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.
泪点太顶了，果不其然也是奥斯卡最佳，不过今年的奥斯卡真的太flop了，这么多有硬伤的电影一起角逐，最终残障群体大败lgbtq
想想也是，本来有很现实的渔民劳工题材可大展拳脚，却执拗于亲情家庭音乐小圈子里陈腔烂调。比来比去这部BP的格局确实很小。
希望国内的影视创作者们都能学习一下人家是怎么做套路的。
朴实无华，贵在真挚。这片也是翻拍，国内公司是不是已经买了原版版权赶紧撺掇着呢？
最亮的亮点， 是矛盾表现得十分细腻，家庭与人生的矛盾，爱和责任的矛盾，内向的引力与外界的推力间的矛盾，都很清晰。可能会重复看，很多遍。看了后觉得，年轻真好，成长真好，哪怕有许多不堪的地方，也还是很好。
就是那种，你懂的，豆瓣top250的鸡汤调调。同样的题材，完败给比利埃略特。
彼此倾听，相互和解，这样的亲情真励志，真唯美，真掉价。这故事最大的bug是开头女主被伯乐光速识见的历程太顺畅，不然什么也说不通。
很温情，So many things I would have done,
扎实的设定和表演以及高级的表现方式让这些原本戏剧化的情节都让人信服。
淚目...想到自己背井離鄉海外求學，媽媽第一次出國飛來參加我的博士答辯儀式，其實也是那麼孤獨的坐在人群中完全不懂我和周圍的人在說些什麼，也是看著別人的反應開始拍手鼓掌...I miss them dearly
还是生活细节刻画的很好，但没摆脱公式化的剧作，也几乎没有出彩的电影语言。从一家人吃饭哥哥不同意她在家捕鱼到妈妈和她在屋里谈心，再到和哥哥在海边争吵，连着这三场戏很打动人。
能坚持每天早上3点起床打鱼的女孩一定能成为人生赢家。我居然从头到尾都没有发现这情节跟法国那部一毛一样，既然是翻拍那就不加一星了。谈恋爱部分挺好看的但是跟好色的闺蜜一样好像有点多余。
虽然很喜欢，但想不明白这种一板一眼的小妞电影是怎么得最佳的……
前面看得好压抑 面试唱歌的时候泪目了 就很奥斯卡
我实在是太喜欢原版了，所以重点关注的是美版的本土化修改：渔夫比农夫身份的不便更多了，冲突升级；竞选的戏份删除了，妈妈的美沦为了性的笑料；老师的人设也不饱满了，教私课的动机不那么充分。好在最后的那首歌有含蓄的美，不过法版对于M. Sardou的致敬更添感动。
好久没有看到那么纯正的美式青春片了，那种家庭的关系又让我想起《阳光小美女》，真是又温暖又感动。最后想起多年前看过的《校花我爱你》，里面那个校花说自己在毕业以后应该也会变成普通人，当时的我十几岁，还不太理解。后来才知道，人长大就意味着要接受失去，但当你年少的时候，觉得可以有那么多可能，那种美好是难以言喻的。
合格的翻拍作品，但还是觉得原版更加朴实动人~
从爸爸用手语打出那句“她从来没当过宝宝”开始我的眼泪就下来了…
5、正如云彩有两面，人生也一样。既然如此，让我们忘掉身后的阴影，勇敢地向前奔跑吧！
不愧是奥斯卡
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