antoniocasaca123 A film inspired by a real case of an escape from a French tough of a Nazi prison during World War II. The film is very realistic in the way this story shows us, quite differently from the American style of the prison dramas we are used to seeing. Following a somewhat slow but accurate rhythm the film is always growing and ends up undoubtedly catching us completely. Very good movie, although a little under the best French prison film I ever saw and that was Jacques Becker's "Le Trou", 1960, a film I only saw once for many years but it was always in my memory.

darcyljcleverly For a film thats main spoiler is the title itself, Bresson still manages to maintain a high level of suspense from the opening credits until the closing scene. This is due to the minimalistic nature of the film, the cinematography and dialogue are barebones so that every detail we are shown is purposeful and undeniably part of Fontaine's plan, and although an inexperienced actor at the time, the pathos demonstrated through François Leterrier and the persistence of his character make every little victory a meaningful landmark towards the inevitable escape.

Richie-67-485852 Gem of a foreign film very well acted out to the point where we are part of the movie something few movies can do just right. This one nails it as you watch a man imprisoned and all the suffering that goes with it comes to terms with his situation and then some. That is what draws you in. Its called a role reversal. Would you have done this? Could you have done this? What would you do? Even the other prisoners in the movie doubt and question it. Man cannot be confined and liberty must be his no matter what the circumstances. America was founded on this principal. Here we see the concept acted out from a prisoners point of view. Add to it there are Nazis (injustice) and pending death and suffering and you get it all with this movie. Watch this with no interruptions or distractions if you want maximum viewing pleasure. Look forward to the ending which takes its time drawing you in even deeper and then the grand finale which gives good closure. Get ready to...

Scott44 Robert Bresson's "A Man Escaped" is perfect. He's one of my most favorite filmmakers. His style is very austere; he eschews flamboyant camera work in favor of the rudimentary. I really enjoy Bresson's catalog.The film begins with the protagonist, Fontaine (Francois Leterrier), in the back seat of a police car and on the verge of attempting to escape by opening the door. Just as in the later prison break, Fontaine hesitates to the point where you wonder if he will do it. He does and is immediately arrested. Instead of following Fontaine on the street, Bresson remains with the police officer who is expressionless throughout Fontaine's capture. Reducing everything potentially of visual interest is Bresson's unique style, and it works.Fontaine has been beaten when he arrives at the prison, and he will wear his bloody shirt for the rest of the film. The initial scenes of Fontaine in his cell are hellish. Leterrier's narration informs us that Fontaine expects to be executed. Bresson's austere style makes this seem plausible.Fortunately for him, the French Resistance knows where he is and a stranger who paces the courtyard (with two other men) befriends Fontaine. The narration reminds us that Fontaine has to trust this stranger with secrets that are potentially fatal to others if intercepted by the Gestapo.The Germans in "Man Escaped" are ruthless. There is never the possibility that they will behave as stupidly as the Germans do in "The Great Escape" or "Hogan's Heroes." Bresson makes them real. Here the Germans are shooting spies and three of Fontaine's prison allies will face a firing squad.When Fontaine is moved to another cell he discovers a flaw in the cell's door. He begins slowly carving out the panels, trying not to make too much noise. Early on his actions are opposed by the rest of his cell block. As Fontaine gets closer to making his prison break, the other block members begin telling him he's moving too slow! Fontaine is taken to the Hotel Terminus where his death sentence is read by an unseen official. Fontaine is terrified that he will be either killed on the spot or taken to another cell. He isn't.As Fontaine gets closer to the break out the minimalist dialogue between him and the other cell block members is really strong. A final complication emerges when another man, Jost (Charles Le Clainche), joins Fontaine's cell. Fontaine fears that he is a spy. He has to make his break and can't figure out where Jost stands.The prison break is wildly suspenseful and fairly realistic. Fontaine and Jost have to wait long stretches before taking their next steps. There is a lot of suspense, and Bresson's camera is making it seem real.Bresson really understands Devigny's memoir and renders it perfectly. This is the best prison break movie ever made by a large margin.