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.
这部电影有点不爽，最后的大BOSS竟然不是连姆大叔干掉的，看来大叔真的老了该退休了。
导演欠打。本子吧，有瑕疵，精耕一下应该还不错，可拍的四不像，核心不突出，辅料没有料，冷热节奏乱糟糟，想一出是一出，估计伏笔都不好意思自认，拍成这样，最后几幕竟然还想追寻点意境自我陶醉一下？真糟蹋连姆大叔的演技。
要啥没啥，taste like shit.
沙漠的残酷让人对一切都产生了幻觉，在任何极端的环境下，活下去就是最大的成功。
谁回去雇一个有良心的杀手？然后他还得了老年痴呆……
还算合格的商业动作片。片名虽说是有关“记忆”（影片设定为男主杀手得了阿茲海默症），但影片其实更有趣的一个设定是：如果杀手有了自己的价值判断，虽然接到了“订单”，但只杀他认为该杀的人，故事会向什么方向发展？本片就是讲了这样一个遵守常人价值观但违反“职业价值观”的杀手的故事（豆瓣简介有误导嫌疑）。
挺好看的动作电影，memory's a motherfucker
一个即将退休的老年痴呆杀手，在生命的最后觉悟了要惩恶扬善，然后连智商和命都不要了？
老年杀手的阿兹海默症，当审判来的太慢，那就帮忙手刃幼女性剥削这群毒瘤！#电影 #记忆
连姆尼森居然先go die了，和之前其他电影风格不一样，这是要让位吗
所有人都知道真相，但所有人都保持沉默了。当法律不能彰显正义的时候，诉诸于暴力似乎就成为唯一的选择。迫害儿童的行为是必须严厉打击的，可如果只是语言，就显得如此苍白无力。利益集团的庇护和阻挡，有时更让人感到心惊肉跳。
本来觉得是低分，但有些地方还是可圈可点的。
看来是要彻底榨干尼姆老爷子啊，70的人了，还在干年轻人的活，加一星吧。阅片量少的可以看看
连姆·尼森后飓风营救时代标准三星片，但这部要稍微好看一些。脱离了主角光环的尼森显然找到了更适合自己的路子，既然已经打不动了，不如做个穿针引线的配角助上自己的一臂之力。
比我想象中的好看多了，结尾是情理之中，又是意料之外。我给7分。
上一秒是右边被插了木头，下一秒成左边了？伤口还能转移？？
故事基础还是可以的，双线并行，使得连姆尼森没有像他的其他电影一样过度英勇，逐渐失忆的设定让他多了一丝脆弱。不过结尾确实太随意了，有点不知该怎么收，于是就这样了。
极其老套的剧情，因贪婪而死于荒漠，毫无新意
记忆营救，居然想要一个杀人无数作恶多端的老爷子杀手，不要死，好好活下去。最后给被开除的警探不在场证明，可能是因为警方第一个抓的嫌疑人可能就是他吧，怕他被冤枉进监狱或者出纰漏招供了那个警员，虽然那警员没有给尼森叔说道歉（在尼森叔游轮排队杀了富婆儿子后开车跑路开枪打中了尼森叔），但是最后那一刀，才是真真正正的歉意和告慰这个侠义满满的老年杀手。
虽然片名叫「记忆」，但看完估计不会留下任何记忆。
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