The Devil's Trap

A delicacy with the seal of Vláčil's unique vision. True, compared to Marketa Lazarová, it is formally quite light, it lacks the precise game of symbols, but the perfect and unique camera of Rudolf Milíč and the soundtrack, which create a strangely subjective and bizarre world, stand out all the more. The story is a traditional image of the clash between dogma and natural forces, reinforced by an underground three-path motif (one path is blind, the second deadly, and the third leads to the goal) and clearly defined characters (a venomous inquisitor, a vile regent, a natural miller and finally, a pair of lovers). It can't be said that The Devil's Trap is something amazing in terms of the script - it's a relatively simple allegory without much depth, but the way Vláčil tells it (or rather how he makes the viewer feel) bears a clear hallmark of film genius and uniqueness. After the lukewarm introduction, I completely succumbed to the film and was literally wrapped in its audio-visual magic. Few people can do what František Vláčil can... (06/02/2008)

On the one hand, we have Macháček’s “five-star" priest Probus, richness of interpretation, visual delight and an atmosphere which is pretty darn pleasant. On the other, we find a certain tiredness (despite it being so short), estrangement and mainly the dime novel ending. Saying that this is a good movie is like saying I’m a Slavia fan. A goddam lie. (12/12/2008)

Perfect camera, actors who create an unrepeatable atmosphere and metaphorical mysticism in full force within two sentences. And as the sweetest bonus, symbolism that doesn't try to kill me six years before Marketa Lazarová. (12/12/2008)

Thanks to the combination of top-notch camera work, smart editing, and collaboration with Zdeněk Liška, Vláčil's strong weapon became the creation of a suggestive atmosphere. This was also supported by the use of black and white material and Vláčil's lucky hand in selecting the actors. Miroslav Macháček plays the lead role of a priest - a fanatical opponent of the Reformation - in The Devil's Trap. His skillful human manipulator, cunning intriguer, and ruthless power player is a character that is unforgettable. The story is weaker and the film certainly does not match the quality of Vláčil's pinnacle works such as Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees, but I think anyone who is willing to embark on a journey with the curious and fearless miller to the Moravian Karst in the first third of the 18th century will not be disappointed. Overall impression: 75%. (13/12/2018)

Such a slow and yet such a gripping film. And how fantastic it looks - from the very first shot! Well, František Vláčil. For some, The Devil's Trap may be just a prelude to Marketa Lazarová and The Valley of the Bees, but for me it is a full-fledged historical drama about people, nature, God and the devil. Miroslav Macháček gave a great performance. (14/02/2016)