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.
威尔斯唯一一部公映的彩色电影,故事依旧奇情:澳门富商从秘书口中听到一个爱情传说,有人为了香灯有后愿意付钱找人与妻子上床。传说归传说,但澳门富商却要使这个不朽故事成真,找来美女珍.摩露,当正是自己妻子,要她找人轰烈地做爱做的事。乍听下来真是一场天方夜谭,但影片拍来感人至深,53岁的威尔斯与成熟的珍.摩露演出动人不已,最后一个镜头更被影迷形容是「魔术」,令影片入围柏林国际电影节竞逐最佳电影金熊奖。
The only colour film by Welles publicly released is another showcase of the absurdity of human nature. A Macau millionaire is told a legend about someone who is willing to pay a huge sum for someone who would sleep with his wife in order to produce an heir. In an act to make the legend real and to immortalise it, the millionaire finds Jeanne Moreau to be his wife and starts to search for the man who would make love to her. A potent performance by Welles and Moreau makes the film purely magical; a Golden Berlin Bear nominee for Berlin International Film Festival.
An electronics expert creates a huge bookie broadcast system for his crime boss, and takes over operations when his boss is murdered. His greed leads him on a deadly destructive path.
The movie is comprised of six inter-related stories that tell of the frantic days leading up to the most important election ever in Malaysia. It follows the lives of everyday people, who come together for their common love: their country. Each of the stories told shows the meaning of being a true Malaysian.
亨利(加里·格兰特 Cary Grant 饰)是一名英俊帅气的法国军官,在前线,他结识了前来应援的美国陆军妇女队军官凯瑟琳(安·谢里登 Ann Sheridan 饰),尽管两人之间的交流经常伴随着吵吵闹闹,但随着时间的推移,亦产生了真挚而奇妙的感情。
战争结束后,亨利决定跟随凯瑟琳前往美国,结婚并开始幸福的生活,然而此时,一个难题却摆在了他们的面前,那就是亨利并不能取得美国的合法居留权。为了解决这个问题,亨利和凯瑟琳想了一个损招,那就是让亨利打扮成妇女队的军官,混进美国。让两人没有想到的是,这个看似完美的计划执行起来却遭到了诸多变故,他们能够获得最终的“胜利”吗?
This film, very much of its time shows London in the early 1970's. Of course now a different world. Note the old fashion Underground ticket machines, and the Black and White Telly in the flat. The location looks very much like Churchill Gardens, Pimlico, with Battersea Power Station in the background. And, plenty of smoking going on, in pubs, and on the tube. The film is strangely sexy in its own way, with the young girl playing along with the much older man, its really a sexual fantasy come true. It is another one of those British low budget film where the low budget adds to rather that take away value. Watch for fun, which is what it is.