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.
金熊奖提名，但是我看不懂，也不想假装懂得欣赏。前半部分特别无聊，后面有些矛盾冲突之后稍微好些，三个小时，挣扎着没睡着，坚持着看完了。旁白和画面有老电影的感觉，部分情节和画面尺度挺大。男主脸好看，个子居然和女主差不多。
尼...玛...一定要这样子吗..不会游泳不要轻易下水...啊啊..尼玛..
"活着只是侥幸，死亡才是必然。"
一列正在幽暗的洞穴里缓慢穿行的地下铁统领着文艺青年《法比安》的过去、现在和未来。如果幕前是一场混乱而堕落的政治表演，那么幕后这部冗长的「大部头」电影会成为《童一个世界》冉冉上升的秩序吗？作为一部公映于德国「新旧政府交替之年」的作品，复古还是招魂？生存还是毁灭？费边还是犬儒？无法开启「上帝」视角的导演将这个充满可能性和不确定性，哈姆雷特式的命题作为了影片的标题。准文艺青年需要扪心自问的是，作者将「后默克尔时代」德国政府塑造成一个受过良好教育的表演者，并在虚实交织的剧场里赐予他一见钟情式的爱情，他就是「法比安」了吗？显然，这个被不可靠叙述者再次想象重塑的形象既不「成熟」可信，也不「忠诚」可靠。不过，既然这部《无主之作》的标题被「豆瓣er」译成且当作具体的人来看，那么我们可以拿《斯宾塞》来进行比照。
在电影 也是尝试做到以现代 先锋 结构清晰的方法完成对魏玛时期的柏林的复刻//大概还是一些新浪潮的技巧实用 宛如上世纪五十年代的法国电影讲述一个男人的消亡 由人及史的视角还是很德国//仿佛评价佩措尔德的《过境》 历史的游魂从未离开过欧洲大陆
以犬儒享乐主义知识分子在时代中的私人故事承载二战政治文化生活反思，不仅具有反战批判也具有辐射跨时代生存方式的现代启示意义。艺术作为人生活追求的基本权利与社会义务与责任的关系是割裂的，身处于具体时代背景中的人想要追寻基本的这项权利必须用扭曲的游戏身份去出卖身体与灵魂。对现世的逃避反叛，在个人能力缺失、在基本生活都无法在正常社会中被允许保障时，夸张的欲望变成了畸形人体与战争产物，人们在矛盾的困境中孤独挣扎，法比安拒绝女人包养，但他的爱人却拼命挤身名流，无奈可悲是他依然怀有对天真女人的爱，他最后并非死于溺水而是死于被销毁的书籍笔记，正如法西斯的暴行对整个知识社会的强奸，历史上烧书禁严时代的耻辱将电影的批判推向终结的高潮。自动钢琴是艺术不在场和工具化。感情真挚多落泪，工整之余且平庸。文笔深厚且精妙
前面一小部分让我想到了一个名词“电影的戏剧化”——才用多视点一定程度上还原了戏院里的观看模式，后面的叙事较为平稳，部分镜头有“私影像”的特性，多次分心。
一战之后纳粹执政前夕德国经济崩溃，社会动荡且糜烂，可是也有很多即将逝去的美好。朋友拉布德代表的共产主义在人民不开化（男主说的）的当时没有立足之地；社会淫乱、失业高、一战创伤、艺术无法营生、无道德的柏林；晚上六点多村里电线杆上起火了，第一次见到消防队来到村里，火把宽带光缆烧了，抢修队很快来了修到了快半夜一点还没修好；三人分别是因社会的恶而死，自己的善而死，自己的恶而改变。
1.开始的长镜头在地铁站内，一出地铁站立马从当代“穿越”到了1931年，且胶片的质感非常有感觉
它如同现在。我们经历相似的境况，历史仿佛进入循环。但历史不会真的循环，当下仍处于十字路口，只要每个人走出正确一步，还有改变的可能，这也是这部电影如此让人共情并心有戚戚然的原因。我们自己或许不是理想主义者，但我们应该尽力保护理想，目的不只是为了救一个人，而是在救自己的良知，并为社会保住底线。
虽然其实我像善逸一样懦弱，但还是想努力看看，也许也可以像碳次郎一样温柔而强大
结局会马上想到《横道世之介》。不该死的人死了。
这短暂的一生，还没来得及尝尝生活的甜头，就先被各种不合时宜苦死了。梦想真的活在天堂吗？
世界很糟糕，但仍然有人想好好活着。但最后他没有成功。
太沉闷了，似乎德国电影除了拍二战前后那点事，就很难出圈。
好难看。不，超级难看。俗到不得了的故事嵌套在花里胡哨的走位里，评分这么高因为帅哥美女吗？？？😨
剧情不够精彩，因为没有boss。
（看到第一眼就觉得会再看一遍又一遍，写得真好啊，居然没有原著可看，使人痛苦。啊！难受。
小刘32岁。上海某著名带货大咖公司创意总监。211硕士研究生。4k一月的合租间最近再考虑换。
技术上摄影剪辑音效光影牢牢抓人，夹在大萧条和二战之间的动荡过渡期德意志社会个人与众生相，新思想之间碰撞，德意志哲学拷问，这三小时一点也不长，saskia几个小表情简直能让人化了，无主之作里没给她这么大表现舞台
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