A Man Escaped (1956)

Set against the backdrop of Lyon in 1943, A Man Escaped tells the harrowing tale of Lieutenant Fontaine, a valiant member of the French Resistance, ensnared within the cold, unforgiving walls of a Nazi prison. His charge is espionage - a crime that promises a chilling death sentence. The prison, a stark fortress of oppression, brims with men and women accused of conspiring against the Nazis, their fates uncertain as the echoes of firing squad executions haunt the cellblocks. Fontaine's survival teeters on the precipice of malnourishment and paralyzing fear. Yet, within these grim confines, he stumbles upon a glimmer of hope. A subtle weakness in his cell, when paired with an iron spoon he secretly retains, becomes his potential salvation. The flicker of an escape plan begins to kindle in his heart. It's a path demanding meticulous planning, monumental patience, and a steadfast will to outwit his captors. Trust is a luxury, scarce within the prison's dismal labyrinth. Fontaine, a stranger to the other inmates, must navigate a treacherous web of alliances. His plans take an unexpected twist when he is confronted with his impending sentence. This revelation forces him to accelerate his daring escape, pushing him into a high-stakes gamble. A Man Escaped paints a riveting portrait of a man's desperate struggle for freedom. It's a narrative fraught with danger, uncertainty, and the relentless question of who to trust and what lies beyond the prison's oppressive reach. With each passing moment, Fontaine's plan evolves, his resolve strengthens, and his audacious journey to liberty unfolds.

A Man Escaped is a drama movie featuring François Leterrier.

A Man Escaped is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy A Man Escaped on Amazon Video and Apple TV.