The Devil's Trap (Ďáblova past)

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From of old, many queer tales

have been told about our country.

And it is no happenchance that in each of them

the Devil tampers with people's fates.

THE DEVlL'S PlTFALL

Story and Screenplay by Based on the Novel by

In Lead Roles

Cast

Music by

Film Symphony Orchestra Conducted by

Art Director

Film Editor/Sound Editor Costume Designer

Historical Advisor Make Up Artist/Sound Effects

Art Director's Assistant/Set Designer Costumes/Make Up

Chief Lighting Technician Studio Technician

Assistant Director Director's Assistants

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Executive in Charge of Production

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Directed by

Made by the Creative Group

Show him out! - It will not take long, Regent.

How dare you!

Why did you come?

You have ordered the men to dig foundations for the new barn today.

It is not a good place, my lord.

Is that so? - Don't you remember what happened 5 years ago?

At that very place, your carman Daniel...

Fell into a pit dead drunk.

So? - The pit wasn't there before.

I know this country.

And I know you, miller.

I wanted to...

...to have a clear conscience.

Your serfs seem quite bold, I dare say.

Regretfully, My Lord Bishop, that churl

sits on a freehold farm.

You have lost all the same.

People say he is in consort with the devil.

When I was aspiring for the bishop's see,

my competitor said the same about me.

Well! No ill feeling.

It doesn't seem to bother you.

Although it should! - You have a parish priest.

Indeed! A dimwit that believes in miracles.

You have gone too far, Regent.

You are talking about the spiritual shepherd of your subjects.

This man is their shepherd.

You can never burn him.

What do you mean by that?

Only the devil knows.

It all began almost a hundred years ago.

During the long wars with the Swedes.

My gamekeeper's great grandfather saw it all with his own eyes.

A mill stood on the same place as today.

Only its roof was thatched.

Back then, the miller's grandfather lived there.

Of the same miller you saw a short while ago.

After the Swedes had finally left,

a mass for the miller's slain family was served.

And the place has been called the Burnt Mill ever since.

In short, whom fire leaves unharmed, dreads neither hell nor the Lord.

How came it?

Why didn't they burn in the fire? - It was a miracle.

Light.

Light!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee,

blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now

and in the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to thy word.

Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee

blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary,

mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.

Amen.

Come to me.

Come.

Come, you silly.

Come, don't be afraid.

Let go. Let go! The whole village is here.

Not to worry, they have other things on their mind.

Let go, Filip! - Are my hands too cold?

Let go of me!

Who is it?

Come to the chapel tonight. - I won't.

Will you come? - No!

Quiet. Is something wrong?

We can stop if you wish. - Jakub.

The fourth one. - How comes?

It's the fourth bucket. Go now! Next!

But it's the second one. - Your buckets are twice as big.

The others have just the same.

You will come to work on Sunday. - For a little water?

Be off, churl! - You have no right to do that!

What right are you talking about?

The law doesn't impose corvee for water.

The miller told you that, didn't he?

Or did you read it?

Speak!

Help him!

Let him go!

Father...

Clemency behoves the suzerain.

And obedience the villein. Go!

So you are the priest?

You are not quite how I imagined you.

His Excellency, the Bishop, made a certain promise

regarding your...

He mentioned something about your... - That is correct.

About me being of noble descent.

I beg your pardon. I had no idea...

It is quite all right.

I truly hadn't the faintest idea, Monsignor Probus.

I am a mere chaplain here, Regent.

I have been informed of your troubles.

The bishop, however, certainly does not know

what a disaster the Lord sent upon us.

As far as people remember, there has never been such a drought.

I have noticed.

Our well is the last one with water.

It has its advantages. - I do not understand, Monsignor.

I am a chaplain, Regent.

And in a way,

the drought is grist for the mill.

What's this supposed to mean?

I need someone dependable.

Praise the Lord!

Here's water for everyone!

That was a swell idea, son! - And I don't even

want you to drudge for me.

Come to the chapel tonight.

To the chapel? No.

Why not? - Not there.

Back to work!

Back to work! - Come to the lord's barn.

Back to work!

What did I tell you!

Get moving!

It counts for you too, doesn't it? - What are you doing?

Don't you know how precious water is nowadays?

Is there any left?

Just a little, Father.

That's just what we needed.

I won't drink, Father.

It's good.

It should be, it's from the mill, Father.

God bless you, son.

There's no need to frown.

A miller's shirt can hardly compete with a gamekeeper's coat.

And if she doesn't know, her parents will no doubt tell her.

She doesn't have any. - That's even better.

In that case the suzerain will decide her matters.

We are here, Father.

A horrible abyss. - People say, Father,

that it is the gate to hell.

Give me a stone.

Be careful, Father.

There is no way forward or back for a living creature.

Is the mill far from here? - It isn't, Father.

Come!

Welcome, Father.

I heard you coming.

I am getting to know my new parish

and I would like to speak...

with your father.

We are yeomen, Father.

Is your father here?

He's outside. There's not much work in summer.

What a pity! I wanted to take a look around.

I see you've heard our story.

I didn't come because of that. I'm curious.

I hear water, yet I don't see it anywhere.

But it's dark there, Father.

Let's take the candle. - Not this one!

This one is lit only when the miller passes away.

This is where it springs out.

And where does it go?

Nobody knows, Father.

Do you want me to turn on the millwheel?

There's is no need.

What's in here? - A cellar.

Could I have a look?

Why are there so many candles everywhere?

We are the only mill where the water doesn't freeze.

And in winter, we grind flour overnight too.

I am glad I could show you everything, Father.

Why? - Because you may hear

that the devil turns our millwheel.

We are lucky, Father.

Do you hear me, Father?

Father, the burnt miller!

The miller!

I'm curious to know what you are doing here.

Listen.

Halt! Whoa, beasts!