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.
ps,喜欢片中典型的印度电影音乐；
看起来印度的恶人还是不够“恶”，光靠毒打就逼迫明知不是罪犯的人认罪，是很有难度的。要靠威胁伤害他心爱的人，靠让他看到未来是黑暗无助，从精神上先让他降伏。我不是恶人，但悠久的历史和权谋的智慧，也会带来比起我们能察觉到更为黑暗的一面。
我上次有这种“你们这个司法体系要维护法律尊严简直小菜一碟嘛”的感觉还是看「华盛顿邮报」哎！灯塔国也就勉强算了，但是我现在竟然在羡慕印度？？？
印度版的《辩护人》？1995年背景，没有人权的低种姓部落，数代都是饱受歧视的“不可接触者”，拿不到居住证、游离于社会之外，可以被随意安上罪名被捕入狱虐待殴打，真的太惨了哎哎哎，女主痛苦的演技到位，恨得我想把那几个黑警扒皮抽骨
拖延症拖到现在才看完这部。事件本身的意义大于一切。
片里那种宏大bgm的半喜剧效果真的产生奇异的效果。我们对这种黑暗习以为常，对希望却表现出各种不适应
非常好看且有社会意义。有些桥段过于喜剧化，比如坏蛋警察一次次犯蠢送分，让片子少了一些真实感，也会让人悲观：是不是只有坏蛋没长脑子时，正义才能得到伸张？
这个故事在相当程度上说明结果正义带来的恶。故事是靠着三个关键人物鼎力相助才能走下去，这样的良心人物固然可贵，但只能指望良心的社会着实可悲。程序正义的未来才是法治社会
看过之后，没有感受到谁是特别令人震撼或者说感动，倒是觉得最终沉冤得雪最大的功臣应该是法官高度正直和明辨是非。感觉这片子把正义的化身过多的赋予了律师，而法官的决定性作用弱化到理所应当，这显然缺乏说服力。如果公正法官的表现是常态化的，那打赢这场官司其实并不特别难；如果法官顶住了很多压力，坚持给予公正审判，不卖人情不同流合污，那法官才是更值得描写的英雄呀！
主题较为通俗，故事节奏相当好。中间穿插的音乐段落，中国观众看起来确实有点跳跃。
正片里最爽的，爽片里最正的。大英雄就是要吊打黑恶势力，算是很好看的社会派法律政剧了。用律师和警官身处对立面的两个角色来向观众证明只要人人都把枪口抬高一厘米，只要官员能亲自见见他们所管理的人们，世界就会变好。印度片的情绪总是异常饱满，不给观众留抽离质疑的喘息时间，甚至似乎连空镜都很少，看多了就有点齁得慌。
印度版的《辩护人》？1995年背景，没有人权的低种姓部落，数代都是饱受歧视的“不可接触者”，拿不到居住证、游离于社会之外，可以被随意安上罪名被捕入狱虐待殴打，真的太惨了哎哎哎，女主痛苦的演技到位，恨得我想把那几个黑警扒皮抽骨
而是一个名叫钱德鲁的律师。
这样的题材，还拍得这么好。真是难得。
ps,喜欢片中典型的印度电影音乐；
看误杀的时候就疑惑 印度是不是没有广电总局
确实电影节奏一般，重要的是题材。看到最后部分，心潮澎湃。“我可能会输，但不会放弃抗争”，令人动容。
在歧视正大光明的地方，不会有尊重和平等。法律都覆盖不到，更别谈道德和文明。片尾说顶罪的事情到现在还在发生，人类进步的脚步好慢啊
这样的题材，还拍得这么好。真是难得。
印度好看的电影里恒久的话题：种姓制度！每一出悲剧故事的的发生究其原因都离不开这四个字！所以一整套社会体系里的蛀虫滋生再普遍不过.....人权，低等人他们都不配拥有的；人性，高等人他们拥有的也不会很多...P.S现在的8.7分虚高，大概是因为大众们看印度电影的数量不够
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