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.
就是说 剧情单一没起伏 结尾做的很潦草
没那个基因就别干那事。动画版WWE，电影时间不长，讲的比较快，但目前的故事结构也确实没什么可填充进去的故事了，观感总体不错，休闲动作动画电影吧
因为之前那版背影海报想看 换了海报就没了兴致 海报的重要性啊 头顶牛角包的红色苏利文跳Salsa 融合类怪物只有鲨爪鱼还算颜值合格 结构简单 人设单薄 不如跳舞
其实还挺好看的 就是篇幅太短了感觉比较赶 很多事交待的不是特别清楚
符合我个人的口味，豆瓣评分虚低。奇形怪状的大怪兽战斗加励志的欢乐正能量。搞笑与温情并行。俗套也是可以容忍的。大怪兽的细节出色皮肤肌理有质感。最后那个折椅真的高光幽默。时常控制的也很好不会过于冗长无聊。小女孩的热情勇敢、自我怀疑、沮丧消沉、和最后的奋进都很真实。4星必须的。
过程中居然联想到《驾驶我的车》，有些症结真的需要所有人都帮你一把才能逐渐解开
人物动作有些不流畅/怪兽形象还能更好/除此之外没什么大挑剔的
和去年波兰那部《冠军》比较类似，同样是用类型片的方式去展现集中营残酷记忆，更主流的演员选择和更充裕的制作成本保证了可看性的提高。
黑白和彩色两个时代的交错，男主体型和眼神的变化，映衬了残酷的故事和活下来的勇气，生存本就是无常且充满意外的旅程，活着的讲故事，没活的变成故事。男主+1星
喜欢 虽然一开始就能猜到套路 但是管他呢 动画让我忘了现实所有的烦恼 又给了我继续面对现实的勇气
一星給terry，一星給NBA的老梗。boring(=_=)
今年看过的最好的动画电影，滑稽的舞步，跳的还蛮有意思的，让我不由地想起了《快乐的大脚》，剧情没必要推陈出新，但是拍的好与坏，就看导演了！对于层出不穷的滥片来说，与音乐，舞蹈，艺术相关的动画电影，还是很不错的！至少，对于热爱这些东西的人来说，是个很大的福利！
为了Dani看的 一部轻松的浪漫小品吧 应该是一个约会APP的广告？最后合家欢 剧情进展很快可以忽略 两女主约会到海边的那个景很美
挺好 虽然中心思想依然俗套依然类型片 但是角色设计不错 有点意思
黑妹没事就找个学上吧，口口声声要做自己，结果只是想复刻父辈？
一般，很套路的片子。
环太平洋底和巨兽岛的大怪物都被人类奴役来打WWE了，还跳舞……
艾伦 你出生的时候
纯美式内核的故事，只要认真讲，还是有的看，只是有点乏味
实在是过于平庸。我还以为影片最后会有父辈们消失之谜的解释，没想到就只是个摆脱阴影成就自我的鸡汤动画
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