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.
7.5分，此片可以作为国漫电影又一个小的分水岭，无论是视觉特效还是动作画面都及得上欧美发达的动画工水平，外加上一个完整且主题可升华的故事内容，这就是一部成熟的动画作品了。很多年前还觉得现在小孩只能看喜羊羊和熊出没“怪可怜”的，现在国漫的发展速度我大概可以收回这句话了。还是那句话，能用优秀的电影工业能力来讲好本土化故事，那才叫真正的民族自信，而不是像某狮少年那样有了强大工业能力却“自我丑化”去迎合“洋大人”的扭曲审美！
与自己和解的过程 很久没有过电影结束全场鼓掌的时刻了
除了主角，更明显的是为了节目效果的记者，为了摆脱嫌疑的校方，不断自责的司机女孩，爱慕店长的阿姨，这些才是电影成功的因素，一个个的群像全部立住。古田新太也终于飙了一次演技，把一个固执死板不讲道理的男人演的令人憎恨
为什么要去电影院看动画片……爆米花和薯条都没吃完，不过比较好睡觉还是。
好像谁都有错好像谁都没错，真正错的只有吃人血馒头的无良媒体罢了。为什么一定要失去了才懂得珍惜？感谢导演手下留情拍了一个温情的结尾。ps村长真适合演苦兮兮（
事故之前的女儿就是个空白，没有人在乎她，去世后留下一块空白。
怎么能把宽容理解 人的承受能力 这么俗的主题拍这么好？
古田新太演的真好，真好，松坂桃李及几位配角也是演的很好，全片充斥着痛苦压抑的基调，从一开始就是一种丧到彻骨的感觉，看到古田饰演的父亲一角说出：他们是怎么和解的呢？突然觉得无比心碎，每个人都有错但是每个人又都没有错，最后的鲸鱼画作收的很好，斯人已逝，温柔所留下的，也只剩内心的那一份隐藏的空白。
日影总是会对社会问题，人与人之间的关系探讨的很深刻，一次意外，在媒体的渲染下，所有人都成了受害人，在自我的良心下痛苦不安，到底怎样才能和解啊，这是留给现代人的一个问题，做正确的事就行了吗，可是什么是正确啊，值得人们深思
比想象中好太多！3d效果越来越好了！最主要的是孩子们看的很开心
一个动画电影给我看嗨了，梦想的交织，这一部有雪岭雄风的质量
熊出没系列第一次涉猎科幻题材，还是一个环保主题，嗯，格局大了，不愧是每年稳定收割票房口碑的春节档电影
一个女生去超市偷东西引发的各种问题，节奏稍慢，但每个人物都很鲜明，超市老板没有错，父亲没有错，撞人的女司机也没有错。一切都是人性与处世的探讨。
有点俗的故事不过剧情设计得比较巧妙，节奏也把控得不错，但回想起来它并没有提供更多解读的可能性，每一处好像都指向唯一的答案，结尾的空白也完全是单向度的。日本社会的罪感文化确实恐怖，可惜导演太直白和用力了，且大部分人物都是扁平的。 @2021-12-12 00:56:03
简单化。。。现在的日本人根本拍不了社会派的东西，看动漫都看傻了
春天3D 第一次看熊出没，居然玩得这么炫，看来毛绒玩具才是最终兵器。
十年一战狼，一年一熊出没。
这部完全是按照好莱坞大片拍的，已经可以让成年观众都感到爽了，但是也可以发现两只熊和光头强的人设太拖技术的后腿了。
融梗融的太多，不过作为国产动画，画面不错，加一星鼓励
比想象中好看。本来以为是对人性的剖析、过度报道的批判之类，没想到是一个父亲的告解过程。在司机自杀之后，从她母亲的角度终于意识到问题所在，纠结，不解，再到最后的疲惫、接受现实。
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