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.
有点真假美猴王的意思，真悟空被打死，六耳猕猴成了真悟空陪三藏求取正经。片中本体杀掉克隆体后，还要以克隆体名义才能和家人男友一起生活，克隆的意义就是拥有同样的面孔却有自我性格的躯体！#电影 #双重躯体
每一幕都偏离了我的预想，震惊程度堪比去年我心中的神作墨西哥电影《新秩序》
不够爽，不够深刻，不够暴力，不够血腥,什么想要的结果就是什么也得不到。
最惊悚的是全过程没有一个可怕的画面 poor sarah
冷漠、自私、草率、薄情的情绪铺得很满，最后的开放性结局辐射面很大。替身蓄谋毒杀、或者是本身识破阴谋后反杀，这两个结局都造就了片尾的崩溃情绪。看起来不知所云实际上涵义颇深，大约就是看自己怎么去理解了。如此一样样病态的社会现象，却是值得深思的…
当然是复制体活下来了。因为女主嘴角流血的那一刻，才明白过来复制体说的话根本都是假的，她也同样接受了训练，而且比自己的更严格更强。喝水的第一次和二次。女主的嘴、喉咙和水都在动，复制体根本没喝。只不过事情都结束后发现，她得原原本本过着女主曾经的生活。这不是她想要的，但又无可奈何，她已经是那二人手中的棋子儿了。这片子惊悚之处就在于，你最亲近的人竟然会轻易的合谋杀害自己。
蛮喜欢这种能够引起社会话题和情节讨论的电影。
其实女主是否存活对于这个电影的叙事已经不再重要，尽管如此，我觉得大家还是要耐心一点把电影全程看完再做评价。否则各种似是而非的误导真的让人遗憾。
人类的所有问题都是自己创造出来的吧，在解决自己创造的问题的同时往往又夹杂着自我否定
设定算是还行，辛辛苦苦练了一年，就被说服了？毫无防备喝下毒水，你没事吧？
导演给观众的第一印象活下来的是复制体，然后努力以本体身份去活，但进一步试想，活下来的是本体，以复制体的身份，再去模仿本体行为生活，这样的结局那会更有意思。具体哪种，仁者见仁智者见智。
为什么很多人以为最后是复制体活了下来，稍微认真一点应该不难看出最后活下来的还是本体啊。他也看出了男主和母亲是和复制体共同策划了要杀死她 所以将错就错
想给2.5分。决斗场上出现的女人穿着本体的外套+复制体的内搭+裤子+本体鞋子，人不可能穿自己觉得不舒服的鞋子开车的。本体赢。
应该是不错的电影 但是对于我来说太过压抑和无趣了
剧情三星，结尾值得加一星，我更偏向本体活下来的说法（ps原来是星云啊，我就说女主很熟悉！）
被骗了。。。还以为能看美女决斗。。。没想到只有阴谋和欺骗。。。PS：不要低估一颗想活下去的克隆心。。。
不恐怖不惊悚，非常非常荒诞，全程北欧式性冷淡拍法。荒谬到不可能成立的世界观设定，唯一的作用就是说明NOBODY LOVES YOU ，女主一个大写的惨字，这样的母亲和男友早甩早幸福。开放式结局，我倾向于认为是克隆体活下来了
怎么说呢，40分钟的剧集长度就够了，拍成电影就显得冗长，并且节奏很迷。概念有点黑镜的调调。
本体太容易轻信别人了，复制体好阴险，不过最后她也过得不开心，让我意外的是男友和妈妈竟然真的更喜欢复制体。
本体应该move on，否则一年来一点儿成长没有，而且环岛行驶方向不对；复制体则完全没必要伪装成本体…
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