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.
天呐，太喜欢了，从头嘴角上扬直到结尾，我爱疯了这部电影！！！！！！！
洪常秀+金敏喜，戏里戏外一起看，就很奇妙了。时长92分钟的电影，半个小时之后金敏喜才出现，一度我以为自己开错片儿了[捂脸][捂脸]黑白调，长镜头，拉家常的对话，还是熟悉的洪常秀。《小说家的电影》6.5，金敏喜加0.5，给7分。洪常秀所有片子的配乐我都好喜欢～《小姐》里的金敏喜是人间尤物，洪常秀镜头下的金敏喜是风韵犹存～
烂片。其实根据前面铺垫，逐渐对片中小说家从一点点讨厌到部分共情，但她可拍不出来最后这么恶心的片段！别把自己的低俗安在女小说家头上！透过这个导演拍摄的女演员们，可以感知到他的狭隘和猥琐。而，侯麦，永远是站在尊重女性和平等的视角上的。奇怪近几年追捧他的都是什么类型的人。
社会意义重大。影片拍摄得，还是很真切。揭开伤疤，再次感受痛楚。4.5星
一贯的吃饭喝酒聊天，结尾的地方有被触动到，这是情书啊，感受到了满满的爱意
看的第一部和疫情直接有关的电影，在经历的这一两年难称为顺利的困苦中，听到演员们集体朗诵Sir Edward Dyer my mind to me a kingdom is, 边吃面条边流泪
第一部洪常秀，非常具有实验先锋性，门槛高。听说是其风格转变后的作品，抛除抽象结构上的手段或是情绪的引导（一众韩影名导目前所做的），专注于具象的内容，将抽象部分（就像最后小说家的电影一样）留给观众自行想象。内容杂糅了导演的自我反思、小说家的电影对这部电影本身的照应、洪对金的理解与表白，以及对电影深层次的探索，从这个角度看更像是一次杂谈。讨论偶然与必然，仿若巧合般地把偶然松散的剧情引向必要的走向（告示板、女孩、人物间的际遇等等），不知道是导演举重若轻随心所欲的功力体现，演员即兴表演的能力，抑或是两者的有机结合。
满分一百分，陈苏闽个人主观分，打分，三百分！！！！！！！！！！！
炫妻狂魔老洪，含敏量越高含金量越低，本洪粉这次get不了。
m21271：小人物的善，大国家的“公正公平”！人类就是这样！
就事论事，不谈比较。独立的看此片还是很不错，浅景深镜头加朱迪科默片中的表演真的很打动人，简简单单感应灯的运用也是非常巧妙。不足就是结尾太生硬太传教了。
这是一部洪常秀电影的说明书啊，演员要摆在舒适的位置，不重要的故事，反制纪录片。他制造一个没有亮部细节的浅景深世界，所有的人物都是他们本身，在这个舒适圈里，电影就像vlog一样被洪常秀轻拿轻放。甚至直接就拍一个vlog吧，像将奶油抹在美术馆一样将这样的电影放上银幕，给予这样轻盈的美一个郑重的画框。
提供了与主旋律相反的救援视角：非号召的、非规训的；本能的、甚至盲目的。叙事摆烂，转而用状物的方法填充影像。远景的虚焦像眼眶里噙着泪水，在曲折的走廊中来回奔走，如通向地狱之路。急切的结尾可看作莫大的讽刺：左派的愤怒必须由一无所有的人发出，只有这样才显得像在恳求、呼救。
特别喜欢电影最后，拿着花的人，发自内心的笑容，然后电影忽然黑白变成彩色，风拂面。满满的幸福，溢出屏幕，风声，呼呼的。金喜敏，你好美！
洪常秀的自我表述与公开示爱，个人不太喜欢。
好神奇的影像！！！！！我觉得作家关于创作焦虑 市场化的对白都不是重点（电影里也一直提到内容不重要），这让我的意识飘到别的地方，比如窗外的小路，用镜头推过去的散步行人
你好漂亮，你很有魅力，那么我们就合拍电影吧。雏菊美丽，用黑白镜头很可惜，那么彩色拍摄也可以。电影结束，角色散去，明亮而空荡的过道，刻意提醒着这不是“纪录片”。可是，多少自我和爱意，心知肚明，早已潜入画中。
大段大段的对白，长镜头，极其流畅自然的日常对话。金敏喜不拍电影，谁也管不着哈。
有很多想说的，但其实又没啥好说的。我们都是一粒灰。
hmmmmm...懵懵的，被最后的撒狗粮砸到脑袋了。黑白过曝的梦幻，被望远镜刺进。交流时看向窗外的未知，沉默时回归于自身的迷惘。重复的对话似真实似虚构。就这自我指涉是不是太露骨了点...
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