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A Man Escaped (1956) | Criteria

Backdrop for A Man Escaped

Poster for A Man Escaped

A Man Escaped

Un condamné à mort s'est échappé

France • French • 1956 • 1h 41m

Director

Robert Bresson

#650Criterion Collection 4.35/5·70.4K ratings·14.5K reviewson Letterboxd

Synopsis

A captured French Resistance fighter during World War II engineers a daunting escape from prison.

Criterion Closet Picks· 7

Bob Odenkirk
Apr 2026
David Remnick
Nov 2025
Jennifer Kent
Sep 2024
Bill Hader
Jul 2024

Credits

Crew

DirectorRobert Bresson

WriterRobert Bresson

CinematographerLéonce-Henri Burel

EditorRaymond Lamy

ProducerAlain Poiré, Jean Thuillier

Cast

François Leterrieras Fontaine

Charles Le Claincheas Jost

Maurice Beerblockas Blanchet

Roland Monodas Priest of Leiris

Related Films

via Criterion Collection

Poster for Army of Shadows

Army of Shadows

1969

Poster for Brute Force

Brute Force

1947

Poster for Diary of a Country Priest

Diary of a Country Priest

1951

Articles

via Criterion Collection

Three Reasons: A Man EscapedApr 1, 2013
David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson Listen to A Man EscapedMar 27, 2013
A Man Escaped: Quintessential BressonTony Pipolo — Mar 25, 2013

Cate Blanchett and Todd Field

Oct 2022

Garrett Bradley

Oct 2021

Josh and Benny Safdie

Mar 2017

Bob Odenkirk
Apr 2026
David Remnick
Nov 2025
Jennifer Kent
Sep 2024
Bill Hader
Jul 2024
Cate Blanchett and Todd Field
Oct 2022
Garrett Bradley
Oct 2021
Josh and Benny Safdie
Mar 2017

The Road to Bresson

The Essence of Forms

Functions of Film Sound

Paul Dano on A MAN ESCAPED

Included in
Directed by Robert Bresson
Position 2
Included in
Directed by Robert Bresson
Position 3
Included in
Sight and Sound’s Greatest Films of All Time: Directors’ Poll
Position 18
Included in
Sight and Sound’s Greatest Films of All Time: Critics’ Poll
Position 24

as Orsini

Jean Paul Delhumeauas Hebrard

Roger Treherneas Terry

Jean Philippe Delamarreas Le Prisonnier 110

Jacques Oerlemansas Chief Warden

Klaus Detlef Grevenhorstas L'Officier de L'Abwehr

Leonhard Schmidtas Escort Guard

Roger Planchonas Guard on a Bike

Once There Was EverythingKogonada — Aug 13, 2017

Hands of BressonKogonada — Jun 17, 2014

10 Things I Learned: A Man EscapedKate Elmore — Apr 5, 2013