Four prison inmates have been hatching a plan to literally dig out of jail when another prisoner, Claude Gaspard, is moved into their cell. They take a risk and share their plan with the newcomer. Over the course of three days, the prisoners and friends break through the concrete floor using a bed post and begin to make their way through the sewer system – yet their escape is anything but assured.
Direction
Becker's final film, shot in a real prison with actual inmates.
Sound
No score—just concrete scraping, breathing, and unbearable silence.
Editing
Twenty-minute wordless tunnel sequence that'll ruin your fingernails.
Director
Jacques Becker
Michel Constantin
Geo Cassine
Jean Keraudy
Roland Darban
Philippe Leroy
Manu Borelli
Raymond Meunier
Vossellin / Monseigneur
Marc Michel
Claude Gaspard
Jean-Paul Coquelin
Le lieutenant Grinval
André Bervil
Le directeur de la prison
Eddy Rasimi
Bouboule
Philippe Dumat
Un gardien
Albert Augier
Un gardien
Jean Becker
Un gardien
Lucien Camiret
Maurice Gaillardbois - Le détenu qui refuse de s'alimenter
Gérard Hernandez
Le détenu à l'infirmerie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jean Keraudy, who plays Roland, was one of the real prisoners who escaped La Santé in 1947—the film recreates his actual tunnel route.
Becker died weeks after filming; 'Le Trou' was his artistic testament to human resilience and the cruelty of hope.
FR
