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The Devil's Trap (Czech: Ďáblova past) is a 1962 Czechoslovak historical film directed by František Vláčil. It was inspired by Alfréd Technik's novel Mlýn na ponorné řece.[1][2][3] It is considered the first part of a loose trilogy of historical films by Vláčil, the others being Marketa Lazarová and The Valley of the Bees.[4]

The Devil's Trap
Movie poster
Directed by	František Vláčil
Based on	Mlýn na ponorné řece by Alfréd Technik
Produced by	Věra Kadlecová
Starring	Vítězslav Vejražka Miroslav Macháček Vít Olmer
Cinematography	Rudolf Milič
Music by	Zdeněk Liška
Production company	Barrandov Studios
Distributed by	Ústřední půjčovna filmů
Release date	20 April 1962 (1962-04-20)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	Czechoslovakia
Language	Czech

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.[5] Vláčil wanted the film to depict the 17th century as authentically as possible.[4]

Cast

• Vítězslav Vejražka as Spálený
• Miroslav Macháček as Probus
• Vít Olmer as Jan
• Čestmír Řanda as a Regent
• Karla Chadimová as Martina
• Vlastimil Hašek as Gamekeeper Filip

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 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.[6]

Reception

Accolades

Date of ceremony	Event	Award	Result	Ref(s)
1962	Locarno Festival	Special recognition by film press	Won	[7]
1965	Artistic competition at 20th anniversary of Liberation of Czechoslovakia	Main award for feature-length film	Won

References

External links

• Ďáblova past at IMDb

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