又赢了一把。人家开始拍彩虹平权，我们在不让说就不存在。
2倍速还可以看。也算是擦边球的方式回避了形婚真正的问题：女方要生孩子，女方在没有爱情的前提下要忍受怀孕，生产，国内的丧偶式育儿，然后孩子归男方姓，且男方有抚养权，这一套机制的不公正。
使用了搞笑的基调，但更深刻地探讨了逼婚、形婚、出柜、婚恋、领养替代传统社会压力的问题。没有随便消费少数群体，而是真诚地开始了探讨。不得不说，宝莱坞都开始了对 爱就是爱的探讨，我们还要停步不前到何时？一起看的第4部电影。
8.0/10
2个多小时的电影，看下来还挺有意思的。合法收养，也许能拯救代孕的黑色产业。
好奇同性之间的雷达真的这么强吗
前两个小时是形婚囧事，后半个小时是爱的教育。
繁华喜宴易成，漫长岁月难度。宗教信仰悬在远方，行规法律缚住四肢，流言习俗刺在脸颊，玫瑰花蕊藏在制服内，却被眼波流转出卖，喑哑的喉咙只能在夜晚互舐低鸣。炽热的目光逐渐暗淡，灼烧的期待终将寒凉，打一场旷日持久的仗，等荆棘满途全枯死。这愿望很悠长，亦决心走到底，待沧海桑田，听涛生潮起。
前两个小时是形婚囧事，后半个小时是爱的教育。
给支持同志领养点赞。结局很是暖心。被出柜真的很辛苦。阿三都直球拍这样的影片了，而我国碰都不敢碰，只能玩玩擦边卖腐，割傻逼们韭菜。。。
情节走向没有出人意料的地方，故事发生的异域环境更吸引我，比如排灯节的装饰，家庭的布置。印象深刻的有：1.苏曼妈妈的沉默仪式，沙尔杜尔妈妈的社恐性格设定很有趣。2. 沙尔杜尔坦白自己做警察是子承父业，“我们国家的人连公交座位都不会放过，怎么会拒绝政府安排的工作。”3.“告诉他们，家族的火种无法点燃传宗接代的火矩，告诉他们你无法延续家里的火种！”4.游行的彩色篷布下，苏曼和女友在欢笑着奔跑， 沙尔杜尔在路边执勤，纠结着接过五彩羽毛面具最终勇敢地戴上了。
逼婚逼生小孩那裡看得讓人窒息，但是現實更讓人窒息，唉，can’t talk feeling something 💔
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