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.
优秀的有点诡异的动画，老狐狸，俏狐狸，单腿狐狸。
Lilly Colins演技直追大宝贝了。以前觉得颜还是可以的，可是放在这种超级富豪只为子宫的设定里，这颜值身材配上做作的忍受表情，明显撑不起来啊。富豪找虐吗，非要找个嫌弃自己的。拿人钱财与人消灾啊。再配上这演技，难以忍受。。。感觉浪费了时间
很有意思的故事，很古典的鋪陳，有點希區柯克的影子，慢慢地講一個並沒有尖銳矛盾衝突的故事，但能讓人一直想看下去。
这动画片就是奇谈，做得多么好，足够叫现在的人汗颜啦，太可爱了！
袁公不惜触犯天条把天书享予凡人 殊不知凡界净是魑魅魍魉 西方动画技术传入中国 便不再有这水墨剪影的艺术 都是寓言
不记得剧情了 找时间再看一次 为毛不把老动画片们翻拍成电影 肯定比现在一堆堆的烂电影好多了
最爱独腿小书生，
狐狸精起舞那段实在太诡异了 http://www.iqiyi.com/v_19rrhnujco.html?vfm=2008_aldbd
我也不清楚小时候特别爱看动画片的我为什么没看过这部动画片。看片明以为是个框架很大的故事，没想到是个格局很小的一个故事。剧情很简单，一句话就能概括：小孩除妖的故事。故事适合全年龄段观看。袁公简直就是中国的普罗米修斯，相比于师父的大格局心态，天庭玉帝却是小心眼。直接表达了上层阶级对下层阶级对于资源的封杀与统治，这种改编对于权威的辛辣讽刺非常大胆。同时影片还讽刺了普通百姓的封建迷信、官场的利益熏心和愚昧贪心的皇帝。而且本片对于反派角色的描写比主角还要多，还要丰富和立体。反派一伙人的戏份明显比蛋生要多。美术很棒，水墨画风格现在看也很美。配乐也是一流的，而配音演员则是非常强大的阵容。这才是纯正的中国特色的动画电影。由于我没有这片的童年情怀，所以我只能给四颗星。毕竟现在看来多少有些过时了。8分。
算是小时候最喜欢的。刚重温一遍，却觉得没意思了。发现再美好的回忆，如果不经过自己重新组装和粉饰，也会索然无味。
《天书奇谭》：一部让我从小到大都很喜爱的国产动画电影佳作。谢谢你给我这个动画迷留下奇妙美好的回忆。—— 2015.05.01：这部经典，不仅可以吸引小朋友们，还能留住大朋友。邻居几个大人看到我和小朋友们在我家门口观看《天书奇谭》，也过来“凑热闹”，和我们一起观影，好些情节把大家逗乐到不行！—— 2021.11.05：时隔多年后，带上小外甥，在影院大银幕重温4K修复纪念版《天书奇谭》。电影的画面真是有够高清，甚至连绘画的纸纹都清晰可见；色彩的饱和度也挺高，增添了画面的韵味与美感；还注意到混录的声效有方位的变化……看得我都期待未来也能够在大银幕重温4K修复版《大闹天宫》《哪吒闹海》。& 正片后的纪录片 → 钱运达：艺术如果没有创新，就没有生命力。
水墨动画是中国电影最具特色和拿的出手的电影风格，作为集大成的《天书奇谭》让人久久难以忘怀。善恶因果，人性被这部动画片讲的明明白白。影像背后是八十年代理想主义知识分子的表达，一本“救世”天书却被坏人利用。这需要反复思考，值得玩味。
导演是Lily Collins的老公，实在是个废物男的，接的片儿全是靠老婆和岳父的关系，还拍得比谁都烂。不知道Collins是怎么看上她的，大概是她最low self-esteem那段厌食期遗留下的自暴自弃式恋情。
小学上课的时候做了本 天书 被老师批评了....
天书奇谭最有趣一点：那聚宝盆可以凭空出爸爸，却不可以凭空出财富？财富都是从四乡八镇老百姓家搜刮来的。这一设定，就把叙事视角从单纯的道德警示（贪婪无度）延展到了社会经济意识形态（财富分配）……
我觉得小时候应该看过，但确实记不得了，不知道是不是当时被吓到或者怎样……其实中国动画就应该这样，很有自己的特点，无论是故事还是绘画。层层递进地故事情节丝毫不会让人觉得无聊，每一层毫无拖沓。
戏剧性有了，反转有了，核心没有撑起来，看起来很突兀的剧，节凑也有问题...
这部跟我同龄的动画片，童年时总是看不全，甚至都记不得名字，最近下了个高清才诧然发现，原来有一个半小时那么长！甚至连具体的情节都不怎么记得了。国产动画原本应该就是这个高度才对，故事性强，风格古朴，教导有方。现在的那些，什么啊都是。
四个演员都演得不错，导演功力可以。什么是适者生存？或许是隐藏得最深的。
中国动画的经典之作，不过现在看起来真的就有点没那么给劲了……
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