Le Trou
Encyclopedia
The Hole 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 tells the true story of five prison inmates in La Santé Prison
in France in 1947, where the men dig, tunnel, and saw in an attempt to escape.
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
.
Jacques Becker
Jacques Becker was a French screenwriter and film director.Becker was born in Paris, in an upper class background. During the 1930s he worked as an assistant to director Jean Renoir during his peak period, which produced such cinematic masterpieces as Grand Illusion and The Rules of the Game...
. It is an adaptation of José Giovanni
José Giovanni
José Giovanni , was the pseudonym of Joseph Damiani, a French-Swiss writer and film-maker of Corsican origin....
'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 tells the true story of five prison inmates in La Santé Prison
La Santé Prison
La Santé Prison is a prison operated by the Ministry of Justice located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is one of the most famous prisons in France, with both VIP and high security wings....
in France in 1947, where the men dig, tunnel, and saw in an attempt to escape.
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
1960 Cannes Film Festival
-Jury:*Georges Simenon *Marc Allégret *Louis Chauvet *Diego Fabbri *Hidemi Ima *Grigori Kozintsev *Maurice Leroux *Max Lippmann *Henry Miller...
.
Cast
- Michel ConstantinMichel ConstantinMichel Constantin was a French film actor.-Biography:Born to a Russian father and a Polish mother in Billancourt , Constantin made his first film appearance in 1956. His first credited role was in the prison breakout drama Le Trou in 1960.-External links:...
as Geo Cassine - Jean KeraudyJean KeraudyJean Keraudy was the stage name of Roland Barbat. He was known for his multiple prison escapes, most notably from France's La Santé Prison.He served as the inspiration for the character of Roland Darban in José Giovanni's 1957 novel The Hole . The two met while cellmates.In the 1960 film production...
as Roland Darbant - Philippe LeroyPhilippe Leroy (actor)Philippe Leroy, full name Philippe Leroy-Beaulieu is a French film actor. He has appeared in over 150 films since 1960. Leroy has been living mostly in Italy since the 1960s and has worked extensively in Italian cinema, as well as in his native country...
as Manu Borelli - Raymond Meunier as Vossellin / Monseigneur
- Marc Michel as Claude Gaspard
- Jean-Paul Coquelin as Le lieutenant Grinval
- André Bervil as Le directeur
- Eddy Rasimi as Bouboule