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.
这种电影，它在宣扬最本真的善恶，它未必能打动更多的人，但它必须得有普世的意图在，这一点上这部电影做得足够优秀。而也唯有如此，世界才会让人有在进步的感觉在，哪怕是幻觉也好。
名为calling的针刺在十多年前的心上。
印度这样也真的是无力吐槽，人心有善恶，有的冷淡却无诡诈，有的亲密却多两面，冷静下来，不忘初心，你才能找回自己的路。
我总觉得imdb对印度电影的评分偏高，这个不算
中规中矩。虽然小人物对抗强权的剧情很容易引起观众的共情，但整体没有特别出彩的地方，几段歌曲的插入也破坏了叙事连贯性，法庭戏也基本处在我方王者，对方青铜的状态上，没有营造过多的紧张感。
Shame on you! 说谎话跟放屁一样，一脸正义凛然！TA们如果买通了整条证据链上的所有人和物，结果又是怎样。闭嘴，不然就杀了你！TA们在警！面前，只有低头，求饶，哪怕这样，TA们依然没有逃脱悲惨的命运，谁在乎TA是死是活！天生贱种，就因为低种姓，所以杀人放火抢劫偷窃全都是TA们的锅！永远迟到的正义！永远为下一个受害者行动，永不放弃！永远为这颗海星星努力拯救！法院给的不仅仅是判决，而是希望！愿世上多一个这样的律师，正义伸张的那一晚，我睡得无比香甜！我如何为我没有做过的事情认罪！我没有！没有！没有！当孩子问我这笔钱怎么来的，是打死你爸爸的人给的，我不可能这样活着！
手法中规中矩，但事件本身足够打人。国内也不乏类似案件（如列树宾案），也不缺正义的法律警和有骨气的当事人，但维拳和表达空间还是狭窄太多。
五颗星给题材和原型，忽略主角光环和歌舞外挂。
答:讲故事的能力，23＞3＞17。
“尊重一个人的才能取决于他们使用它的目的。”
这种电影，它在宣扬最本真的善恶，它未必能打动更多的人，但它必须得有普世的意图在，这一点上这部电影做得足够优秀。而也唯有如此，世界才会让人有在进步的感觉在，哪怕是幻觉也好。
人性的公平和法律的公平是世界的希望！影片用力还是有点猛，和辩护人还有很大差距。敢于揭露黑暗的影片，以后也许只是奢望了。
种姓歧视，以权谋私，知法犯法。电影的意义大于电影本身，正义值得歌颂。万岁钱德鲁！万岁比姆！
也确实会让人想到我们的九十年代是什么样？
都说这是印度版辩护人，但其实韩国还有一部很优秀的电影叫断箭，律师的老婆仅仅出场几分钟就可以比肩此片女主200分钟的精彩与坚强！五星超赞，好片
#3.5 ；影片里没有涉及到的真正英雄：原型案件里有一位人物，即印共（马）的地区负责人R.Govindan，在影片里几乎没有表现。但实际上，他是一直为此案奔走直至拉贾冤案昭雪的关键人物，甚至受害人妻子得以见到钱德鲁也是在他的帮助和支持之下。警察冲进村子胁迫拉贾家人时，也是他将拉贾的妻子和孩子藏起来，使他们免受威胁和殴打。他为这个案件耗尽心力，受到过数次死亡威胁，投入了十多年的个人时间，最后甚至因此而放弃了婚约，直到39岁才成家。
将近三个小时，有些冗长了。电影本身拍的也就那样吧，分数有些虚高，印度底层贱民遭受种姓制度的荼毒之苦。只是敢于把家底里那些糟粕的社会顽疾一股脑的呈现给世人，就这一点勇气来讲，还是很值得肯定的。
在上级冠冕堂皇要他同流遮羞时他说:
电影里的整个警察系统都烂在根里里，黑漆漆的，官官相护，从高层到警察的一线人员都已经没有心了，只能说印度真敢拍啊。
从全局来看人权斗士可能永远不会完全胜利，但每一场个体的战役都是对生命价值的殊死捍卫。
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