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.
立意非常不错的影片，年轻一代更需要看看，感受挺进师精神的熏陶，面对挫折时将会更有勇气。
貌似什么都说了，又貌似什么都没说。有剑，但不见燃烧。
原田真人的水准还真是一如既往，拍个流水账都拍不像样。坐等役所广司的河井继之助。
浙派电影的美学很考究，视觉冲击让人久久难忘，人性光辉在水墨画般的光影里被无限扩大，很震撼。
打斗异常精彩！动作设计简练实用、凌厉狠辣
黑白色调凸显战争的残酷，战争越残酷则显得人性越温暖，对比之下更觉得挺进师精神的可贵之处，致敬英雄，学习挺进师精神！
爱极了这部影片的长镜头，一气呵成的镜头语言极大地提升了沉浸感，观影的过程中仿佛一直把自己当做片中人沉浸在那场战争中，是一种非常新奇的体验。
低饱和的调色降低了我对血腥的不适感。
说实话，很失望
《云霄之上》至少不会是一部革命电影，更不会是革命诗电影
不看《云霄之上》应该永远不会知道挺进师的故事，这部浙派电影把无名英雄的故事用诗意的手法讲述出来，让先辈们得以走进观众的视野和内心、走进国富民强的新中国。
（冈田准一在关原演石田三成还行，到这里演土方岁三好像都是短板，前期光顾着看他怎么能这么土，后期光顾着看他身高实在不行。。。。）
大制作啊！有些人物细节还是挺有趣的，杀阵也是实打实地打，不靠慢动作转圈圈。但历史故事太复杂，而电影时长有限，想讲得多就难免就讲不深、显得松垮
一面是使命一面是信仰，如果是你你会怎样选择？这群普通的士兵们做出了最不普通的决定，才成就了今日和平盛世的我们。
抛开录音技术问题，用有美感且具雕琢性的拍法去拍主旋律，未尝不是一种出路。够特别、够独立、结尾的血雨够凶也够扯。挑战谈不上，一场向观众发起的学院派式审美趣味挑衅吧。首映 Cinema
美院的美学审美从来不会被否认，确实很出色也有质感。确实对主旋律片做出了一定的创新和突破。或许主创最后完成的时候自己觉得人物形象塑造很丰满，或者是超现实片段创作很合理，但是事实是在观影的时候“群像”电影只记住了主角A，人物情绪一上来下一秒就切进了剧情开展毫无情感体验，刚要开始深入就如在水面浅浅掠过，没了。超现实片段剪辑得让人感到莫名其妙，甚至不知所云。总的来说，团队想要传达和呈现的最后到观众这一环可能只能勉强打个及格。
面对人性抉择时，挺进师战士有迷茫有困惑但一直没有退缩过，他们将军人的信仰刻在了骨子里，看完影片后大受鼓舞。
同类型国产片里最喜欢的一部，把宏观叙事落点在个体上，主角也不是以往电影主角那样的军事奇才，是战争中更占大比例的“普通”战士，反而更真实更直戳人心。
没有刻意的打造强戏剧冲突，非常写实，一瞬间就能把人拉回那个年代。
很有态度也很有调性的一部电影，值得支持，无论在题材还是在画风质感上都非常可圈可点。
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