Would this film have been as compelling I wonder had it been cast with professional actors? Philosophy student Francois Letterier whose face combines sensitivity and spiritual strength is the ideal choice as Devigny. The use of Mozart's 'Kyrie' is inspired and no doubt reflects Bresson's belief that the Hand of God aided Devigny in his miraculous escape from Montluc. The subtitle 'The Spirit breathes where it will' from St. John's Gospel suggests a clear link with Bresson's previous 'Journal d'un Curé de Campagne'. Technically the film is faultless and as Truffaut observed: "It does not contain a single useless shot or a scene that could be cut or shortened." Few films can truly be called 'sublime'. This is surely one of them.
Review of A Man Escaped
