da best prison-break: 'Le Trou' (1960)
-
Paul P. Powell — 3 months ago(December 12, 2025 05:37 AM)
Earlier in this discussion –I pondered aloud,
"What other stories from the classic or European ranks of cinema are really even in the same ballpark?"
At the time I reckoned there simply weren't any 'near neighbors'. Not in terms of quality or storyline (prison-break).
But I've just recently encountered
"A Man Escaped
" (1956) dir by Robert Bresson.
I would immediately place this as #2 in my esteem. It's an excellent escape yarn.
The experience really surprised me. I've never been a fan of this overtly-intellectual director; darling of cineastes.
I've seen all his most reputed works and never found one of them which was entertaining.
His style is usually painfully slow and introspective, anguished, over-wrought, strained.
I doubted this work would be any different. But –amazingly –he does an impressive job.
For once, his skills are put to use on material which is inherently sturdy enough to handle his brooding style.
Yes indeed. "
A Man Escaped
" is a fine thriller. Meticulously crafter; visual storytelling.
It isn't quite as riveting as, "
Le Trou
" but that's okay.
Paul P. Powell, Pool Player
