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.
配乐，摄影，剪辑都是高水准的
3.5星吧 对比经典缺点还是不少，但是有闪光点。
剧情传统侠义长存，居然成了加分项。主创明显分不清楚唐风与和风，把黑泽明的一些东西照猫画虎搬过来，其实扣分不少。出于对国产网大的鼓励，还是给4颗星推荐。下次多学别人的精华，少学别人的外形。虽说形神兼备对网大是一种苛责，但有神却走形让人难以忍受。长期观看这种伪中华又假东洋的景，对于观众的鉴赏水品也是一种损害。
就算结合大电影，这部也是近年来少有的好的武侠动作片
精气神很足的短篇剧，这才是武侠该有的样子。武只是其一，更重要的是侠义之气。
太有质感了，同款复仇想起《剑雨》《绣春刀》，画面和武打动作不止是漂亮，雪夜杀戮，踽踽独行，颇有些许意境
极简的故事，内容是平庸的。但是动作尚可，粗劣的特效不如没有，效仿《琅琊榜》的处理过于频繁。
带着对网大的成见而来，结果画面之精巧，风格之凌厉，再简单不过的故事所体现出的极简美学，将武侠江湖之快意恩仇诠释得淋漓尽致，把英雄梦还给武林，把谢苗还给那个时代，瑞思拜
看完感嘆譚志剛的演技是如此的自然。之前就對他在牯嶺街的表演就印象極深，這次的角色和“馬公子”有一些共同之處，同時也加入了他自身的特徵，使他能更好融入角色。最後呈現的結果相當不錯，“阿逗”同“馬公子”相比，多了更多内在的層次，。
一个西部片里赏金猎人的故事，套上了武侠的外壳，演员用谢苗找对了，几场武打戏拍得还是有点粗糙，把技能点都点在了布景和近身错骨动作上了，细节部分都是一带而过。想要复原港片武侠的硬桥硬马，还是颇有难度的。摄影技术上够硬了，剪辑风格凌厉快速，导演很聪明，利用好技术+简单讲清楚一个单线索的故事，成就了至少75分的作品。
整部影片的风格和质感都很不错，但故事的单薄影响了观众对武侠江湖爱恨情仇的深入体验，角色数量再庞大一些，角色塑造再深入一些，追赶绣春刀是有希望的。
看完感嘆譚志剛的演技是如此的自然。之前就對他在牯嶺街的表演就印象極深，這次的角色和“馬公子”有一些共同之處，同時也加入了他自身的特徵，使他能更好融入角色。最後呈現的結果相當不錯，“阿逗”同“馬公子”相比，多了更多内在的層次，。
这个动作戏的水准是有的，但是剧本太弱了，人设没立起来
情节简单直接，动作戏还比较干脆利落，除了泡沫大雪花让人出戏之外整体有种八九十年代港片武侠的风味，当然也有不少座头市的影子。片尾音乐大赞！
2022年6月12日，在孤岛的疫情下，在唐山打人事件发生之时，在魔都水漫区当街砍之下，呼唤一下侠义，为众人拾柴者，如果无为社会安定，为人间正义所行之物，所做之人，那将是一个令人失望的地方吧~~~
不要什么大道理，不要炫酷特效，不要什么俊男美女弹琴说爱，老子就要用刀剑拳脚，讨一个公道！
至于剧本和演员嘛，有一说一，就那么回事
不多见的古装武侠片，竟然还真拍出了电影的质感，变态宇文英演的不错，女演员也靓
略有点装比。还有，红颜早提醒你惹不起，如果一开始就告诉你，惹对方会让她惨死送命，你还会坚持选择吗
总的来说，前半段铺垫很不错，后面除了火刀惊艳到之外，张力不够，BOSS战草草了事。
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