<p>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.<br/>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).<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>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.</p>
王李丹鈮,丁海峰,李国麟,杜玉明,徐光宇,韩三明
Kelsey Christian,Bonnie Jean Tyer,Maria Olsen
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結城貴史,田边桃子,尾野真千子,蒙·康菲多,BUBOY VILLAR JR.,LESLEY LINA,LOU VELOSO,MANNY PACQUIAO
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Gippy·Grewal,Nimrat·Khaira,Apinderdeep·Singh
朴惠珍,普里扬卡·阿鲁莫汉
玛格特·罗比,雅各布·艾洛蒂,周洪,艾莉森·奥利弗,沙扎德·拉蒂夫,马丁·克鲁勒斯,伊万·米切尔,艾米·摩根,杰西卡·奈佩特,夏洛特·梅林顿,欧文·库珀,薇·阮,米莉·肯特,薇琪·佩珀代因,保罗·瑞斯,Robert Cawsey,加布里埃尔·比塞特 - 史密斯,Louie Benjamin Potts,Treyston Braine,Jaydon Eastman
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Orelsan,Clara Choï,Gringe
Jourdy Pranata,Beby Tsabina,Kevin Julio
桑亚·玛荷塔,Joshi Anantvijay,维贾伊·拉齐,拉兹巴·亚达夫,Neha Saraf,Gurpal Singh,布里杰德拉·卡拉,Ambrish Saxena,Apoorva Chaturvedi,Govind Pandey,Shashi Ranjan,拉格胡维尔·亚达夫,Namrata Dhamija,Shashie Vermaa,Megha Shukla,Dherendra Ku
Bhushaan Manoj,Suraaj Suman,Jayshri Jagtap,Nitin Bansode,Harish Baraskar,Ram Daund,Vidya Joshi,Hemant Kadam,Rani Kasliwal,Vaishali Kendale,Pratiksha Kote,Sandhya Pawase,Hitesh Porje
Slim Baccar,桑杜斯·哈桑,Eya Bellagha,Maya Blouza,穆罕默德·格拉亚,Lassaad Jamoussi,Saoussen Maalej,Lobna Noomene
白澍,梁婧娴,姜震昊,黄羿,王景灏
Orelsan,Clara Choï,Gringe
崔智友,高东河