Released 29 years ago, this unforgettable film revealed the ending from its title

Directed by Frank Darabont and adapted from a work by Stephen King (just like The Green Line), Les Évadés was released in the mid-90s to some indifference, but has since largely recovered. With an excellent rating of 4,533 stars out of 5, it is today considered one of the greatest films of all time by many movie buffs.

• No one realized it, but 20 years ago, the title of this movie with Tom Cruise revealed the ending.

A title that spoils the ending?

Darabont’s film, especially by two outstanding actors in the service of a painful story, moved millions of viewers and told the sad fate of Andy Dufresne, who is wrongly accused of murdering his wife and sentenced to life imprisonment, and Elise Redding. A prisoner he befriends at Shawshank Penitentiary.

At the time of the release of Les Evadés, it may not have occurred to you, but years later, we see that the French title of the feature film revealed (at least partially) the end of the “story”.

After long hours spent digging a passage through the cell wall, Andy actually takes refuge.

One or two escapees?

“But why is the movie title plural?” Indeed, if Andy manages to leave the penitentiary using his tunnel, Alice does not find her freedom that way. He still has to wait several years for parole. After 40 years behind bars, where he was sent for the murder he actually committed, he finally reunited with his former co-worker outside the penitentiary.

Why is Frank Darabont’s film called Les Evadés and not L’Evadé? Maybe it’s just not to be confused with Charles Bronson’s 1975 film or the Clint Eastwood-directed 1979 Escape from Alcatraz.

Or should we conclude that, in some way, the two protagonists of the feature film ended up escaping their prisons? Andy digs his way to the exit, and Ellis makes a powerful speech in front of the judge, who decides to approve his rehabilitation.

Also note that the film’s original title (which is also from Stephen King’s novel), The Shawshank Redemption, specifically evokes Ellis’ journey.

(Re)discover the Les Évadés trailer…