Distrust and uncertainty arise when four long-term inmates cautiously induct a new prisoner into their elaborate prison-break scheme.Distrust and uncertainty arise when four long-term inmates cautiously induct a new prisoner into their elaborate prison-break scheme.Distrust and uncertainty arise when four long-term inmates cautiously induct a new prisoner into their elaborate prison-break scheme.
- Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
- 2 wins & 4 nominations total
Marc Michel
- Claude Gaspard
- (as Mark Michel)
Jean-Paul Coquelin
- Le lieutenant Grinval
- (as J. Paul Coquelin)
Albert Augier
- Un gardien
- (uncredited)
Jean Becker
- Un gardien
- (uncredited)
Mick Besson
- Deuxième plombier
- (uncredited)
Georges Bielec
- Figurant
- (uncredited)
Raymond Bour
- Un gardien
- (uncredited)
Philippe Dumat
- Un gardien
- (uncredited)
Gérard Hernandez
- Le détenu à l'infirmerie
- (uncredited)
Jean Luisi
- Un détenu
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scene where three different characters take turns breaking through the concrete floor of their cell is filmed in a single, nearly four minute long, shot.
- GoofsMonseigneur steals sand and two ampules so that the inmates can MacGyver an hourglass and accurately measure time. After they succeed and test the hourglass, the inmates state the exact time in minutes one turn of the hourglass measures, while previously stating that none of them had any watch or clock.
(at around 1h 9 mins) This is not a goof. Just as the sand runs out prison/church bells ring. They had adjusted the improvised hour glass and sand volume after the nearby turret clock which can clearly be heard chiming three times. It is fairly common to broadcast the time by also striking the quarters well as the hours. At the beginning of the film during the establishing shot over La Santé Prison church bells can be also heard striking for a prolonged time.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Roland Darban: [stripped, facing the wall under guard] Poor Gaspard.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Mon père, il m'a sauvé la vie (2001)
Featured review
Becker's Swan Song: Too Good To Be Just Another Prison Movie
Jacques Becker's swan song is a real gem of a film. Le Trou has such an amazing kinetic rhythm to it that one both feels and forgets the claustrophobic environs. Based on a real story turned into a novel by one of the "escapees", the film has excellent casting, wonderful (candel-lit!) cinematography and crisp dialog among its other advantages.
The director was terminally ill during the shoot and was to die after making the final cut. Watching this classic now some four decades since auteur's death, one can only wonder what an artist it would take to demand and achieve such breathtaking perfection in art while combating death at the same time.
Do not let yourself be put off by "yet another prison-movie!" talk. It is too good to be just that. So much so that it could merit comparison with Bresson's "A Man Escaped". A very deserving 10 out of 10.
The director was terminally ill during the shoot and was to die after making the final cut. Watching this classic now some four decades since auteur's death, one can only wonder what an artist it would take to demand and achieve such breathtaking perfection in art while combating death at the same time.
Do not let yourself be put off by "yet another prison-movie!" talk. It is too good to be just that. So much so that it could merit comparison with Bresson's "A Man Escaped". A very deserving 10 out of 10.
- Myshkin_Karamazov
- Jun 9, 2008
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Night Watch
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $34,588
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $6,756
- Jul 2, 2017
- Gross worldwide
- $34,588
- Runtime2 hours 11 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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