This remake of a classic is to become a classic for itself. The story is of a loyal trustworthy man from Marseille during the times of Napoleon. He is trusted to take a message from Napoleon to a friend in Marseille but what he doesn’t know is that the letter is a battle plan. The message is intercepted thanks to a jealous so called friend and he is thrown into the Chateau D’If where he is fed just once a day and whipped once a year on the anniversary of his arrival. Three years have passed when an old man accidentally digs into his cell believing it to be beyond the outside walls. They then together dig another tunnel but all does not go well.

This film is not just about the escape, it also follows the path to revenge once he escapes but escapes all of the big Hollywood clichés and provides interesting little twists all the way through. It cleverly mixes period themes and historical events with humour and action. A very good film which leaves you feeling good and inspired.

see also:
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

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photo © Touchstone Pictures.