Papillon (1973) User Reviews

A Fine Film Which Does The Book Justice

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 18 May 2009]

Usually, after reading a long book filled with many interesting adventures, watching a two-hour film later winds up being a big disappointment. There is no way a film can give you anywhere near the info you glean from a book, especially one over 500 pages as is the case with "Papillion." Yet, despite most of Henri Charriere's incredible feats of survival, ("Papillion" was Charriere's nickname) this movie is above average and basically does the book justice. The movie runs about two-and-a-half hours and gives enough of a flavor to have the viewer appreciate - at least to some degree - the brutal trials and tribulations Papillion went through in real life.

If you enjoyed this film, the book is a "must-read" for you and very highly-recommend You won't believe all the things Charriere experienced: good and bad. In real life, the man escaped something like eight times and each time went through hell.

Steve McQueen, playing "Papillion," was excellent. He was particularly good at showing the physical effects of years of solitary confinement. By the way, in real life, Charriere was much younger went sent to jail than McQueen was at the time this movie was shot. Papillion should have been played by a younger actor, but who's going to complain when you get an actor of McQueen's caliber?

Dustin Hoffman also was great as Papillion's friend, "Louis Dega," who had a bigger role in the movie than he did in the book. For the most part, Papillion had a number of friends, all helping him over the years. Hoffman also provided some good comic relief to the movie and, heaven knows, it needed it. Take it from someone who has read the book: this is a grim story, worse than what you saw on screen here.

Nevertheless, thanks to the two leading actors and the wonderful work by Director Franklin Schaffner and Cinematograher Fred Koenekamp, this long film entertained. No, it wasn't the caliber of the book, but it's didn't insult it, either, and is definitely worth a look.

The amazing true life story of a man of character...

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 9/10 · 6 September 2005]

'Papillon' is the forceful portrait of a defiant man, who survives harrowing years of his life in small solitary cells, suffering the worst type of brutality and despair... It is the amazing true life story of a man of character called Henri Charriere, a Frenchman sentenced to life at Devil's island for a murder he did not commit... Henri gains his nick name 'Papillon' for the large butterfly (symbolic of freedom) tattooed on his chest...

The film recounts Papillon's tenacity and indomitable spirit, planning and executing a series of failed attempts of escape over many years... We watch his multiple adventures through hundreds of miles of swamp, reaching an encounter with a kind leper colony, a friendly tribe of Indians, and a traitorous nun... Papillon is seen pursued by Indian trustees, and harassed by brutal guards... The power of the movie lies on Papillon's triumph over oppression, his continual perseverance, humanity, honesty, his quiet dignity, and sheer spirit...

Guided this time by one of the most creative directors who offered handsomely 'Planet of the Apes' and 'Patton,' Steve McQueen—as Papillon— exhibits a raw vitality, a complete spectrum of emotions, and a sure command of his technical acting-resources that are breathtaking in their impact..

Dustin Hoffman—in perfect rapport with his role, perceptively invading its every nuance and implication— portrays a quality of character exhibited in the face of impossible adversity... His last scene with McQueen attempting to convince his friend not to leave the island, represents one of the film's most moving, and effective sequence...

Schaffner gives a stirring picture of forsaken men, and takes up the challenge and proceeding to 'beat the system' against incalculable odds... He certainly gives rise to some of the great epics of human courage and fortitude...

Butterfly Man Of Devil's Island

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 18 October 2007]

Watching Papillon today it occurred to me that the film it most resembles is Birdman of Alcatraz. Both Steve McQueen and Burt Lancaster were sent to prison for murder convictions although allegedly McQueen was innocent. Both were based on true characters who wrote, in the case of Lancaster ghost wrote, their own memoirs of their time in the joint and the films are based on those books. And certainly both men were rebel spirits.

In Lancaster's case it's an internal rebellion against the rules of the penal system. Of course in the work he did developing those bird remedies, he rehabilitated himself in a way that 'the system' did not understand.

