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.
从贫穷山村来到繁华都市圣保罗打工，却沦为囚徒。这就是现实，影片非常真实地展现了这种现实。而这正是所有后发国家的必由之路，中国也是这样走过。影片中男主角选择很现实，其实也很聪明。你无力去改变这个社会，那就改变自身去适应。愤懑与怨恨是无用的，谁都是这样走过来的。想寻求人间天堂？带来的可能更会是生不如死的地狱。
-聪明的人？
P.S. π弹出来的钢琴曲真好听
挨饿还是做恶？
挺有深度的一部电影，尤其是圆周率之曲，真的是太棒了！
如果在议员选举时把黑心产业链曝光就是爽剧级别，但结果是自甘被驯化，倒也算赤裸裸的现实。
你们会各取所需喷对方阵营。我只觉得巴西和中国印度这些非主流非西方国际阵营的国家一样，你能看到的影像，往往都是这种性质的内容。所以呢，不被洗脑真的很难
非常担忧崔老师会不会上着上着课，这小榔头、小斧子什么的就掏出来了 .........
名字不错，奇怪的国家，这个人物设定也挺好，就是字幕太差了，节奏也有点问题，暂时不打分了
前三分之二都不错，结尾韩国强行拔高，失了片子的基调。
观后我还专门百度了黎曼猜想，单个字都认识，和在一起就不知道在说些什么
巴赫 G大调第一大提琴组曲 数学
若《浮俘》的渔民苦力尚是被遮掩的奴役，尚有对错之分、渔民的反戈一击存在“正当防卫”的合理性，《七囚徒》则是光明正大地拐卖人口，是《用后即弃的人》的所言及的“新奴隶制”，以致于男主角最终决定投诚，我们会认为是一个正确的决定，我们很快被这种经济、权力地位的提升所鼓舞，庆幸可以从第一视角感知人生的阶层跨越、焕然一新，所以我们会快乐，替男主松口气，却忘记铁门后眼巴巴被囚禁的其他人。这也是金钱至上的价值观反复驯化的结果，导演让观众变成小丑，一步一步成为恶的帮凶，放弃正义、善，并声称“不得已”。糟糕的人情社会中，连恶势力都会成为参政议员高升的靠山，而恶势力掌握的则是底层没有机会出人投地的劳动力，因为他们拥有合法的枪支。底层从黑社会体系中以暴力、以服膺获取升迁进而洗白，竟成了唯一出路，令人倍感惊悚。
看完这部电影 更加肯定了自己是一个数学学渣 。。。
巴西电影往往有惊喜，当大家关注黑市奴隶劳工的同时，有没有关注卢卡先生，温水煮青蛙式的洗脑方式，一步一步令人忠心为他卖命。
崔叔五官特别是眼睛像小鹿一样，温和慈祥。
要不是理科生，还真容易被忽悠，相信什么可能获得诺贝尔奖的数学家，证明了黎曼猜想就能破解电商密码，有点韩国式自恋和对朝鲜的刻板印象的嘲讽，一点对教育功利化的抨击。表演一般般。
ᐈ这个优秀的电影，没有任何多余的音效，最真实的生活投影
7个囚徒中唯一走出的被拉拢成新的剥削者，反抗的力量难以凝聚。导演或许在借用囚徒处境影射巴西社会困境，偏现实主义风格还是蛮喜欢的。
有韩朝背景、逆袭成果、对功利应试的批判，然而观感模糊，较为平淡，比较深刻的片段是脱北者说出关于数学的思考和乐趣以及脱北者与儿子之间的冲突。
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