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.
說實話大家都很醜，而且最後大招是抽烏龜笑死我了。
一星给阴郁的气氛和漫天浓雾下肃杀的氛围，恐怖气氛不错，可惜内容太过平庸，怪物又看不清，恐怖气氛弱了不少
当时有很高的期望，拖了两年后看到成片就这？
虽然剧情小儿科，但是计谋还可以，流星抽乌龟的样子也很可爱啊。然后红布转圈那段，镜头感真好。本乡奏多的声音好听，看的时候就在想他好好像只配过一部动画？
还好，前期看下来节奏比较慢大部分场景比较黑，结尾还有伏笔
氛围制造得不错。小男孩演的也不错。带出女主的背景也不会太啰嗦，大概知道发生什么。缺点就是恐怖片经常发生（也可以说经常制造）：1.自己不想死，让别人去送死的情节，2.明知山有虎偏向虎山行，还不带武器，3.明知恶魔打不过，却从来不会团结一致，每每都是等你死了，我才独自上。太多在现实生活不会下的决定，全都用在恐怖惊悚片，难道就不能依照一般人的思维去行动吗？也请不要再用，因为怪物/恶灵已经不现实这些藉口了。另外，看着看着，鹿角怎么那么熟悉，片尾字幕上的时候才发现原来跟陀螺导演有关系。
千万不要占小便宜！十来个小故事，过瘾呐。总会有一个唤醒你内心的恐惧。
氛围不错，细节不行，处处让人觉得 r u serious？ 以及怪兽设计有些撞黑森林。
6.5/10。比《赌博默示录》系列好看，都是层层闯关模式但有智斗有逃杀，动静结合，最重要的是男主帅（这点很重要不然邪魅一笑很容易油腻）并且没有圣母角色！最后决战有点草率，毫无紧张感。期待第二季。
佐野勇斗在流星的光芒下都变得没那么丑了 说真的看你这个电影我不如去看BABA岚
是流星粉也看不下去的电影，剧本好烂，没看过原著，改编的剧情也太弱了，像幼儿园过家家。这简陋的布景，真的无力吐槽，这片投资应该是满少的，全篇就没有什么大场面，我的天这也能叫电影吗，只能称得上是一部超长sp而已，唯一亮点只有流星的银发了
用抽鬼牌做主菜感觉不太够啊，没有呈现出什么新颖的赌局，遗憾。
拍的有点对付，不过在当下没有佳作的情况下也能对付，剧情简单，特效粗糙，有点像看了一季暗芝居的感觉，创意几乎没有，就等着那点jump scary解闷了
没想到评分这么低。至少每个故事演员的颜值还是在线的。而且故事章节的形式也不错，好几个故事其实都可以再展开细讲，成为不错的剧本的。短小的好处就是高能比较密集。看的“婚姻”版本翻译有点不合适，翻译在开篇直接写“冥婚”导致悬疑感少了一点。印象比较深的是层间噪音和齿虫
由多个短故事组成的片子，几乎每个故事都能看到其他经典恐怖片的标志性情节，有些篇章里营造好的氛围也随着剧情的展开一扫而空，让人无感。我是内心平静的看完的……
这怪物也太拉了吧，直到小木屋伏击战都还可以，到最后直接被女主刀了？
没有一个吓人的故事 大部分都在意料之中 有几个故事拍的港片味儿十足 只有人体模特的还行吧 可能因为男主最好看吧
流星的脸怎么突然就崎岖了起来，帅哥保护好自己的脸！多哥还是熟悉的歪嘴笑，麻衣样好久不见没认出来，三浦油到我了。剧情没什么好说的，打发打发时间。
还好，前期看下来节奏比较慢大部分场景比较黑，结尾还有伏笔
演员好美（看美女很快乐），可惜10个小故事没有吓爽我，有一两个甚至有点无聊🥱，恐怖小故事还是得看恐怖漫画，但是恐怖漫画系列拍的也一部不如一部。希望多出一些像釜山行那种高质量的恐怖片，我真的超爱！
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