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.
孝珠真飒，热热闹闹发大财。哈哈，财宝有什么用呢！
这部电影搞笑点在于被导演蠢笑了….吴世勋射箭很帅，还是继续加油吧。
挺好玩的冒险小片，剧情有bug，但是看着搞笑就行呗。韩孝周演这种角色有些违和。
李光洙好好笑，整体还可以吧，男主很帅被造型淹没了。同类型亚洲电影拍这样已经不错了。
韩国版“加勒比海盗”
场景较为单一，打戏质量参差不齐，反派死于话多，整体还是较为乏味。
btw，如果是我，我会像老枪那样一点一点残杀那些杂兵……
希望光洙可以接一些高质量的剧本，不然白瞎这演技，和搞笑天分
没有比这更燃的电影了。打斗really精彩。脱离旧有的印象。不看不知道。
里面的箭手居然是吴世勋！！！！！太帅了！太帅了！！！！
这个公主让我想到勇敢传说，只不过这部电影剧情非常简单，基本上就是公主一路开挂打打杀杀的动作戏，少女以一敌百壮汉这种剧情看着还是蛮爽的，曾经的童星乔伊金真的长大了，文戏武戏都能演
从没看过这么屎的电影。。真的。。富春山居图都没这个屎。。
没啥意思，懦弱的国王，以一敌百的公主 ，动作戏牵强，二倍速看完删。
搞笑程度与前部相比大打折扣，或许大部分投资都用在海洋特效上了吧，动作戏也一般，演员表情有些过分夸张，还一个劲给特写。最后反派几个狠角色死的有点太容易了，打得不过瘾。对了，道具挺差劲的，那些财宝让人看上去都没有想占有的欲望。
希望光洙可以接一些高质量的剧本，不然白瞎这演技，和搞笑天分
没什么剧情的全程打怪，动作戏看的很爽，姐姐们太飒了😭
贵为公主 也得自己拼出一条血路 女性悲惨的一生…
我理解反新娘/做自己/救自己的女性主义设定啦，但是这个能编得像样一些么。
片子在特效上花大力气了，呈现的效果挺好，有的片段特效很震撼；动作设计也不错。观影过程中感到不爽的原因，就是见不得从头至尾演员们扯着嗓子大喊大叫、声嘶力竭的，是不是因为担心大海之中海浪声淹没了自己的声音？其实，为了提升喜剧效果，未必非得装疯卖傻似的吼叫不可。看在制作技术投入和演员卖了大力的面子上，还是应该给打上三星。6.5分。
中世纪女版《突袭》，封闭空间单人闯关游戏，只可惜投资上去了，但动作戏的水准下降了，不如《二凤》好看，乔伊金有点担不起来，飒爽的吴青芸这次只是配角，可惜可惜。
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