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.
徐峥的部分挺好，很有wes andersen的感觉，色调和构图看得舒服，人物表演也十分自然 ~
补卡 吴京沈腾就好好做演员吧 章子怡太惊喜了！阿菲的如愿真的好听
火箭是
＊2诗，女性视角的航空故事
四个完全不一样的故事，估计各种观众能至少get一个吧，我就get了徐峥的
《少年行》还行吧，机器人的故事。
从《诗》这个片名就对章子怡的风格可见一斑，虽然是首执导筒，但胜在情感细腻，很动人。
总体这种拼盘短片强凑大电影已经很无聊的了，尽管拍的完全靠豪华演员阵容，勉强都可以看，所谓灌输主题先行，根本把电影完全是当工具
《诗》：章子怡有《一代宗师》的感觉，后面升华部分多余。
虽然对于徐峥本人并没有很喜欢，但是他的确有才，也是四个短片中最成熟最厉害的，最值得后期复看回味的，不服真的不行。
虽然不在一个量级没法比较，但《乘风》比《长津湖》的完成度好多了，意外地喜欢第一个故事。看到最后一个成年小小站在人群中，我还在想诶这是谁啊那么帅，啊是吴昱翰，我的审美好统一
《乘风》，2星，吴京重拍了一遍《战狼2》，连举旗都要再来一遍。
＊4少年行，科技，机器人沈腾＆单亲少年
CCTV6 庆幸自己没去电影院。章子怡part绝美，其他的都在干什么？我和我的系列如果做不到第一部的质量还是别拍了越拍越烂。
父亲不善于表达 而且太过理性 导致早些年间父亲的存在感很差 直到近些年才开始提到父亲的重要性
徐峥的部分挺好，很有wes andersen的感觉，色调和构图看得舒服，人物表演也十分自然 ~
《少年行》和《乘风》都半斤八两，沈腾第一次导演的短剧水平一般，吴京强行煽情搞抗日片审美疲劳，是减分项了。
挫折与悲伤
吴京和徐峥的快进了，汪嫂直接跳过，比较完整地看了沈腾。。
“乘风破浪会有时”
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