Jacques Becker's classic uber-realist prison escape drama.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7805 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-08-13
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 126 minutes

Synopsis
The story of five prisoners who meticulously plan their escape, only to learn that one of them is scheduled to be pardoned a few days before the jail-break. One of the prison genre's most unforgettable films.

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Customer Reviews

Digging Up A Masterpiece
Wonderful 1960 film. Brilliant performances from a largely amateur cast and magnificent directing by Jacques Becker, who died after the film was edited. A prison cell. Five inmates. They plan to dig their way out. Technical detail is mesmerising. The best jailbreak movie of all time. Metaphor for trying to cheat death. Top recommendation.

All old but only pure gold
Jacques Becker was probably one of the unknowns of French classic cinema. I'm only stating this, because his films were not commercial and did not do so well at the French box office success. Some of his fims, like Casques D'Or, were very successful outside France, especially in the UK. Why was Becker a master of cinema? Simply because his teacher was one of the best directors ever, none other than Jean Renoir. He used to be assistant director through the 30's in almost all of Renoir's masterpieces (eg La Grande Illusion, etc).

What everybody should know about Le Trout (eng. The Hole) is that this movie goes beyond limits, being made in the spirit of French New Wave. They used non professional actors, real places and amazing cinematography. The subject is close to Bresson's ,,A Man Escapes" made earlier than Le Trout in 1956 involving a prison thriller. The action, the script are wonderful and smooth. I will try not to spoil your fun by watching this movie by telling more. It is simply one of the best films ever made!