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)
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
- TriviaDirector Jacques Becker used mainly non-actors for purposes of authenticity. In fact, one of his choices was actually involved in the 1947 escape.
- GoofsWhen Geo checks the corridor with the mirror and takes a break to say goodbye to his cellmates, he leaves the mirror in the hole. However, when he goes back to checking the corridor he has to stick the mirror back into the hole first.
- 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.
helpful•312
- Myshkin_Karamazov
- Jun 9, 2008
- How long is The Hole?Powered by Alexa
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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