I absolutely love this kind of meticulous filmmaking, the editing and visual storytelling is so dang sharp. How everything is put together makes this based-on-a-true-story narrative feel real. This is supported of course by Jean Keraudy who plays himself, and gives a great introduction. It sure does look like all these dudes dug through a bunch of concrete.
Beyond the great editing and cinematography is a compelling story with strong characters. How can you not love Geo? The story supports interesting themes of being an outcast in a close-knit community, overcoming ostracization through hard work and passion. Buried in this too, and something I don't see discussed about Le Trou too often, are how those themes of being separate from a close community connect with homosexuality. Claude is gay as hell for Manu (very fair), saying things like "No one has ever made me feel this way before", "You make me feel a passion I've never felt." These feelings are not reciprocated and feed into an innate distrust of strangers necessary in both prison and the world as a whole.
Jacques Becker - "The fascinating thing about this story is that it is completely true. About ten years ago, I read a newspaper account of an attempted escape from La Santé Prison and of how five prisoners spent four months digging their way into the Paris sewers. They were caught within minutes of freedom because one of them betrayed the plan to the prison authorities. The ingenuity of their scheme and the courage of the undertaking intrigued me both as a man and as a filmmaker. I prepared a rough draft of a scenario based on the incident; however, due to a previous work commitment, I had to set it aside. Several years later, I discovered that José Giovanni had used the same story as the basis for a best-selling novel. My interest in the project was immediately rekindled. I contracted the book's publisher (Gallimard) and expressed my interest in the screen rights to the novel. Giovanni, himself a former prisoner, was most particular about how his book should be filmed and we spent many long hours discussing the project. Finally, the author agreed that I should make the film and he became my principal collaborator in the preparation of the screenplay. So that the film could be as authentic as possible, we enlisted as technical consultants three members of the original escape who, having served their sentences, were now living in Paris. Among these three men was Jean Keraudy, who plays Roland in the film.
In keeping with our aim to make Le trou totally realistic, I cast the five leading roles with nonprofessional actors. I avoided 'known' personalities because I wanted five men audiences could identify as real people and not as stars 'play-acting' in a new part.
I desired the same sense of naturalism which Vittorio De Sica obtained so perfectly from his amateur players in The Bicycle Thief. Most of the film was shot in the sections of La Santé where the original escape attempt had taken place. Our studio sets, built under the supervision of our three experts, were authentic to the smallest detail.
During the three months of filming, we worked and lived together very much like a family. I feel that this very close personal and professional relationship between cast and crew added much to the production and enabled me to obtain the maximum from both sides of the camera."
This is a real story, made after an autobiographic novel. It's interesting to know that Jean Keraudy (not his real name) plays his own part here. Certainly one of the reasons why the engineering/digging scenes are so realistic, and so good.
As one of the leaders of the "Most Favorited" list and 8,3 on imdb this film seems to get a fair share of hype nowadays - after it was largely forgotten after it's release in 1960 - and that's why I became interested to see it in the first place.
I have to say though that it didn't really blow me away that much. it surely is well crafted and told in a suspenseful and original way for it's time (the lack of music for example). But there just wasn't too much depth or subtext to it, and the ending felt
somewhat disappointing and unsatisfying
. I just believe that it doesn't deserve it's high ranking here. Am I the only one that thought that way?
Very well done prison escape movie. I love the amount of time they spend showing them actually digging / filing away at things. It should be so monotonous but it ends up being very immersing.
So glad I came across icheckmovies.com! Le Trou was one of four movies in the Crime category that I hadn't seen (hadn't even heard of it before), so I decided to see it. And I am so glad I did!
