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，这老爷车节奏无法忍受，闪闪的抱枕有点好玩
“史上最好的三部电影：《变脸》《卡尔加里博士的小屋》《帕丁顿熊2》。”哈哈哈哈哈。小尼出场的时候总让我想到《坏中尉》里凯奇的灵魂街舞。 看的时候意识到自己看过那么多凯奇的片子，有些恍惚。
高开低走，前面还挺有趣，后面越来越编不下去。而且这片的剪辑真不行。但是凯奇玩得开心就好。
还行，但所有电影梗都让人回忆起当年凯奇的电影可是太他妈好看了。债还完了，真心希望能再创辉煌。 女儿的演员挺好看。
凯奇用凯奇的故事拍（演）了一部很凯奇的电影。
两个男人好友的中年危机 套在自己演自己的包装里
这部片子凯奇想要表达的是：拍戏只是我的工作，老子怎么选剧本与你们有屁关系？更没打算转折…但这位导演又拍成了上一部《尴尬时刻》的尴尬时刻。
作为一部喜剧电影，段子梗完全不好笑就是最大问题。
PS:很欣慰cage大叔也爱Paddington2，希望他可以参演Paddington3🐻
作为一个常年看影视同人文的人来说，这部片子给我的感觉大概就是尼古拉斯凯奇的粉丝写了一部偶像slash自己的RPS故事然后被偶像本人出演了，tag可能还会打上“真实背景”、“架空”、“粉丝行为勿上升蒸煮”等。我作为观众可能还想加一个“禁止套娃”。
片中那个尼古拉斯凯奇“周边博物馆”真的好评！看来他最被观众记得的作品还是巅峰三部曲：变脸、空中监狱、勇闯夺命岛。下一部帕丁顿熊2提上日程！
“我就是哈维” 哈哈哈哈哈哈哈，竟然是曼达洛人。后面的剧情真的是离谱、中二。笑死。
自己出演自己，和年轻的自己对话，自我审视和嘲讽，叔的艰辛回春路
很少有看到一半就想关了的电影，越看期待就越低，到底是花了多少钱说服凯奇和红毒蛇来拍这种傻片，个别的小梗撑不起来啊，拍爆米花喜剧也是需要专业的好吗？？？！！！
《尼古拉斯凯奇的多重宇宙》lol 挺轻松的，好多喜欢的演员，凯奇确实演了很多烂片但是他的好电影也真的值得回顾，私心多加一星
确实是一部character-driven adult drama！编剧和导演可太爱凯奇了，致敬了多部凯奇的老电影！剧本本身散发着一种迷人的老派气质，很像凯奇当年的改编剧本！戏中戏的嵌套，有两个比较意外的地方，第一个是Javi并不是真正的老大，这我没想到；第二个是就在紧张刺激的时刻，发现凯奇在电影中的老婆又换成了黛米摩尔，原来已经拍了Javi的剧本！Mafia从业人员写剧本，又让我想起了伍迪艾伦的子弹横飞好莱坞！我说凯奇的女儿怎么那么眼熟呢，原来是凯特贝金赛尔和迈克尔辛的女儿，小姑娘太可爱了！轻松愉悦又不乏细节和深度，最后落脚是亲情，有合家欢那味儿了！凯奇的演技是真好！一脸大胡子，感觉再胖一点，可以演他uncle福特科波拉了！帕斯卡在狂热粉丝和冒牌大佬之间反复横跳，可可爱爱的，但是演技得努力
这么烂的片还分析或者点评个啥。烂片王有很多佳作毋庸置疑，但这部显然不是，稀烂！
本以为凯奇叔儿终于要回归the weather man那种文艺片了，没想到还是拐到枪战去了……
凯奇是真的演过很多经典电影，也是现在真的全情投入演烂片。这个自己演自己的梗用的好可以成为《成为马尔科维奇》，用的一般就是这个电影的样子，就还是商业爆米花，就还是消费了一把自己而已
凯奇演的根本不是他自己，只是一个叫尼古拉斯凯奇的明星罢了。除去跟他本身有关的电影梗，其余的就是一个平平无奇的犯罪喜剧。
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