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.
僧格为了救人献出了自己宝贵的生命，这种舍己为人的美好品质值得我们每个人敬佩。
很温暖的一部影片，曾经也想去支教，可惜没有实现，因此十分佩服电影的主人公，独自一人去藏区支教，和孩们建立了很深的感情
没想到这么惊艳。美美的画风，淳朴的人民，没有夸张的渲染。就是想给编剧寄刀片，最后感人哭的不行。
这部影片给我的感觉就是一直在历经磨难，太难了
藏区的风景真的很美，还有一点印象很深刻的就是电影配乐，和画面结合的很好也很好听。
若是上无老母，下无妻儿，谁会不愿意燃烧自己的青春呢，支教很好，可是压力太大了，没有金钱的维持，家庭都要垮掉，但是会尽我所能帮助山区孩子及老师
我不曾到达的地方,我的学生若是去了,那便是我也去过了。看着这些孩子，我忽然就明白了当老师的意义。
现在社会上，很多人对教师的误解很深，其实老师也很辛苦的，希望大家看了这个电影，可以给老师多一些尊重和理解。
看到僧格去世，想起了网友们问为什么军人优先，因为无论是战争还是和平，当在每一次危情来临，军人都无条件地逆行而上，把危险留给自己，为生命开辟出坦途。
电影很温情、文艺，拍摄画面很美，辽阔的草原，人美、心美、风景美。还有孩子们渴望知识的眼神真的很动人。电影感觉缓缓道来很平淡又很激昂共情。
拍的很细腻 让我们了解了西藏以及西藏人 湛蓝的天空、青青的草原、淳朴的人们、知识的渴望共同构成了一幅美丽的画卷 知识改变命运 祝愿所有西藏的小朋友们好好学习 学成后建设美丽西藏
在草原上看星空这样的故事情节挺美好的，只可惜没有给星空拍的特写，只能靠观众自己想象
韩老师在支教三年的过程中遇到了所在藏区小学那难以想象的艰苦贫瘠，和那些学生们难能可贵的对学习知识的渴望。在藏区孩子们的眼里，老师就是他们学习知识，改变命运的希望，因此孩子们发自内心对韩老师充满尊敬和爱恋。最终韩松在朗措兄妹的关爱和孩子们的期盼中，没有离开藏区小学，而是选择了永远留在美丽草原上藏区小学任教。
遗憾的是，韩老师和女主最后也没有一个孩子，如果有一个属于自己的孩子，他们应该会更幸福吧
很温暖很治愈，喜欢这种平平淡淡充满温情的片子。
很满意的一个平凡人的不平凡的一生，也许我们的生活没那么多精彩，但我们活的很真实
诶，中国还是有很多这样伟大的人滴，真庆幸生在在中国，希望国家越来越好，多多帮助困难的地区和家庭，明年毕业了，把证考完也想去尝试下支教，尽微薄之力吧
鑫宝推荐我很久这部电影，休假和鑫宝一起看～心里很暖，心里有光，信念和坚持很温暖。结局有点点不够满意，一直演到老师去世，似乎就太直接了一些，老师的生活化就被抹去了不少，只像是一个典范的存在了。
电影节奏太快了，有点跟不上，感觉什么事都讲了，但什么也没讲明白
艺术来源于生活，然而现在人们不是那种陶冶情操的时代了，所以比起文艺片我更喜欢喜剧
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
