I don't know about you but I love prison escape movies and books. The Count of Monte-Christo, Escape from Alcatraz, The Showshank Redemption, to name just a few. One of the best books on the subject is the part when Casanova documented his escape from Piompi prisons. There is something exciting about the subject.

So you might have guessed that this is what Le Trou is all about. Yes this rather old (1960) French film is about a prison escape. The interesting part though is that we have virtually no background on the characters, we do not know whether they are guilty or innocent (though the story implies the former probability). The whole plot is concentrated just around an attempt to escape a prison cell.

The movie starts with a little documentary scene where one of the movie characters claim it to be a real story. The story starts with one of a new prisoners is being transformed into a cell where there were already 5 or 6 other cell mates. The others are displeased about the fact but have really no choice and the new comrade is acting friendly. It is soon revealed that their concern was that they have already planned the escape and the new cell mate might interfere with the plan and squeal. But they have no choice but to initiate him into the plot and he becomes involved in the process. The twist in the end is not exactly unexpected but is handled very nicely. It shows excellent psychological motivation for the behavior and come to think of it, none of the characters involved had really any choice in the events.

The escape sequences are almost silent, showing actions: how they dig, file and hide from the guards. What I really like about this movie is the almost total absence of violence. The prison itself looks quite humane and the guards treat prisoners with certain respect. Some episodes are just showing the everyday prison life like the guard checking the food or men hiding from the guards behind the column are really excellent. The expected stereotype of evil director who is supposed to pick on some prisoner is not present. Oh, he is evil all right (just joking). More cunning than evil and that was a good twist.

It's a very good movie. If you like prison escape movies and want to see a different twist on it, this is the one.

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