The first film in Vlácil’s trilogy of visionary historical epics, The Devil’s Trap prefigures his legendary masterpiece Marketa Lazarová (1967).
In early-18th century Bohemia, an innocent miller finds himself under investigation by the Inquisition after daring to question the judgement of a local landowner. At a time when religious authority is absolute, the miller’s understanding of the natural world is interpreted as evidence of a pact with the Devil. With atmospheric imagery and evocative use of sound, the film depicts a cruel but credible world torn between superstition and science.
Presented from the Czech National Archives' new HD transfer, The Devil's Trap makes it's world premiere on Blu-ray.
This Second Run edition also contains cinematographer František Uldrich’s documentary portrait of Vláčil, In the Web of Time (V síti času, 1989) and The Week Starts on Friday (Týden začíná v pátek, 1962), Elmar Kloss’ short film about Czech cinema exhibition in the early 1960s, which features The Devils Trap. Additionally, this region-free Blu-ray also includes a booklet featuring an expansive essay by author and Czechoslovak cinema specialist Peter Hames.