But in the case of Henri Charriere aka Papillon for the butterfly tattoo on his chest, he just wants out of the penal colony at Devil's Island and makes many attempts to get shed of the place. The film is about his many attempts and his refusal to quit no matter what is done to break him. Devil's Island in the Thirties was not any better than it was when Alfred Dreyfus was doing his time in the tropical prison. Still McQueen is resourceful enough as you will see.

McQueen though he's far from French has the rebel persona that really fits this part. Had he been younger and this been a French production I could have seen Jean Gabin in the role. It's one of McQueen's best roles and he holds your interest throughout this nearly three hour film.

Leading an impressive supporting cast is Dustin Hoffman who plays what we would now call a white collar criminal. He becomes a devoted acolyte of McQueen seeing he's going to need friends himself if he's to survive Devil's Island. He also wants to escape in the worst possible way.

Later on we see Hoffman in a different light as if completing the Birdman of Alcatraz analogy, Hoffman's role is similar to that of Telly Savalas who's a tough character when we first meet him in Birdman, but later becomes acclimated to prison life. Hoffman has worked himself into a nice situation relatively speaking on the Island and has resigned himself that this is his home for better or worse. It's a very good performance by Hoffman as his character changes during the film.

I'd really recommend seeing both Birdman of Alcatraz and Papillon back to back. It's a good prison doubleheader for a rainy afternoon.

" How did you know I had dry leprosy? . . . . I didn't"

[thinker1691 · 10/10 · 29 October 2008]

Henri 'Papillon' Charriere, was a lifetime inmate under the French government's harsh penal system in French Guiana. In his declining years he wrote his memoirs describing his years of incarceration, his cruel mistreatment and daring, multiple escapes. Weather or not he was the actual character of his own book, is disputed to this day. But the fact that he was an inmate is true enough and fits in with the actual site which came to be known as 'Devil's Island.' Court records indicate that Henri Charriere (Steve McQueen) later called " Papillon " which is french for Butterfly, was indeed a minor burglar and safe cracker. His claim he was innocent of murder, may be true enough, due to an unreliable source accusing him in court, yet producing little supporting evidence. Nevertheless, the infamous thief was given a twenty year sentence, which was extended due to his numerous escapes. During his imprisonment, he becomes lifelong friends with an equally famous treasury forger named Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman). Don Gordon (a real life friend of McQueen) plays Julot, an experienced prisoner with his own intentions of escape. Anthony Zerbe is hideously interesting as Toussaint, a ravaged leper, who aids escaping prisoners. The entire film is one remarkable story and becomes an incredible journey, one which transcends the screen and offers audiences, the raw reality of life under the most severe and brutal penal systems in the world. The infamous 'Devil's Island ' today has become synonymous with a hellish place of unspeakable conditions. A fantastic movie for those in search of true-life Classic. ****

Unforgettable, fantastic film, one of my top personal favorites

[JonDavidCampbell · 10/10 · 25 July 2004]

Papillon is one of my all-time favorites films. Steve McQueen is fantastic in the lead role. Dustin Hoffman is at his finest as Louie Dega. Very memorable, unforgettable performances, shocking action scenes and psychological thrills and twists. I cannot write enough good things about this film. After years of looking, I recently found this film on DVD and added it to my collection. This is the kind of movie that you can watch again and again and continue to see things you've never noticed before. This film never gets old and you never grow tired of watching Papillon. Some of the cast includes Vic Tayback also known as Mel from the hit TV series "Alice." He is convincing as a mean, surly prison guard. Also, Billy Tumy known for his role in "Lost in Space" as Will Robinson, plays a young, doomed inmate. There are other character actors included in the cast that you will more than likely recognize throughout the film. I give this film the strongest and highest of recommendations.

A must see...

