A Man Escaped

A Man Escaped

Directed by Robert Bresson • 1956 • France
Starring François Leterrier, Charles Le Clainche, Maurice Beerblock

With the simplest of concepts and sparest of techniques, Robert Bresson made one of the most suspenseful jailbreak films of all time in A MAN ESCAPED. Based on the account of an imprisoned French Resistance leader, this unbelievably taut and methodical marvel follows the fictional Fontaine’s single-minded pursuit of freedom, detailing the planning and execution of his escape with gripping precision. But Bresson’s film is not merely about process—it’s also a work of intense spirituality and humanity.

A Man Escaped
  • A Man Escaped

    Directed by Robert Bresson • 1956 • France
    Starring François Leterrier, Charles Le Clainche, Maurice Beerblock

    With the simplest of concepts and sparest of techniques, Robert Bresson made one of the most suspenseful jailbreak films of all time in A MAN ESCAPED. Based on the account of an impriso...

Extras

  • “Cinéastes de notre temps”: Robert Bresson

    In this 1965 episode of the French television series “Cinéastes de notre temps,” produced by André S. Labarthe, director Robert Bresson sits down for his first on-camera interview, conducted by François Weyergans, a young writer for “Cahiers du cinéma.”

  • The Road to Bresson

    This 1984 documentary by Leo de Boer and Jurriën Rood is both a primer on Robert Bresson’s style and technique and an account of the pair’s attempt to interview the director during the press tour for his film L’ARGENT. It features interviews with filmmakers Louis Malle, Paul Schrader, Andrei Tark...

  • The Essence of Forms

    This 2010 documentary about director Robert Bresson features interviews with a variety of collaborators and admirers, including actor François Leterrier, director Bruno Dumont, cinematographers Pierre Lhomme and Emmanuel Machuel, and script supervisor Geneviève Cortier.

  • Functions of Film Sound

    This 2013 visual essay sets clips from A MAN ESCAPED to a reading of “Functions of Film Sound,” a chapter from David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson’s book “Film Art.” The chapter analyzes the sound design of A MAN ESCAPED as a means of discussing the use of sound in film. The text is read by actor...

  • Paul Dano on A MAN ESCAPED