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.
此电影改变了公主以往的形象，以武力出奇取胜，这个演员付出很多努力，也是拼了。虽然场景和剧情基本只有一处，但很像游戏的最后一关，杀的挺过瘾！
Maggie Q仍然很美很飒身材很好，但故事真是不行，尤其前一刻打的死去活来的两个人下一刻突然就滚起了床单，我就不是很能理解了。
我承认我把电影下错了，本来要看刘德华版的门徒...
女权爽片了，公主一点都不白瘦幼，战斗力超强。
二手书店杀手，让人想到《雅贼》系列，这里还是有趣，但是迈克尔基顿进店询价一节增添了怪诞感。
观感很糟糕，基本没有比较赤激的段落，豪华阵容一点儿用都没有，这不合理。🙄
Maggie Q仍然很美很飒身材很好，但故事真是不行，尤其前一刻打的死去活来的两个人下一刻突然就滚起了床单，我就不是很能理解了。
Q姐不见老啊，还是很漂亮，只是史密斯夫妇那一桥段恶心到了我…
挺一般的，剧情有点儿离谱，当然Maggie Q还是很酷的！
当作爽片看看，主要看李美琪的，但是光环实在太大了
Martin Campbell的作品還是有點質量，保證了節奏的不崩，中段開始敘事語焉不詳，角色動機模糊不清，究竟被誰追殺、為何追殺，人物沒頭沒腦亂殺人，全靠著一場場沒邏輯又臭又長的文戲給霸佔了！Maggie Q終究擺脫不了美豔女殺手的形象，可惜本片動作戲敷衍稀少，毫無亮點，沒能成為自己的John Wick，還要與70的Michael Keaton硬湊couple，毫無化學反應，只覺得噁心。廢戲太多，全靠卡司撐完。
故事围绕伦勃朗和安娜展开，这两个世界上最顶级的杀手将揭露一段发生在越南的神秘往事。多年来，他们游遍全球来互相争夺最抢手的合同。但当安娜的导师穆迪被谋杀时，她和伦勃朗必须结盟，返回越南追捕凶手。
后面黑大爷不话唠的话，不失为一部干净利落的动作片
烂片完全没有逻辑。Maggie Q中枪3次还能移动自如。最后和Micheal Keston对枪也毫无道理。床戏是为了床而床，还盖个手掌。
50/100，透露着浓郁世纪初趣味的时装特工片，段落的生搬硬凑和调度的平庸都让本片仅剩那么一点情怀。
Maggie Q太适合演这种片了，我甚至把这当做一集Nikita来看的
整个片子流畅性特别高。动作戏也很过瘾。MQ身材绝了。片中各种衣服都可以hold 太羡慕了。一口流利的英文也是很喜欢。最后结尾近距离的互相爆头是通过窗户的影子和推门而出的一瞬间来说结果，总感觉有点混淆视线。感觉还有后续。场景在好几个地方拍的。风土人情背景喜欢。局长还是一如既往的诈死╮(╯▽╰)╭
一星给Q颜值，一星给她组枪展现的聪慧，一星给结局
冲着Maggie Q看的，动作戏还算利落。如果不是靠成熟的制作，本片会挺难看。
过时的大女主杀手片，还喜欢玩点烧脑和文艺，绕来绕去的也不算有趣，70岁的迈克尔基顿演这个角色是认真的吗，褶皱的皮肤和稀疏的头发，从头到尾的油腻感，在说出kill me or fuck me 的时候，这部电影彻底毁了。李美琪还行，没完全老去。
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