[osamutoglu · 10/10 · 25 February 2006]

This is the second greatest "run after freedom" movie i've ever seen. Two great actors Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen are able to present you disappointment, happiness, loyalty, patience, hope, insanity, friendship and depression perfectly. Every single scene in the picture has a lot of things to say to you. You might get emotionally confused when watching this movie, you might even sense a little bit of friendship or love between the prison guardians and the prisoners and at the same time you might be able to sense the unreasonable hate. When you are not free, then you have nothing else to lose thus you have to run after your freedom, however do not believe in freedom until you get what you used to have before losing it.

May I never have to go to the pen

[helpless_dancer · 10/10 · 27 May 2000]

Terrifying film dealing with life in prison. Not just any prison, but one way off to itself with few fellow human beings around. I think this was McQueen's finest film ever, and perhaps Hoffman's also. I know it has had a lasting effect on me through the years; I have never forgotten the awesome loneliness the prisoners went through. Great picture, thumbs up.

Excellent film entertainment

[eaglejet98 · 8 June 2002]

Excellent movie. Entertaining and realistic.

Although media promotion hinted that this was another version of "The Great Escape", the movie, and Steve McQueen, avoided what would have been a fatal pratfall - remaking the 1962 POW war film with different costumes.

In fact, this was an excellent film that stood on its own merit(despite the fact that historians claim the story is not true) It was an excellent depiction of the French penal colony in Guana. It would have been great even without McQueen in the title role.

Dustin Hoffman was his usual superb actor, making the most out of his role. McQueen wisely avoided playing himself, and as a result, his role was stronger and believable.

Location scenes and overall plot were superb.

Outstanding film.

Unflinching look at brutal penal colony...gripping but exhausting...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 25 May 2005]

Brutal treatment in a penal colony has been explored on the screen before in such earlier films as I WAS A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG, but never has there been a more graphic expose of the sort of conditions prisoners faced under the worst sort of environment.

At times the film is extremely harrowing to watch, and at other times the story tends to drag a little. But there can be no doubt that STEVE McQUEEN and DUSTIN Hoffman create believable and sympathetic (yet quirky) characterizations and do some of the finest acting of their careers. Their roles are physically demanding and always played with total conviction.

Not for the squeamish, but extremely well acted by the entire cast, great location photography and a nice background score by Jerry Goldsmith. The first half of the story is much more compelling than what happens in the final years and the last half-hour of the film is a bit sluggish in pacing. But overall, a memorable escape film that ranks with the best of other escape stories.

My first viewing of the film years ago made an indelible impression on me, but I must confess that later viewings convinced me that it is not exactly flawless in that the pacing is sometimes much too slow and the ending is somewhat unsatisfying.

One of the most underrated films of all time

[formidible-441-172674 · 10/10 · 7 April 2020]

In my top 20 films of all time. Probably the best performance both Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman have ever given in a film enthused with absorbing detail in every scene, not only of the harshness of Devil's Island but of the psychological impact on the main players and the injustice and cruelty of the life sentences. It works on two levels - psychological and emotional whilst at the same time tells an exciting and dramatic story of escape. It's riveting cinema that went unrewarded by critics - shame on them. Thankfully its proved amongst the public to be an enduring classic.

Well acted and directed, but the story sorely lacks character depth

[thespeos · 7/10 · 21 August 2022]

Another prison escape film ... it's OK, but it's very depressing and has little depth

Here's my breakdown:

STORY: Normally, I don't watch films where the story includes the institutional brutality of others (yes, that's a wide net).

For this reason alone, this story is difficult to watch, but that's not the only reason. The story provides no context for its characters, e.g. Who are they, why are they there, history, etc.

This omission (yes, it's a usually failure) makes for feeling disinterested in the characters, and eventually in the story. The story is protracted (stretched out) by delivering the same situations repeatedly, which only made me feel frustrated with the writing.

For these reasons, I must assume the writers were either immature or lacked the foresight and value of character depth.

ACTING: Solid acting, but McQueen and Hoffman both play to their own personas, which didn't impress me.