I loved the film and it's my favorite prison/escape movie by far. I sat on the edge the entire running time and kept trying to look over their shoulders for guards. It's been long since a movie had me this involved.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 27
mcmakattack
I absolutely love this kind of meticulous filmmaking, the editing and visual storytelling is so dang sharp. How everything is put together makes this based-on-a-true-story narrative feel real. This is supported of course by Jean Keraudy who plays himself, and gives a great introduction. It sure does look like all these dudes dug through a bunch of concrete.Beyond the great editing and cinematography is a compelling story with strong characters. How can you not love Geo? The story supports interesting themes of being an outcast in a close-knit community, overcoming ostracization through hard work and passion. Buried in this too, and something I don't see discussed about Le Trou too often, are how those themes of being separate from a close community connect with homosexuality. Claude is gay as hell for Manu (very fair), saying things like "No one has ever made me feel this way before", "You make me feel a passion I've never felt." These feelings are not reciprocated and feed into an innate distrust of strangers necessary in both prison and the world as a whole.
Emiam
7/10Exciting and good length, never feels slow. Is not so sure I like the end. Thus nothing said.
On several top lists, classic.
jacktrewin
what a brilliant experience it is to watch this film knowing nothing, as I just did. gripped and in love with it! 9/10Gabor.
this has to be one the best prison escape movieheat_
That movie is explicit example of an utterly underrated movie. A timeless masterpiece.K.
Warning! Spoilers ahead.Jacques Becker - "The fascinating thing about this story is that it is completely true. About ten years ago, I read a newspaper account of an attempted escape from La Santé Prison and of how five prisoners spent four months digging their way into the Paris sewers. They were caught within minutes of freedom because one of them betrayed the plan to the prison authorities. The ingenuity of their scheme and the courage of the undertaking intrigued me both as a man and as a filmmaker. I prepared a rough draft of a scenario based on the incident; however, due to a previous work commitment, I had to set it aside. Several years later, I discovered that José Giovanni had used the same story as the basis for a best-selling novel. My interest in the project was immediately rekindled. I contracted the book's publisher (Gallimard) and expressed my interest in the screen rights to the novel. Giovanni, himself a former prisoner, was most particular about how his book should be filmed and we spent many long hours discussing the project. Finally, the author agreed that I should make the film and he became my principal collaborator in the preparation of the screenplay. So that the film could be as authentic as possible, we enlisted as technical consultants three members of the original escape who, having served their sentences, were now living in Paris. Among these three men was Jean Keraudy, who plays Roland in the film.
In keeping with our aim to make Le trou totally realistic, I cast the five leading roles with nonprofessional actors. I avoided 'known' personalities because I wanted five men audiences could identify as real people and not as stars 'play-acting' in a new part.
I desired the same sense of naturalism which Vittorio De Sica obtained so perfectly from his amateur players in The Bicycle Thief. Most of the film was shot in the sections of La Santé where the original escape attempt had taken place. Our studio sets, built under the supervision of our three experts, were authentic to the smallest detail.
During the three months of filming, we worked and lived together very much like a family. I feel that this very close personal and professional relationship between cast and crew added much to the production and enabled me to obtain the maximum from both sides of the camera."
coffeejazzlofi
(comment removed by mod, please post in English)Windill
This is a real story, made after an autobiographic novel. It's interesting to know that Jean Keraudy (not his real name) plays his own part here. Certainly one of the reasons why the engineering/digging scenes are so realistic, and so good.locovoco
My hands hurt after watching this movie...but in a good wayHippiemans
Slow but one exiting ride!GoonerCinephile
I've just finished watching it and I'm stunned!!!!TrollMovies
As one of the leaders of the "Most Favorited" list and 8,3 on imdb this film seems to get a fair share of hype nowadays - after it was largely forgotten after it's release in 1960 - and that's why I became interested to see it in the first place.I have to say though that it didn't really blow me away that much. it surely is well crafted and told in a suspenseful and original way for it's time (the lack of music for example). But there just wasn't too much depth or subtext to it, and the ending felt
JStein
Very well done prison escape movie. I love the amount of time they spend showing them actually digging / filing away at things. It should be so monotonous but it ends up being very immersing.nicolaskrizan
escapegoat!?http://1001movies.posterous.com/1028
HighCaliber
So glad I came across icheckmovies.com! Le Trou was one of four movies in the Crime category that I hadn't seen (hadn't even heard of it before), so I decided to see it. And I am so glad I did!I loved the film and it's my favorite prison/escape movie by far. I sat on the edge the entire running time and kept trying to look over their shoulders for guards. It's been long since a movie had me this involved.
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