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.
时代真的变了，但师父永远属于那个他的时代。真正有泪有笑点佳作，柳乐优弥和大泉洋两位主演太厉害了，柳乐优弥第一眼以假乱真，大泉洋旧时代艺人气质十足。
要逗别人笑，而不是被别人嘲笑。剧末，武对着师傅的遗像，半调侃半吐槽的那番话，让人落泪。
结尾长镜头很漂亮，替活人拍传记，心里怪怪的。
好日一故事好标准一电影。近年拍昭和好像都用同一套视觉，虚但好看。片尾曲是桑田佳祐好喜歡嗚嗚（门胁麦無理）。
要好好活着。
又哭又笑，有被感动到。吐槽的点是老年北野武有点吓人。年轻女主有点像林依晨耶。
来自浅草的深见和阿武
师傅的故事明显比徒弟的故事更戏剧性，这种事故就是大家常说的“失焦”......
''如果想哭 可试试对嘉宾满座 说个笑话''
铃木保奈美还是好美啊！但影帝真的是过分努力还是一直让人出戏了
影帝演北野武感觉还是太强调「形」了，虽然把标志性特点模仿得很用心，但有时候呈现出来的感觉像另外一种用力过猛……演喜剧人太工整紧绷反而离原型很远。
拖拉了一點 但是還是好感動啊 北野武不是車禍以後才有點抽抽 這個怎麼從這會就開始了
是因为netflix投资的关系吗，片子长得像一个好莱坞片，不像部日本电影
真好...北野武大爷青春时代热血（创业）期的故事，连后来出轨离婚都那么干脆，净身出户，200亿日元（12亿+RMB）说给就给...了结发前妻，都70岁多了的老混蛋，还是有底气啊~这样的人还是太少了。
语速再快一点会更好。师傅太有范了，让人完全没办法注意北野武到底干啥了。
没想到是北野武的成名之路改变电影。成片实属一般，34分钟弃剧。
拍的一般但影帝好棒愛影帝 日本該修個新的橫店影視城了
情怀这种东西，可以拍得深极也可以浅极。它有时候会依靠共情成为超越剧作逻辑的法宝，有时也是无法弥合的漏洞。
火葬场来电话：“一半都已经烧没了，半价就可以啦。” 什么叫笑着哭。片中一秒切到北野武扫墓，下车神态与前面的年轻时代毫无违和，可见柳乐优弥下了功夫。PS 麻里竟然是莉香..... 只觉得眼熟，法令纹好明显，但是美貌不减！
看到阿武给师傅拿来粉色高跟鞋的时候泪崩了，看到阿武说“师傅，殡仪馆的人说因为只烧了一半那就收半价吧，天，真是赚到了”又哭崩了！妈的，影帝YYDS！
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