ENTERTAINMENT: Moderate value

TEMPO: Mix of violence and conversation means it tends to hobble, but stays on the same course throughout

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Nice

MUSIC / SOUND: OK

DIRECTING / WRITING: Director: Most of Schaffner's work is TV, and you should know I have a very low opinion of TV-people. But he did direct: "Planet of the Apes" (1968) and "Patton" (1970), which are both good films. Otherwise, I thought the directing here was well-done.

Writers: Trumbo has quite a resume, and includes a number a fine films, e.g. "Roman Holiday " (1953), but team writer Semple might not have been equipped considering most of his work was for TV. This story isn't bad writing, per se, but there's TV-influence here that likely deflated the story for me.

Is it a good film? It's OK

Should you watch this once? Maybe, but I would not recommend or seek this out again.

Rating: 7.3.

Classic

[pmtelefon · 10/10 · 19 May 2020]

I remember seeing "Papillon" in the theater (Bellerose, NY). I've seen it many times since. It never gets old. It still packs a punch. Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman both give very good performances. The supporting cast is also very good. The location photography and the music are both top-notch. The violence still shocks. "Papillon" doesn't waste any time. The story starts right away and never lets up. This movie made a big impact on me when I was a kid. All these years later, it still makes an impact on me. "Papillon" is a classic.

McQueen is a Beast

[matthewssilverhammer · 7/10 · 1 May 2018]

This grim and gritty 70s prison drama is a heartbreaking argument for companionship, no matter who are or where life has led you. Sure, it's more than a bit laborious, especially once they're on the run. But there's so much disarming, trippy and downright scary filmmaking going on within dark drama to keep it afloat. McQueen is an absolute beast of strength and emotion; the solitary confinement segment is authentically rough, watching him slowly lose his sanity.

Boring

[kash_george · 3/10 · 16 October 2013]

I'm sorry but I thought this movie was really boring. It felt like it was at least one full hour too long and there were a lot of scenes that were way too drawn out that could have easily been much shorter, or some scenes that could have just been cut out altogether. The guy escapes again and again and ends up in the same place so why do we need to see the entire thing seeming like it is in actual real time taking forever? The end is OK but they could have gotten there sooner. I also thought that Dustin Hoffman's character was very annoying, he just didn't seem too believable. Steve McQueen is about the same in every movie and I like him so I liked him in this. I thought the story was OK especially since it is supposedly based on a real story it just felt way too drawn out and boring to me.

This actually happened

[Petey-10 · 3 August 2004]

Steve McQueen plays Henri "Papillon" Charriere who is sentenced to life in a French penal colony for a murder he didn't do.There he befriends with an other convict Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman).Henri's only goal is to escape.Franklin J. Schaffner's Papillon (1973) is based on a true story.Charriere actually went through all this and then wrote a book. The acting work is unique.Steve McQueen (1930-1980) is superb in the lead.Also Dustin Hoffman (1937-) is excellent as always.This movie is filled with incredible scenes.Everything works perfectly in this amazing movie.If you want to see a dramatic adventure masterpiece this is a movie for you to see.

Terrific! Most underrated film ever.

[GoodfellasFAN · 10/10 · 15 December 2004]

I felt so moved after watching this film. Steve McQueen did a terrific job acting as Henry. Although at times, he just acted as McQueen, he did a wonderful job expressing suffering in the solitary confinement scene, and great towards the end of the movie. Hoffman is always an exceptional actor and in this movie he is no different. Unfortunately it neither won for, nor got nominated for an Oscar, and it deserved to win 3 (supporting actor, actor, picture). As much as I loved the Sting, this movie was better for that year.Some critics gave it a bad review, even a 1973 Roger Ebert article criticized this film. I guess you cant blame them too much, movies were better those days. Note that 1973 was sandwiched between 2 Godfather years.Maybe some people figured that McQueen was just redoing his Great Escape role. Either way, nowadays films are so bad I am just thirsting for a movie this deep. But if the best Hollywood can do nowadays is a glittzy trashpiece like Chicago, we cant expect too much from our times.

island of madness

[igornveiga · 9/10 · 19 July 2022]

This movie is a punch in the stomach, really shocking, the makeup, scenery, clothing, performances especially Steve Mcqueen, are amazing.

