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.
打斗不错，佐藤健的剑术值得逐帧细看。改编后删改了一些我心目中的灵魂片段，tomoe的发型，披肩，纸伞，白梅香，菖蒲花……都没了。石榴花开结果燃烧、剑心的小陀螺、难以愈合的刀伤、“刀鞘”的由来、被短刀划脸时微微低头侧脸……这部作为纯路人看可能挺暴力美学，但对不起，粉丝审美早就被提高了，服化道就一句：一群人讨口子装扮脏兮兮的。桂演得太轻浮，选角方面，冲田，饭冢，外形不贴……看完真人又补了一遍动画才能安心睡去。
国乱之际，剑心为开创新时代变成刽子手，没看过原漫，一腔热情沦为工具的命运不知会否有变。追忆篇讲述剑心脸上十字疤的因缘由来，了解后觉得有些悲凉讽刺，这是人生体验也是命运捉弄。
这一部虽然有点拖沓，但是故事和服化道都做得最好
哇，剧场版电影有在越来越接轨电影，去剧场版化。
这部节奏真的不行，有为虐而拖感，尤其是关键情节人诛篇都有讲的情况下。巴的拉扯感塑造得不够。就为系列情怀加颗星吧。
还没看final，村花这几年真劳模，演技也好
解释了刀疤的由来，第一刀是女主的未婚夫砍的，剑心和女主归隐田园，女主其实是卧底，杀剑心途中，剑心听力和视力暂时丧失，误杀了互相相爱的女主，女主也划上一天刀痕
又要说了“爱要怎样才好看” BE美学才是永远滴神
可能是看过final再看的这个，觉得尚可，但仔细回忆下之前的三部曲明显觉得又略差一些，村花演技没问题但感觉没有巴霜中白梅香的气质，砂糖的演绎也老气了些，桂的诠释反倒是这部的亮点，打戏比感觉少了，文戏又没特出彩，只能算是意料之中的呈现，不功不过吧，4星
其实按我们国人理解，火烧后就可以退出江湖了。但他之后还是继续杀人，意思是只要觉得自己是对的，就可以杀人。所以日本后来入侵亚洲，一战二战，觉得自己对，杀人也是对的？日本骨子里还是军国主义。
最后一部浪客剑心，感情戏真没必要拖这么长。
长的我没法不快进，每个人都在装死人脸说死人话。追忆篇动画yyds!
解释了刀疤的由来，第一刀是女主的未婚夫砍的，剑心和女主归隐田园，女主其实是卧底，杀剑心途中，剑心听力和视力暂时丧失，误杀了互相相爱的女主，女主也划上一天刀痕
终于可以放心死了 以及二人对手戏居然真的有姐弟感 令人感动
啊啊啊啊啊完结了呜呜呜呜呜！！！！好一个有始有终啊啊啊啊啊！！
太血腥了 上海电影节放的时候没有检查入场年龄吗？剑心真的不愧是踏着血走出来的拔刀斋 这段虐恋终究在那个年代下不可能有结果 剑心也从冷面的机器到慢慢有了自己的思考 这大概是就是雪代巴的力量吧 复仇的女人真可怕😱
有些邂逅，虽然短暂如朝露浮萍，也已经成为一生一世的绝响。
作为剑戟片，乏善可陈的动作设计跟运镜，甚至除了自报家门都让人忽略了飞天御剑流的存在。作为前传电影，带着“ta怎么这么强”疑惑的观众只会愈发蒙圈。作为号称站在漫改金字塔顶的系列最终作，连布景的雪都一股莫名的塑料感。这些那些，瑕疵多到让人几乎忘记了，原来黑白页里的剑心变成了这样一个有血有肉的鲜活的银幕形象。以时代为名的虚言面前，挣扎着，徘徊着，也绝望着。而现在，一切都在插入泥土的剑跟摇晃的背影中结束了。愿留在记忆里的只有美好，江湖再无拔刀斋。
果然是之前看过的，又害我看了一遍，雪景yyds，巴——————————！
剧本不错，摄影、灯光、道具、场景都美到极致，佐藤健演得很好。本片的动作戏真漂亮。
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