p 　　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 br 　　The Devil 三九 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 三九 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 一九六七 and Valley of the Bees 一九六八 br 　　Set in the late 一六th 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 三九 s prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace br 　　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 br 　　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 三九 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 三九 s door br 　　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 三九 s so fascinating that I wish there was more br 　　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 三九 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 br 　　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 br 　　The Devil 三九 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 三九 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 三九 s therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored p