A Man Escaped (1956)

A Man Escaped (1956)

Year: 2012

Runtime: 99 min

Language: French

Director: Robert Bresson

DramaThrillerWar

Confined within the walls of Fort Montluc, prisoner-of-war André Fontaine meticulously plans a daring escape, spurred by the looming threat of execution. The arrival of a new cellmate initially disrupts his focus, but ultimately provides an unexpected opportunity to execute a more ambitious breakout. He methodically prepares, studying the fort’s layout and routines to overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenge.

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Timeline & Setting – A Man Escaped (1956) (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Man Escaped (1956) (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1943

In 1943, Europe was deeply entrenched in World War II, with the Axis powers asserting control over much of the continent. The year was marked by the growing resistance movements as individuals and groups fought against occupation and oppression, embodying courage and resilience in the face of danger.

Location

Lyon, Montluc prison

Lyon is a historic city in France, known for its architecture and rich history as a center of culture and resistance during World War II. Montluc prison, located in Lyon, is notorious for holding political prisoners during the war and is a symbol of the brutality faced by those involved in the French Resistance.

🏙️ City 🏰 Prison

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

Main Characters – A Man Escaped (1956) (2012)

Meet the key characters of A Man Escaped (1956) (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fontaine

Fontaine is a brave and determined member of the French Resistance. Despite facing brutal conditions in prison, he exhibits remarkable resilience and ingenuity as he devises a meticulous escape plan. His character embodies the struggle for freedom and the relentless spirit of those fighting against injustice.

🦸‍♂️ Heroic 🔍 Resourceful 💔 Resilient

Terry

Terry is a fellow inmate who becomes an essential ally to Fontaine during his imprisonment. Kind-hearted and loyal, he assists by communicating with Fontaine's family and bringing crucial supplies. Terry's character represents the bonds of friendship and support that are vital in dire situations.

🤝 Supportive 🗣️ Communicative 💪 Loyal

Blanchet

Blanchet is an elderly inmate who initially appears indifferent but eventually grows closer to Fontaine through shared experiences. His transformation from isolation to companionship illustrates the importance of human connection, even in the bleakest of circumstances.

👴 Wise 🤔 Reflective 👫 Companion

François Jost

François Jost is a new cellmate who joins Fontaine and presents a complex character with unknown motives. Jost's potential as a traitor creates tension, yet his eventual cooperation with Fontaine emphasizes themes of trust and survival in a hostile environment.

🕵️‍♂️ Suspicious 🤔 Uncertain 🔗 Trustworthy

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

Major Themes – A Man Escaped (1956) (2012)

Explore the central themes of A Man Escaped (1956) (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Freedom

The theme of freedom is central to the narrative as Fontaine battles through the harrowing experience of imprisonment and persecution. His relentless pursuit of liberty showcases the human spirit's determination to break free from tyranny, representing hope amidst despair. The escape attempt serves as a testament to the idea that courage can ignite a path to freedom, even in the darkest times.

🤝 Friendship

Friendship plays a crucial role in Fontaine's struggle for survival in prison. The bonds he forges with fellow inmates like Terry, Blanchet, and Jost not only provide emotional support but also practical aid in his escape plan. This theme highlights the significance of camaraderie and solidarity when faced with oppressive circumstances.

🛠️ Ingenuity

Fontaine's resourcefulness and ingenuity are key elements in his attempts to escape from Montluc prison. His ability to repurpose everyday items into tools for liberation emphasizes the theme of human creativity in overcoming obstacles. It reflects the idea that, even in confinement, hope and innovation can pave the way for the possibility of freedom.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

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Methodical Escape Thrillers like A Man Escaped (1956)

Stories where meticulous planning and quiet tension lead to a desperate breakout.If you enjoyed the step-by-step, realistic escape plan in A Man Escaped, explore more movies like it. This list features similar thrillers and dramas where characters use intelligence and determination to overcome imprisonment, focusing on the painstaking process of breakout attempts.

claustrophobicmethodicalanxiousdesperatehopefultenseprison

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist in confinement who devises a detailed, often improvised, escape plan. The plot is driven by the acquisition of tools, the study of guard patterns, and the overcoming of sequential obstacles. The journey is one of quiet rebellion, where intellect and willpower are the main weapons against a formidable system.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on a realistic, process-driven escape narrative. They share a tense, claustrophobic mood, a slow-burn pacing that builds suspense through detail, and a heavy emotional weight due to the life-or-death stakes of the situation.

Claustrophobic Survival Narratives like A Man Escaped (1956)

Intense stories of individuals surviving against oppressive, confined environments.For viewers who appreciated the claustrophobic tension of A Man Escaped, this section collects movies with a similar feel. Discover similar war dramas and thrillers where characters fight for survival in confined, high-pressure settings, emphasizing psychological endurance and the grim reality of imprisonment.

claustrophobicanxiousgrimdesperatesurvivaltenseoppressivepsychological

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically feature a protagonist isolated in a hostile, confined space—be it a prison cell, a bunker, or a trapped vehicle. The story is a character study in endurance, focusing on their internal struggle, their strategies to maintain sanity and hope, and their meticulous efforts to outlast or overcome their captors or circumstances.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their oppressive, confined settings and the intense psychological experience they create. They share a high level of tension, a heavy emotional weight, a slow or steady pacing that allows dread to build, and a central theme of human survival against overwhelming physical and psychological constraints.

Unlock the Full Story of A Man Escaped (1956)

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A Man Escaped (1956) Summary

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A Man Escaped (1956) Summary

A Man Escaped (1956) Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Man Escaped (1956) with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Man Escaped (1956) Timeline

A Man Escaped (1956) Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Man Escaped (1956) Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Man Escaped (1956)

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