I was really intrigued watching the movie and couldn't stop thinking, why do we humans subject ourselves to degrading situations like that? The disproportion of the crime committed to the penalty, subjecting the individual to madness. For anyone like us who has never experienced life in prison, some scenes are sometimes revolting, as much as it is there, something legal in terms of law, I believe that it is not morally acceptable to subject people to such misery and suffering, in my view it would be death is better than literally losing mental control, physical health in every aspect.

Anyway, the film portrays very well what happened on Devil's Island, really shocking, it reminded me a little. Idi i smotri (1985), a film from which I was really uncomfortable with such fidelity to reality.

Enjoyable film upon escapes from an impregnable prison with strong performances

[ma-cortes · 8/10 · 9 April 2005]

The movie centers an unrelenting prisoner (terrific Steve MacQueen , who once exposed : this shooting was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life) is sent to French Guayana in Devil's Island . He is determined to break out from the gaol placed on a deserted and impenetrable island . He befriends an inmate (Dustin Hoffman , a real chameleon actor who here had to wear contact lenses) who's imprisoned for swindle . They will confront lot of dangers and sufferings until reach freedom . McQueen tries a series of escapes but he's always recaptured . The punishments will be terrible and developed in graphic realism .

The story is based on real deeds , it is adapted from an autobiographical best-selling book about a French burglar named Henri Charriere and Dalton Trumbo (previously blacklisted in the famous Black List and he's cast as the Commandant) and Lorenzo Semple Jr. Are the splendid screenwriters . The pic is overlong , about two hours and half , though is neither boring , nor tiring , but entertaining , because of it develops several adventures and happenings . The motion picture had a big success , it was a box office winner . It achieved hits at every cinemas around the world . The film is a magnificent portrayal of tortures and sufferings of the prisoners in far countries . The yarn's title refers to the starring's butterfly tattoo , being based on his actual-life , as Papillon , Henri Charrière , he was 25 when he was sent to French Guyana .

Interpretation protagonists -McQueen, Hoffman- is top notch , they make a magnificent couple . In fact , McQueen did his own stunts , as he even insisted on performing a dangerous leap , as he jumped off a cliff himself . Dustin Hoffman said his interpretation was based on the movie's screenwriter Dalton Trumbo , especially his withdrawn and shy mannerisms which had inspired him when meeting Trumbo for the first time . The support cast , though very secondary , is very fine : George Coulouris , Don Gordon , Gregory Sierra , Victor Jory , among others . The veteran Jerry Goldsmith creates an exciting and atmospheric musical score , he also composed soundtracks for other Schaffner films as ¨Planet of Apes¨ and ¨Boys from Brazil¨ . Fred Koenekamp cinematography is excellent with astounding outdoors of the jungle . The picture was compellingly directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (¨Planet of Apes¨ , ¨Patton¨) . The flick will appeal to prison genre buffs and adventures films fans . Rating : Good and nice . Better than average . Well worth seeing.

Grim and authentic telling of Henri "Papillon" Charrière's time at Devil's Island.

[hitchcockthelegend · 9/10 · 7 April 2010]

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (Planet Of The Apes/Patton), Papillon is adapted for the screen by Dalton Trumbo & Lorenzo Semple Jr. from notorious French felon Henri "Papillon" Charrière's own novel. It stars Steve McQueen (Papillon) & Dustin Hoffman (Louis Dega), is primarily shot in Jamaica & Spain with Fred J. Koenekamp (The Towering Inferno) on photography duties and Jerry Goldsmith provides the score.

Henri "Papillon" Charrière was a crook, a bad egg, he however was sent to the notorious and inescapable prison fortress of Devil's Island for a murder he didn't commit. The film, as is the book, is a fictionalised account of Charrière's time at the penal colony.

