Le Trou

Four inmates in a quiet French prison hatch a plan to escape that relies on time, patience and a shared risk. When Claude Gaspard is moved into their cell the group of Geo Cassine, Roland Darban and Manu Borelli decide to bring him into the scheme, hoping his inclusion will strengthen their odds. Over three tense days they work on a hole in the concrete floor, using a bed post as a crude digging tool and guiding the effort toward a concealed exit that feeds into the prison's plumbing. They juggle silences with guards, friendships waver under pressure, and every careful move becomes part of a delicate balance between fear and control. The atmosphere tightens as the plan advances.

Released in 1960, Le Trou is directed by Jacques Becker and adapted from a novel by José Giovanni with a screenplay co written by Giovanni and Jean Aurel. The film combines restrained realism with careful character-driven suspense.

Critics and later film historians often point to Le Trou as a benchmark for the realist prison drama. The emphasis on conversation, small choices and the tactile sensation of the work rather than spectacle helped influence a wave of tightly wound thrillers. The film's attention to routine details and the claustrophobic setting has kept it relevant for fans of procedural storytelling.

Viewers and critics alike highlight the cast as a strength with Michel Constantin, Jean Keraudy and Manu Borelli delivering quiet, precise performances. The story probes how men behave when resources are scarce and options are limited, raising questions about loyalty, trust and the cost of hope inside a prison system that confines time and movement. Becker keeps moral clarity intentionally blurred, letting ambiguity linger as characters weigh risk, duty and friendship.

The Hole has earned enduring respect within French cinema circles but did not rack up major international nominations. It is widely regarded as a high point in Becker's career and a cornerstone for fans of precise, restrained thrillers.