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.
有深意的电影值得被关注，用包容的心、发现亮点的眼光去对待每一名真正改过自新的人。刀爷最后的鞠躬让人看着难受。
事实证明再如何运用传统的基础剧作架构，也必须具有隔离的剧作逻辑。《东北告别天团》起了个非常经典的头，结果随着情节发展，人物动作逻辑就开始越来越飞，脱离常理。崔志佳作为影迷，脑子里都是香港或者好莱坞留下的痕迹，但这些都跟小品创作一样，都是碎片化的拼贴。抖出来一个个包袱，却全然没有能贯穿始终铺垫。最后强行反转也是在填逻辑的漏洞。轻松，笑了，也就是仅此而已。
一部出人意料的喜剧片。开篇很一般，甚至看到这几张脸就有点让人出戏，特别是宋晓峰的人设，简直就是脱离现实但影片却又和现实如此贴近，但影片到了中期就越来越好，特别是一些小细节特别到位，而葬礼一段则是全篇的高潮。个人感受是：在那个社会对刑满释放人员不接受、不认同时，刑满释放人员的改变与忏悔比例是最高的；而在当今这个贫穷是原罪，诈骗、盗窃、吸贩毒、赌博等等各种犯罪刑满释放人员不允许随意查询的今天，相关人员改邪归正的比例反而越来越少、变本加厉的越来越多，甚至监狱与看守所成了修养身体之处。整部影片，反应的是过去的现实而不是今天的，但依然不错，不空不虚也不大。
前半段笑点牵强，刀爷的反转虽然想到了，但是很炸，出狱人员安置主题还是不错的，整体不如烧烤，海燕镜头惊艳
前半段还是挺好玩的，有几个能让人笑的梗，后半段不知道为什么开始煽情，就没什么意思了。
摄影和调度有味道，神似老塔，不愧是央美。
刀爷的演员演技挺好，以前他拍新喜剧之王的时候就看得出来。
一人一部
#BJIFF2021 No.2#北影节主竞赛单元影片，映后还有质量较高的主创见面活动，主创与观众一同全程观看的影片。全片摄影和美术令人印象深刻，其他方面属于一般水平，在资金有限的情况下一部战争片完成到这种程度实属不易。影片故事的大框架像《1917》，风格像《风吹麦浪》，尽管一些地方有似曾相识之感，但仍可见主创在艺术探索方面所做的努力。本片大概值三颗星，但冲着这样怀着赤诚之心为中国电影积极做出探索的主创团队，值得再为他们加一颗星。
诸多类型片的影子，但总体完整流畅，看得轻松而放松。
很一般的劇情，沒有跳出俗套的窠臼～不過還是要支持一下崔志佳，加上那麼多明星捧場，算是誠意滿滿～東北文化還是有很強的感染力的
到后二十分钟之前，能打4星，后面的剧情有点多余
除了最后的升华这个地方扣一星之外。基本完美。
还是挺欢乐的，作为喜剧我觉得合格。喜欢后面葬礼相认那段，还挺感人，觉得停在这里挺好的，最后去“救”人那段有点尴尬。
俗是俗点，但还不算恶俗，作为曾经的“爱笑会议室”主要成员之一，崔志佳这些年露面并不多，不知道是不是因为和乔杉、修睿等人比，他并没有天生一副“喜剧脸”。
哈哈哈哈,稀里糊涂的就猜到结局了,真把人当傻子？
能感觉想学肯洛奇《风吹麦浪》 也能感觉没学好
土嗨土嗨的，看的挺爽
被抖音的段子给骗了，故事细碎，纯靠几个小段子撑着吧
起码比某些导演的片子真诚
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