A Man Escaped
Captured French Resistance fighter Lieutenant Fontaine awaits a certain death sentence for espionage in a stark Nazi prison in Lyon, France. Facing malnourishment and paralyzing fear, he must plot an extraordinary escape, complicated by the questions of whom to trust, and what lies beyond the small portion of the prison they are housed in.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Man Escaped (1956) demonstrates carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Robert Bresson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lieutenant Fontaine
Jost
Blanchet
Terry
Orsini
Main Cast & Characters
Lieutenant Fontaine
Played by François Leterrier
A French Resistance fighter imprisoned by the Nazis who meticulously plans his escape from Montluc prison.
Jost
Played by Charles Le Clainche
A young German-speaking prisoner placed in Fontaine's cell shortly before the planned escape, creating a trust dilemma.
Blanchet
Played by Maurice Beerblock
An older prisoner in a neighboring cell who encourages Fontaine and shares information about the prison.
Terry
Played by Roland Monod
A fellow prisoner who communicates with Fontaine and provides moral support during the escape preparation.
Orsini
Played by Jacques Ertaud
An impulsive prisoner who attempts his own escape prematurely and is executed, serving as a warning.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Fontaine sits handcuffed in a car being transported to prison by the Gestapo. This establishes his immediate imprisonment and condemned state - there is no "normal world" shown, only captivity from the first frame.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Fontaine learns he has been condemned to death. The sentence transforms his imprisonment from indefinite to terminal - he must escape or die. This is the event that makes action imperative.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Fontaine commits fully to escape. He begins the methodical work of dismantling his cell door, fashioning a chisel from a spoon. This is his active choice to fight for survival rather than accept death passively. The work becomes his purpose., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Fontaine witnesses Orsini's failed escape attempt and subsequent execution. This false defeat shows that escape is possible (someone tried) but also that failure means certain death. The stakes become viscerally real. The game gets serious., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jost, a young German deserter, is placed in Fontaine's cell just as he's ready to escape. This represents total collapse of his plan - he must either kill Jost to preserve secrecy or trust him and risk betrayal. The "death" is of his solitary plan and autonomous control., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Fontaine chooses faith over fear - he decides to trust Jost and bring him along. This synthesis combines his technical preparation (Act 1 skills) with the spiritual lesson of community and grace (Mirror World teaching). He cannot escape alone; he needs human connection., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Man Escaped's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping A Man Escaped against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Bresson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Man Escaped within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Fontaine sits handcuffed in a car being transported to prison by the Gestapo. This establishes his immediate imprisonment and condemned state - there is no "normal world" shown, only captivity from the first frame.
Theme
A fellow prisoner or guard delivers the film's central theme about faith and action: "The wind bloweth where it listeth" - suggesting that escape requires both human will and divine grace working together.
Worldbuilding
Fontaine is brought to Fort Montluc, processed, and placed in his cell. We learn the rules of prison life: the washing routine, the empty yard walks, the communication systems between prisoners, and the brutal consequences of disobedience. Establishes the world he must navigate.
Disruption
Fontaine learns he has been condemned to death. The sentence transforms his imprisonment from indefinite to terminal - he must escape or die. This is the event that makes action imperative.
Resistance
Fontaine debates whether escape is possible. He observes everything, tests the door, begins making contact with other prisoners including Blanchet and Terry. He receives advice and warnings. Orsini tells him about failed escape attempts. He must decide whether to risk it.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Fontaine commits fully to escape. He begins the methodical work of dismantling his cell door, fashioning a chisel from a spoon. This is his active choice to fight for survival rather than accept death passively. The work becomes his purpose.
Mirror World
Fontaine develops relationships with fellow prisoners - Terry, the Pastor, and others. These connections represent community and shared humanity in the face of dehumanization. They mirror his spiritual journey and provide the human connection that sustains hope.
Premise
The "fun and games" of meticulous escape preparation: scraping away at the door panels, creating tools, making rope from bedding and wire, gathering intelligence about guard routines. Bresson shows the painstaking process in detail - this is what the audience came to see.
Midpoint
Fontaine witnesses Orsini's failed escape attempt and subsequent execution. This false defeat shows that escape is possible (someone tried) but also that failure means certain death. The stakes become viscerally real. The game gets serious.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as Fontaine completes his preparations while guards grow more suspicious. He makes hooks for climbing, perfects his rope, and finalizes his plan. Time is running out. The execution of other prisoners reminds him his time is limited. Every sound could mean discovery.
Collapse
Jost, a young German deserter, is placed in Fontaine's cell just as he's ready to escape. This represents total collapse of his plan - he must either kill Jost to preserve secrecy or trust him and risk betrayal. The "death" is of his solitary plan and autonomous control.
Crisis
Fontaine wrestles with the terrible choice: murder an innocent boy or risk everything on trust. He questions divine providence, his own judgment, and the meaning of his faith. This is his dark night - the spiritual crisis that tests his soul, not just his will to survive.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Fontaine chooses faith over fear - he decides to trust Jost and bring him along. This synthesis combines his technical preparation (Act 1 skills) with the spiritual lesson of community and grace (Mirror World teaching). He cannot escape alone; he needs human connection.
Synthesis
The escape itself: Fontaine and Jost work together, using all the prepared tools and ropes. They navigate the prison, climb walls, kill a guard when necessary, and ultimately reach freedom. The plan works because of both meticulous preparation and trust.
Transformation
Fontaine and Jost disappear into the night outside the prison walls, free. The final image shows they have escaped - a transformation from condemned prisoner to free man. The title card reminds us this is a true story. Faith and action have achieved grace.