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.
Directed by Jacques Becker
prison
escape
black and white
urination
warden
manhole
toothbrush
tunnel
hourglass
neo-noir
Rank
#2 in 1960·#91 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
4.5 / 5
Cast
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
Crew
Jacques Becker
Director
Jacques Becker
Screenplay
José Giovanni
Screenplay
Philippe Arthuys
Original Music Composer
Marguerite Renoir
Editor
Serge Silberman
Producer
José Giovanni
Novel
Jacques Becker
Dialogue
José Giovanni
Dialogue
Jean Becker
Assistant Director
Popular Reviews
466 reviews
MopudPRO
10.0★ · 02/10/26
I trusted him too, that’s the worst part
I trusted him too, that’s the worst part
1
Ibrahim
10.0★ · 05/07/26
Genuinely theres nothing I disliked about this film Aged very well Nothing flashy but it was nice visually and had cool shots Story was super engaging and enjoyable The pacing was perfect The characters were very well developed Everything about it just felt very human and real Them digging is so satisfying The ending was truly phenomenal Possibly my favourite ending of all time Films like these are why i love cinema
Genuinely theres nothing I disliked about this film Aged very well Nothing flashy but it was nice visually and had cool shots Story was super engaging and enjoyable The pacing was perfect The characters were very well developed Everything about it just felt very human and real Them digging is so satisfying The ending was truly phenomenal Possibly my favourite ending of all time Films like these are why i love cinema
