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.
A movie adaptation of the novel of the same name by Erich Kästner.
他幸运地没有经历日后的历史 而是沉于奔赴旧爱的路上 （看完《歌厅》后发现了相似之处 同属那个战争即将来临的魏玛）
最喜欢的还是初遇时走在夜晚的路上。镜头角度变化多端、画外音引导剧情。fabian说我不想要成为你职业的绊脚石。他们在咖啡馆分别的一幕我以为他们会突然笑起来因为只是fabian写的故事的一种延续，他们还能继续生活在柏林。很有诗意的电影。他说你来柏林想成为伤心但成功的女人现在你真的做到了。没有力量留住爱人也没有力量救回朋友在时代的混乱和残酷之中他如此无力。
前一小时过于吸引我，以至于忽略后半部分的冗长与平庸。
一想到这是个二战前的时代，竟觉得每个人都得到了最好的结束。这是个半夜会辗转反侧的happy ending
是不是没有网络的时候 偶遇和等待一通电话会是世界上最美妙的事情
博士毕业不留在大城市卷，选择回到家乡是他清醒的地方。但拥有电影梦的女友是她的羁绊。动荡年代，每个人只是一粒尘埃，无力改变只能顺应趋势。
从信开始这电影节奏才开始好转，可当你准备进入电影里的时候电影却已迈向了结尾，在我看来完全可以切割掉的前半段，迷迷蒙蒙糊里糊涂，我知道这是一种状态，我知道这是一种状态就够了，我没必要再亲眼感受它一个半钟。
”爱是一种嗜好，要用身体表达。”
当作恶的链条足够长，长到里面的每一个环节都看不到两端的时候，那么他们每一个人都会觉得自己是无辜的。
草他妈啊死编剧我杀了你！ 法比安，我爱你！抱抱你，你是我了解仍然很爱的人！时代变化，战争在发生，世界被自私的人建立起新秩序，忠诚、善良、有责任心的人被新秩序抛弃，所以我存在的世界才是这个操蛋的样子吗？诞生了这个操蛋的编剧，五颗星是给fabian的，编剧只配被我砍死
3小时的片长，老电影的画幅比，勾勒出1930年代魏玛共和国青年男女们的颓废糜烂。
晃动的镜头，游离的人们，糟糕的人生。生活、工作、爱情、朋友都离你远去，当其中任何一点朝你奔来，不幸却悄然降临。学会游泳不是让你学会，而是懂得珍惜。一个人的一生，一个政权的更迭。“活着只是侥幸，死亡才是必然”
房间内
4.5，鲜活的视听手法与文学趣味奇妙共振。揶揄口吻下光怪陆离的柏林一闪而过的阴霾，为"生活"提供了多个模糊的面向。然而婉转的爱情却更能打动人，一如《爱乐之城》那样传统、平庸，却悄然结成了情感的水晶。
扛过前半小时的旁白和蒙太奇就好了。今天连树都更温和了。挨饿都是因为口味挑剔。
我注意不到自己喜欢的东西，你得告诉我。
是汤姆希林主演的巴比伦柏林剧场版特别集，还是《啊，男孩》的纳粹前夜版？都不是，但似乎又都是。
一堂历史课。在恶魔眼中，生命只不过是一页页PPT中的kpi而已
惊觉汤姆希林好像一美，都有双安静忧郁的眼睛。
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