Every now and then, but still rarely, I stumble upon a movie which, while looking simple on the surface, has a lot say once you dig more deep into it. What is so profound to be found in the movie in which we witness a prison break? Nay, one in which we know the outcome from the very beginning? Director's decision to reveal us the final outcome in the very title of the movie suggests to me that this isn't really about the prison break. It seems to me that the prison setting is used to communicate something profound. What is that?
We witness a prisoner meticulously planning and carrying out his plan which will eventually get him to freedom. The prison is well guarded. Our prisoner was beaten and is waiting for the sentence, possibly death sentence. He doesn't know what lies ahead. Whom he can trust or which route to take? Is it even possible to escape? There are so many 'what if' questions that it's a waste of energy to enumerate them.
But our escapee wants to be free. He had made a decision: he's not going to wait for the enemy to decide upon his destiny. That intangible, deeply rooted want, is the fuel which keeps him running. You can see it in his eyes. That yearning is strong enough to beat all psychological barriers which stand in front of him.
Am I be able to do that? Not necessarily escape from prison, but be willing to withstand so many difficulties to come to a certain point I find important? The character and spirit Bresson laid in front of us is universal. He has shown us what might be required of us to become what we want to be. For that I'm grateful. And that answers the question.
We witness a prisoner meticulously planning and carrying out his plan which will eventually get him to freedom. The prison is well guarded. Our prisoner was beaten and is waiting for the sentence, possibly death sentence. He doesn't know what lies ahead. Whom he can trust or which route to take? Is it even possible to escape? There are so many 'what if' questions that it's a waste of energy to enumerate them.
But our escapee wants to be free. He had made a decision: he's not going to wait for the enemy to decide upon his destiny. That intangible, deeply rooted want, is the fuel which keeps him running. You can see it in his eyes. That yearning is strong enough to beat all psychological barriers which stand in front of him.
Am I be able to do that? Not necessarily escape from prison, but be willing to withstand so many difficulties to come to a certain point I find important? The character and spirit Bresson laid in front of us is universal. He has shown us what might be required of us to become what we want to be. For that I'm grateful. And that answers the question.