The film is probably best described as being a stirring drama of friendship under duress, endurance and opportunism, all neatly blended with an adventure based heart. Schaffner directs it with great technical skill, for in a film with minimal dialogue, he manages to perfectly stifle the viewer with a hot sweaty atmosphere. This is crucial for us to feel the confines of this penal colony life. These men are doing hard time, lets not soft soap it Hollywood style, lets get the feel right, something, that much like Don Siegel also did in 79 with his excellent Escape From Alcatraz, Schaffner does exceptionally well. He is helped enormously by two fabulous performances from McQueen & Hoffman.

McQueen is in his element as Papillon. Always an actor whose ability for dominating scenes without using histrionic acting was undervalued, Papillon goes some way to readdressing the myth that he was more about iconography than actual talent. His solitary confinement scenes are sublime, and this without saying barely a word. As Papillon staves off starvation, madness and disease, McQueen has such a powerful and believable presence that he pulls us into that five by five paces cell alongside him. Incredible! Once again though the Academy ignored McQueen's excellent work and the film only received just the one Oscar nomination for Goldsmith's pinging tropical score. Hoffman's great work was something of a given, meticulous as usual in his preparation (he had studied for weeks about penal colony life), he is the perfect foil for McQueen and the relationship between them is tender yet never twee. Fine support also comes from Anthony Zerbe as a compassionate leader of a leper colony & Victor Jory as an Indian Chief.

The production was an expensive one, with the original budget of $4 million ballooning to $14 million, making it the most expensive film of 1973. A couple of scripts were jettisoned (money down the drain) before Schaffner enlisted Trumbo to write the screenplay. A good move because Trumbo was able to flesh out character relationships that didn't exist in the source novel. Hoffman himself was adamant that he would only play Dega if the film steered away from a buddy buddy formula and gave Dega intelligent integrity. He got it, which is credit to Trumbo since the Dega character is barely formed in the novel, in fact the film version is an amalgamation of several penal colony characters. Trumbo was rewarded with not only a considerable paycheck, but also a bit part in the movie as the colony commandant early in the piece.

Initial critical reaction to the film was harsh, but the public didn't agree since the theatres were packed and the film made almost $50 million Worldwide. This made it Allied Artists most successful film ever. It has since garnered a massive fan base and has been favourably reassessed by a new wave of critics. Those old complaints about it being too sombre and too enduring to get through just don't add up. One only has to note the thematics and essence of the story to know that this is indeed fact. 9/10

Superb performances but that's it...

[lovemichaeljordan · 6/10 · 18 March 2023]

The film features excellent performances by both Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen, with their chemistry being the strongest aspect. McQueen surprised me with his performance, particularly in the scenes where he doesn't speak, conveying a lot through his body language. The scenes of McQueen in the isolation cell are both realistic and disturbing, highlighting the harsh reality of life for prisoners.

The movie's impressive locations were shot on-site, as green screens weren't an option back then. The directing must have been a challenging task.

While the story has potential on paper, it doesn't translate well on the big screen. The plot becomes repetitive, and despite an interesting first half-hour, the movie loses steam.

Uncredited music for PAPILLON

[zxgerard · 10/10 · 31 January 2008]

The music score of Jerry Golsmith for PAPILLON is great. However, I didn't find a very important part : in the movie, during the 2nd escape of Papillon with Maturette and Clusiot, the prison's orchestra plays a music...

I've always wanted to know what was this music, because I found it very appropriate with the action. I supposed it was "classical music" since it was not on the official score of Jerry Goldsmith. But I didn't find it in the credits either, so I made my own search and I found it !

It was "FAUST" composed by Charles GOUNOD in 1859.

...

Good Story ....

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 4 July 2002]

..... But that`s all it is , a story . Having watched several documentries on Devil`s Island there is some debate on weather Henri Charriere had even been an inmate at the penal colony , or if the claimed incidents happened but they all agree on one thing - none of these incidents actually happened to Charriere , other inmates maybe but not to Charrire .

