The Hole (1960)

The Hole (French: Le Trou) is a 1960 French film directed by Jacques Becker. It is an adaptation of José Giovanni's 1957 book of the same name. It was called The Night Watch when first released in the United States, but is released under its French title today. The film is based on a true event concerning five prison inmates in La Santé Prison in France in 1947. Director Becker, who died just weeks after shooting on the film had wrapped, used mostly non-actors for the main roles in the film, including one man (Jean Keraudy) who was actually involved in the 1947 escape attempt, and who introduces the film. It was entered into the 1960 Cannes Film Festival.

Synopsis

Four long-sentence prisoners are determined to escape. They start digging a tunnel. While they are still at it, the prison direction puts the new convict Gaspard into their cell. They have no choice but to fill him in. At first he's enthusiastic about taking part in the getaway but all of a sudden it shows he will be released soon anyway because the main witness against him had a change in mind. Clueless as they are, Roland, Manu and Géo keep following through on their plan until it becomes evident that Gaspard has betrayed them.

Actors