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.
又见Kenty的船戏啦～为女主搞事业很帅气～女主的病及心境的变化好几次都泪目了～最后俩人雪地的相遇、唏嘘…（PS：老师的哭戏还有发展空间）
早衰症拍爱情就是很现实的看见也认不出来，有被哥哥打动到，生病的话还是家人的爱更直观
黄政民从来没有让我失望过，没有多余的废话，干净利落，标准的类型片
拍照的理由、一个很难懂的东西呢。
感觉到了及格线ww 本来看预告的时候觉得两人毫无cp感 但是没想到正片里看着还算ok 多的一颗星给中岛老师的演技 在电影里真的有打动到我
松本的演技这么多年毫无长进 她的脸也是所有日本女演员里人工感最强的 或许五官能不协调到这种地步也算是一种特点
多2星给老师，恭喜你终于是演员了。
剧情狗血老套，多的一星给配角的演技和演技进步的kenty。
纯爱电影，剧情走向没有新意的看了这分钟就知道下边是什么剧情，铺垫部分和高潮部分的起承转合时间分配有点偏差。点进来看这种题材的电影，只要能让你哭出来，那就成功了一半。本体三颗星，多的一颗给中岛进步的演技
为啥要让他们擦肩而过？因为编剧自己都不信短短几个月的恋爱就可以让他不顾一切的去爱她
2022了还是吃死人纯爱这一套😭中岛老师演技进步也太多了 完全没有过去爱豆耍帅那一套 就是一个朴实真诚的男孩子😭每次我觉得我看透了这种年轻人的虐恋之后下一个情节还是能让人嗷嗷大哭 向井康二说的对就是眼泪就是啪嗒啪嗒流 再引用一下中岛老师回复xjk2的邮件“谢谢你把宝贵的时间留给樱花”
BE结局：相爱的人终究想象不到对方白发苍苍的模样。
没想到2022年了还能看到绝症设定这么复古的纯爱电影，不过爱情元素倒不多 或者说不够深刻吧。给我感觉更多的是一种绝症来临之时挣扎的苦痛和折磨，还有命运面前的无力感，剧情是如此真实。樱花和烟花都是绚烂而短暂，但烟花转瞬即逝，而樱花是一片一片逐渐凋落。《恋空》《我的初恋情人》就像烟花，让人记住的是绚烂的时刻，《我的樱花恋人》正如樱花一般，盛开后是开花末期，挣扎努力绽放着最后的花瓣，然后完全凋谢。
恭喜岛又演了一部不上不下的片。不过这个结局其实比想象中的烂大街版本要好一些，人生总有一些遗憾和错过……
节奏快，不拖沓
每当春天来了，美咲会变成满开的樱花，又能见到那个充满梦想，在认真拍照的恋人.....
真的老套且无聊，但是描写女主长期住院的心理那节，还是让我受到了一点点触动
好古早的狗血虐梗 狗血是真的狗血 虐是真的虐
以及男主个别镜头非常少年，扛着自行车下楼梯那段太有青春电影内味了。
真的不算好看！！好平淡啊！但是kenty中间咆哮那里。真的可以！！！加油接点好剧本啊啊啊啊啊啊啊中岛老师！！！哭戏也很好
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