The Devil's Trap () is a 1962 Czechoslovak

historical film A historical drama (also period drama, period piece or just period) is a dramatic work set in the past, usually used in the context of film and television, which presents historical events and characters with varying degrees of fiction such as ...

directed by

František Vláčil František Vláčil (19 February 1924 – 27 January 1999) was a Czech film director, painter, and graphic artist. From 1945 to 1950, he studied aesthetics and art history at Masaryk University in Brno. Later, he worked in various groups an ...

. It was inspired by Alfréd Technik's novel ''Mlýn na ponorné řece''. It is considered the first part of a loose trilogy of historical films by Vláčil, the others being ''

Marketa Lazarová ''Marketa Lazarová'' is a 1967 Czechoslovak New Wave Epic film, epic period drama film directed by František Vláčil. It is an adaptation of the novel ''Marketa Lazarová (novel), Marketa Lazarová'' (1931) by Vladislav Vančura. Set in the mi ...

'' and ''

The Valley of the Bees ''The Valley of the Bees'' () is a 1968 Czechoslovak historical drama film directed by František Vláčil. The film follows a young man Ondřej who's sent to join the Teutonic order by his father. When he flees the order and returns home, his fri ...

''. The film's main theme is the conflict between religion and science. Religion is represented by a fanatical Jesuit priest, while science is represented by an old miller and his son. Vláčil wanted the film to depict the 17th century as authentically as possible.

Plot

The film is set in the early 17th century. The Regent of Valeč dislikes Spálený, the local miller, whom local people greatly respect. Spálený knows the local lands well, but his family is suspected of

witchcraft Witchcraft is the use of Magic (supernatural), magic by a person called a witch. Traditionally, "witchcraft" means the use of magic to inflict supernatural harm or misfortune on others, and this remains the most common and widespread meanin ...

due to an incident that occurred generations before. When Swedish soldiers arrive and plunder the land, they also burn the mill, but Spálený and his family miraculously survive. Probus, a fanatical priest, is invited to investigate Spálený. Probus unsuccessfully tries to turn the local people against Spálený. Probus and the Regent then attempt to capture Spálený, but he disappears into a cave complex under the mill. Probus and the Regent try to find him, but they cause a landslide. Only Spálený's son Jan and his girlfriend Martina survive.

Cast

* Vítězslav Vejražka as Spálený *

Miroslav Macháček Miroslav Macháček (May 8, 1922 – February 17, 1991) was a Czech theatre director and actor. Life and career Macháček was born in Nymburk. His father was a car painter and a custodian of (and sometimes actor and director in) the theater in ...

as Probus *

Vít Olmer Vít is a Czech masculine given name, the Czech rendition of the Latin name Vitus, popularized through the Christian tradition of Saint Vitus (290–302). Notable people with the name include: * Vít Baránek (born 1974) Czech football player * ...

as Jan * Čestmír Řanda as a Regent * Karla Chadimová as Martina *

Vlastimil Hašek Vlastimil is a common Slavic origin given name originating from the roots: ''vlast'' (homeland) and ''mil'' (favour). A variant of the name is Vlastislav. The Czech name days are 17 March (Vlastimil) and 28 April (Vlastislav). The Slovak name day ...

as Gamekeeper Filip

Reception

Accolades

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Devil's Trap 1960s adventure drama films 1960s historical adventure films 1962 films Films set in the 17th century Films directed by František Vláčil Czech adventure drama films Czech historical adventure films 1960s Czech-language films Czechoslovak drama films 1962 drama films Films about witch hunting Films scored by Zdeněk Liška