Le Trou (The Hole) (The Nightwatch) (1960)

100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
97% of users liked it
(893 ratings)

Marc Michel plays an imprisoned man awaiting trial for the attempted murder of his wife. He is transferred to another cell, where his fellow prisoners are planning a jailbreak. He decides to go along with the elaborate plan, and the cellmates attempt to tunnel their way to freedom. Le Trou… More Marc Michel plays an imprisoned man awaiting trial for the attempted murder of his wife. He is transferred to another cell, where his fellow prisoners are planning a jailbreak. He decides to go along with the elaborate plan, and the cellmates attempt to tunnel their way to freedom. Le Trou represents the last film of director Jacques Becker, who died shortly after its completion. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Jacques Becker
Written By: José Giovanni, Jacques Becker, Jean Aurel
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: May 26, 1964 Wide
On DVD: Nov 20, 2001

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Jacques Becker's 1959 film was the last great flowering of French classicism; the 'tradition of quality' here goes out with a masterpiece.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The actors, none of whom are familiar, play their roles with such simple, natural force that they become not only bold adventurers but also deeply appreciable friends.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This outstanding drama was the last film to be directed by Becker, who died shortly after its completion.
Tom Milne, Time Out
Classical in its intense simplicity, this is certainly Becker's most perfectly crafted film.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
[An] indispensable film.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Usando a trama como subterfúgio para uma ácida análise social, Becker transformou este seu último trabalho em um filme tenso, inteligente e fascinante, despedindo-se com uma verdadeira obra-prima.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Excellent work from Jacques Becker.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Ingenious, resourceful and bold prisoners try to escape in this French prison-break movie
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Ingenious, resourceful and bold prisoners try to escape in this French prison-break movie
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This was Jacques Becker's last film; he died shortly after the film was released.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark H

The lack of Hollywood-style production values forces the viewer to focus on the men and their plight. They unite over their shared desire to escape. Normally civilization prescribes that a criminal must be punished and serve their sentence. Morally that's justifiable. But these… More
The lack of Hollywood-style production values forces the viewer to focus on the men and their plight. They unite over their shared desire to escape. Normally civilization prescribes that a criminal must be punished and serve their sentence. Morally that's justifiable. But these men don't come off as hardened criminals. They're polite, well mannered, and trustworthy. The responsibility of society to punish these men is never an issue. We want them to break out and that's a testament to how seemingly honorable these men are. The camaraderie of these five men illustrates a close friendship in which Manu, Geo, Roland, and "Monsignor"" must befriend and rely on each other, as well as Claude Gaspard, the outsider. There's a searing humanity that plays out in their shared plan. In this way, there's a temperament to the men that's not readily apparent but slow builds over the course of the story. Loyalty is their most prized virtue and their devotion is quietly profound.
Stella D

becker's final film and it's fantastic. every bit as good and a great counterpoint to bresson's masterpiece, a man escaped. completely nerve wracking
Pierluigi P

Five men propose themselves to start one of the most demanding and yearning tasks for any person in their condition: a flawless prison break. Jacques Becker's relatively premature swansong is a riveting story of amazing simplicity and precision. The suspense displayed is… More
Five men propose themselves to start one of the most demanding and yearning tasks for any person in their condition: a flawless prison break. Jacques Becker's relatively premature swansong is a riveting story of amazing simplicity and precision. The suspense displayed is unbearably tense and involving. An overlooked gem embedded by hope and camaraderie, with topnotch direction and performances.
Eric B

Prison-break stories are somewhat hackneyed now, but not at the time of this gripping 1960 drama. Five cellmates (all unproven actors, including someone who was involved in the real-life scheme that inspired the script) meticulously dig a way out of their claustrophobic cell. The plan… More
Prison-break stories are somewhat hackneyed now, but not at the time of this gripping 1960 drama. Five cellmates (all unproven actors, including someone who was involved in the real-life scheme that inspired the script) meticulously dig a way out of their claustrophobic cell. The plan is detailed enough to include trivia such as constructing a tiny hourglass and "periscope" out of everyday items. The film has no musical score except in the closing credits, and director Jacques Becker's avoidance of such cinematic distractions puts the viewer right in the cell as a sixth prisoner. Elements of the plan seem a little too easy (why didn't anyone hear all that noisy, late-night hacking through cement?) but "Le Trou" is a suspenseful, entertaining ride that will captivate mainstream audiences as well as foreign-film buffs. Sadly, Becker died just weeks before the film's release.
Emily B

Jacques Becker's final film is a fine prison escape drama. Becker used a cast of mostly non-professionals for the five men planning the perfect prison escape. Luckily there are no unnecessary subplots to distract from the suspense, infact it is pretty simple and all we are shown… More
Jacques Becker's final film is a fine prison escape drama. Becker used a cast of mostly non-professionals for the five men planning the perfect prison escape. Luckily there are no unnecessary subplots to distract from the suspense, infact it is pretty simple and all we are shown is the escape in stunning detail, and all the mechanics and processes which go into it. So much more than just you average prison film, highly recommended.