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.
总理？特么的兔子县长也叫不来啊！今天瞧不起你，明天瞧不起他，你特么的就是个国际笑话！
虽然有合理的诉求，但是绑架小孩的做法不可接受，整个剧情走向都很正常，没有惊喜的地方。
对美帝无能司法的控诉真棒棒哒。
【7.2/10】能猜到背后有隐情，老师不会真的伤害孩子，前面悬念即便做再好也不会很惊悚。印度女性生活在水深火热之中，所以从真相上来说并不新鲜，但在其环境下社会意义还是很大。本片制作应该挺大，搞得印度人好像都是在都市，人们生活得都挺光鲜，警察好像也挺高端，国家挺文明还有个厉害的女总理。电影最大的bug在一切都太理想化了，事情几乎都按着她一个菜鸟罪犯的掌控在发展，要么运气不错没出太大纰漏，男女两人反抗都被女主一人干倒了，男警官知道女主动机后，立马真心忏悔自我检讨，我们太想出名了忽略了伤害，总理也很圣人不顾危险同意来现场和罪犯面谈。最后反转我倒是没想到，但是不是也有点硬呢，那么一个坏人，从开始就表现得就是一个怂男人。
最大问题还是前摇太长，但是这部电影的存在就是为了让印度被伤害的女人被看见，如果真的是能让印度醒过来的星期四就好了。最后，为女性主义无比自豪，我们每个人都应该是女权主义者。
比起弱点，桑爪更应该借这个片拿奥斯卡。估计是公司没好好操作。
解决绑架案方面，细节和合理性有待提高。解决社会问题方面，更是任重道远。
剧情槽多无口，影片速度太慢，1.5倍速正好
想象出来的场景都拍不好，
快乐教育就能强直打脸CSI这类美剧。
而且印度片能不能短点啊，有事没事130分钟真要了命了～（字面意思…
之前在网上看到说：强奸不判死刑，也是给被强奸者留下生的希望。 如果强奸判死刑，会不会那些禽兽害怕而不敢做了呢。凡事都有两面性就是了。
印度这些年的发展速度可以从少了载歌载舞的电影，和奈飞上的一些剧就能看得出来。虽然两极分化是常态，但看得出来富人的生活其实挺潇洒。说回电影本身，故事其实是老套的，意义却是重要的，唯一值得吐槽的其实反而是配乐，故意搞得很紧张其实啥都没，突然又低落缓慢的不合常理。
桑婆难得严肃克制。系统性的恶无形杀人后还要剥夺受害人的地位。对伤痛的表达刚刚好。
结局基本能猜到，但还是震惊于影片的结束语，有些人，一出生就在地狱……
“一位女性以近似恐怖袭击的方式，完成了一次直达天庭的上访。”
接这个电影，桑德拉布洛克就是奔着表演奖去的。里面那个黑人警察说得挺好，你要活在当下，不能活在20年前。里面有问题的人，都是活在过去的缘故。但是，又哪能这么容易走出来啊。
跟误杀很像，但比误杀更深刻，对社会的意义也更大一些。当弱小者得不到保护，只能通过极端方式伸张正义的时候，这个国家和体制便到了无可救药的地步。
苏兰琼斯的英版也很赞啊。。。。编辑是 sally wainwright
电影都只是美好结局
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