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.
一个杀手，还会突然无缘无故对一个女孩产生怜悯之心，一点转折点都没，也没描写内心深处的转变，难道杀了几十年人还没杀过小孩，那既然有原则，找他的人会不知道他这几十年不杀小孩，偏要找他多个麻烦。一个随便杀警察的人，会对小孩起怜悯之心，太可笑了。
可以一看的。 莫妮卡贝鲁奇，时间已经磨灭了她大部份的美丽
让就快老年痴呆的杀手连姆去杀小女孩，大叔哦不大爷不干了，反手帮警察把坏蛋都利索的做掉了，就这么简单，但让连姆和莫妮卡这么惨死对得起观众嘛，我好几百个片子没看立马就看这部，结果女神被割喉了，过分。
硬是拖剧情啊，还把撞针搞掉了……亿万富翁家里没保安的嘛，随便就进去杀人了……
最精彩的是蒙面人背后抹脖子那一瞬间，毫不拖泥带水。
别再让连姆·尼森杀人营救了好吗？他老了看不出来吗？
让就快老年痴呆的杀手连姆去杀小女孩，大叔哦不大爷不干了，反手帮警察把坏蛋都利索的做掉了，就这么简单，但让连姆和莫妮卡这么惨死对得起观众嘛，我好几百个片子没看立马就看这部，结果女神被割喉了，过分。
6分吧，连姆 尼森老了，莫妮卡更老了。片子没有太多新意，中规中矩吧，看看连姆揍坏人也挺有意思。
连姆尼森老了，不光是演出来的老了，是真的老了，本色出演哈哈哈哈老年痴呆杀手，的确不是一部好电影，但是连姆尼森值得给两星
尼森死了，还有忘的病，老杀手也有下不了手的，对未成年人。有钱人干的事确实为大众不容。人口贩卖，西方很盛行啊。腐败的西方。正义，还得墨西哥人，没霉国什么事儿。
能看，但记不住，反正老爷子就是要干你，不过老爷子这么大年纪了，片子里基本次次都有一夜情或被暧昧、明示暗示，挺厉害的
连叔也开始攒退休金了….还不如上次那个卡车司机的那部片子了
一旦失去了“营救”光环，老尼就godie了，而且是被乱枪射死。一个老年痴呆杀手，因为不杀小孩，从而卷入一场少年人贩卖淫案件，并且自己完成了自我救赎，暗杀了几个小boss，最终的大boss并没有被法律制裁，而是死在了“黑警”手中。
两分给连姆尼森。70岁了还不能好好退休，还在演杀手刺客。真是好敬业。他是我一直都很喜欢的演员，沉着冷静，没有花拳绣腿，却有硬汉一样的身躯。虽然剧情比较老套，但是看到坏人诛杀殆尽还是比较痛快的！证据有时无法改变结果，法律有时也无法制裁。只有心中的正义可以。虽然他杀了无数人，但是他不杀未成年人，这是他心中的“道德底线”，而且为此他付出了自己的生命。70岁的连姆尼森依然英俊儒雅。
这片还行啊，不知道为啥没字幕组做字幕。才知道尼森比成龙还老两岁，未上映的XX营救已经排到了2025年，天啊
虽然片名叫「记忆」，但看完估计不会留下任何记忆。
一星专给三位老廉颇，故事剧本很一般，整体也比较平淡。
尼姆连森营救系列，节奏没有那么拖拉的为数不多动作片，之一:-D
女神也老了，这剧平平的，男主时强时弱。最后十分钟挺好。
《环游地球》后专心“埋”进糙汉路线的Zac，在地球另端渐入佳境；过往痕迹不断地消失，似乎也在迎来更有趣的职业转折
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
