The film is based on a true event and I think it is worth noting that in fact Bresson was a prisoner of war (It is not his story though). The attention to detail Bresson gives helps the film feel very authentic and something that you can really buy into.
A Man Escaped is an incredible film with some of the finest direction I have seen. It is amazing how much focus and intensity Bresson puts on the tedious tasks necessary for the man to escape however you feel throughout and at the end of the film that it was all worth it. I in particular like the sequences where he is working on the door.
After a failed attempt to escape at the start of the film from a transport vehicle Lieutenant Fontaine is beaten, imprisoned and condemned to die. He is imprisoned in a small cell with no hope and a fate of death. Fontaine, however, finds the courage and determination to escape this fate. The way Bresson does tackles this, I thought, was very well done as at the start of the film there is no hope of him escaping from this small cell and his fate is secured, it looks impossible to escape. However throughout the film we see Fontaine build hope (At the start he says he has none) and we watch how he devices an elaborate plan to escape. As the film moves along and the hope builds so does the tension which peaks (as you can imagine) at the end. Like many people have said it is quite amazing the amount of tension and suspense the film creates considering that the title of the film gives away what is going to happen.
How Bresson shows the life of a prison camp is quite unique. He shows the harsh and bleak reality of a prison camp without emotional manipulation. Bresson also does not focus much on patriotism for the sake of it. The film just thrusts you right into Fontaine's predicament free of any partisan issues which gives the film universal and a timeless quality. Bresson manages to both give equal weight to what was probably a very humiliating and depressing point in a prisoner of war's day, along with showing the seriousness of their situation without having to get shameless in focusing on such events. He was able to get such extreme emotional depth without resorting to simple-minded sentimentality or embarrassing overacting.
One aspect of the film I thought was very good is the relationship between Fontaine and his boy cell mate (He joins towards the end of the film). Fontaine shows much aggression and force towards the boy cell mate who becomes his partner for escape. He nearly kills the boy without hesitation because he sees the boy as weaker but further thought leads him to realise he can use the boy and in the end he does. It is interesting to see how there relationship develops throughout the film.
The film does allude to John 3 with the subtitle, 'The Wind Blows Where it Wills,' (Linked to the born of water and the spirit discourse) and Bresson choice of prisoner name Fontaine links to fountain another baptism reference. There may also be links to two prominent philosophers Kierkegaard and his work leap of faith and Nietzsche and his view of man finding power within themselves to overcome and dominate. I think the Nietzsche view is very well supported by the final shot of the two men. The film overall gives much more of a personal spiritual feel and a view on existentialism but we do see other spiritual dimensions such as mans' solitude and the gift of God's grace.
By the time we get to the end there is so much suspense and tension built up it creates one of the best and most powerful endings. The use of music at the end is extraordinary especially when looked at in the context of the film where there's so much silence and emphasis on a single sound minimalist like the film in general. The ending in fact is more thrilling than any action movie escape could ever be. You really feel that Fontaine must really escape not simply make the attempt.
After seeing the film you just can't help but think about it. It is a film you can return to over and over again as it is such a powerful experience that reveals layer after layer of mystery and understanding each time we consider and view the film. It's nothing short of a wonder, that is so start and minimal that can create such potent feelings. It is aesthetic very well - stiff deliberate movements, the repetitive shots of daily work, close-ups on hands and overall silence. The film is very well structured there is not a wasted motion or an unnecessary scene.
Overall I think it is one of the finest achievements in film. There is no denying the talent of Bresson you feel that everything he wanted to happen did such as getting the right actors.
A minimalist and emotionally film about friendship and hope.
A Man Escaped is an incredible film with some of the finest direction I have seen. It is amazing how much focus and intensity Bresson puts on the tedious tasks necessary for the man to escape however you feel throughout and at the end of the film that it was all worth it. I in particular like the sequences where he is working on the door.
After a failed attempt to escape at the start of the film from a transport vehicle Lieutenant Fontaine is beaten, imprisoned and condemned to die. He is imprisoned in a small cell with no hope and a fate of death. Fontaine, however, finds the courage and determination to escape this fate. The way Bresson does tackles this, I thought, was very well done as at the start of the film there is no hope of him escaping from this small cell and his fate is secured, it looks impossible to escape. However throughout the film we see Fontaine build hope (At the start he says he has none) and we watch how he devices an elaborate plan to escape. As the film moves along and the hope builds so does the tension which peaks (as you can imagine) at the end. Like many people have said it is quite amazing the amount of tension and suspense the film creates considering that the title of the film gives away what is going to happen.
How Bresson shows the life of a prison camp is quite unique. He shows the harsh and bleak reality of a prison camp without emotional manipulation. Bresson also does not focus much on patriotism for the sake of it. The film just thrusts you right into Fontaine's predicament free of any partisan issues which gives the film universal and a timeless quality. Bresson manages to both give equal weight to what was probably a very humiliating and depressing point in a prisoner of war's day, along with showing the seriousness of their situation without having to get shameless in focusing on such events. He was able to get such extreme emotional depth without resorting to simple-minded sentimentality or embarrassing overacting.
One aspect of the film I thought was very good is the relationship between Fontaine and his boy cell mate (He joins towards the end of the film). Fontaine shows much aggression and force towards the boy cell mate who becomes his partner for escape. He nearly kills the boy without hesitation because he sees the boy as weaker but further thought leads him to realise he can use the boy and in the end he does. It is interesting to see how there relationship develops throughout the film.
The film does allude to John 3 with the subtitle, 'The Wind Blows Where it Wills,' (Linked to the born of water and the spirit discourse) and Bresson choice of prisoner name Fontaine links to fountain another baptism reference. There may also be links to two prominent philosophers Kierkegaard and his work leap of faith and Nietzsche and his view of man finding power within themselves to overcome and dominate. I think the Nietzsche view is very well supported by the final shot of the two men. The film overall gives much more of a personal spiritual feel and a view on existentialism but we do see other spiritual dimensions such as mans' solitude and the gift of God's grace.
By the time we get to the end there is so much suspense and tension built up it creates one of the best and most powerful endings. The use of music at the end is extraordinary especially when looked at in the context of the film where there's so much silence and emphasis on a single sound minimalist like the film in general. The ending in fact is more thrilling than any action movie escape could ever be. You really feel that Fontaine must really escape not simply make the attempt.
After seeing the film you just can't help but think about it. It is a film you can return to over and over again as it is such a powerful experience that reveals layer after layer of mystery and understanding each time we consider and view the film. It's nothing short of a wonder, that is so start and minimal that can create such potent feelings. It is aesthetic very well - stiff deliberate movements, the repetitive shots of daily work, close-ups on hands and overall silence. The film is very well structured there is not a wasted motion or an unnecessary scene.
Overall I think it is one of the finest achievements in film. There is no denying the talent of Bresson you feel that everything he wanted to happen did such as getting the right actors.
A minimalist and emotionally film about friendship and hope.