Watching PAPILLON the film ( I`ve never read the novel ...sorry book ) it just doesn`t ring true ****** POSSIBLE SPOILERS ****** on arrival the inmates are warned about madame guillotine but several times in the film Charriere violently attacks guards and Louis Dega is seen to hit a guard over the head possibly killing him , and these two trouble makers survive captivity and recapture without getting their heads cut off ! Also unlikely is the scene where Charriere and Dega`s fellow escapee dies in a very dramatic way - just as Chairrere comes out of a hellhole after spending five years in solitary confinement. How very very convenient to have such a dramatic moment at that particular time , and one of Dega`s victims just happens to work in the reception area of the prison leading to some difficult work detail for him and Charriere , man astronomical bad luck just isn`t the word. Oh and where`s the depiction of " The terrible promiscuity " that History Channel documentaries refer to on Devil`s Island ?

Controversy as to the veracity of Charriere`s book aside PAPILLON is still a rather average film despite its epic qualities , the script is very episodic and disjointed , McQueen gives a brooding performance which isn`t exactly bad but neither is it memorable. Hoffman is good as Dega but I can no longer take him seriously because he looks exactly like Adam Clayton the bass player from U2 ! I`m being serious here , watch PAPILLON and look at a photo of U2 post JOSHUA TREE to see what I mean

A Stark Depiction of Captivity, Mostly True

[atlasmb · 8/10 · 11 February 2016]

I saw "Papillon" on its initial release in 1973 and I found on rewatching recently that I had forgotten most of it. I am not sure what that says about the film, but after decades I was only left with the general impression that a prisoner's life on Devil's Island was horrible.

The story is true to some degree. Whatever its authenticity, the film is impressive in its depiction of a horrible reality--for Devil's Island did exist. And it is a filmic testament to the human spirit and its desire for freedom. Much of the credit goes to Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, who played the two leads. If one is measuring McQueen's acting ability, it might be wise to start with his portrayal of the titular Papillon. Hoffman, on the other hand, has many other tours de force to his credit.

Among the canon of prison films, "Papillon" is certainly first rate. Personally, I prefer "Cool Hand Luke" or "Bridge on the River Kwai", but "Papillon" presents a stark captivity with little dialogue, relying on the camera's close investigation of the minutiae of daily existence as reflected in the prisoners' faces and their bearing. Did McQueen or Hoffman deserve the Oscar for Best Actor? They might have split the vote if both were nominated, but each probably deserved a nomination.

Surprisingly effective

[MOscarbradley · 7/10 · 25 September 2005]

Many people love this movie and think it a great adventure, and for a Franklin J Schaffner film it isn't half-bad, (it has great visual sweep and he certainly makes the most of the locations). It is based on the true story of Henri Charriere who escaped from Devil's Island, but like all 'true stories' you wonder at how much the film-makers, and indeed the man himself, who chronicled the escape in a book, fabricated events. It's really just one escape after another until he finally gets away, but the escapes are exciting in a literal, very widescreen kind of way and even though you know the ending, Schaffner still manages to crank up the suspense.

Steve McQueen is Charriere, ('Papillion'), and he's got a haunted, ferrety look about him; he has the needling determination of a survivor. Dustin Hoffman is the wormy little forger who becomes his friend. They are well-matched. There is a touch of 'Ratso' Rizzo about Hoffman's performance. He hadn't been in movies long and had yet to broaden his range. It's a long movie (two and a half hours) and there isn't anyone else to root for, and though the guards, and some of the other prisoners, are sadistic, the film is surprisingly short of villains.

Good film but book is even better...

[luoslav · 5/10 · 13 August 2008]

Who reads book Henri Chariere: Pappilon know that in film was many many lies, wrong situations, writings and even more.... I know that they cant film everything but if you wanna see "scenes" from book then you will not see them.....only the main ones. Same thing with actors, in book when Pappilon is at Georgetown he looks like 28-30 years old but in film when he is jumping to sea he is looks like 50 years old man with white hair. Another thing.....film is showing only painful parts of his life (exemption of indians). The worse part was when Pappilon escape with Dega and Maturete, in book it was Pappilon, Maturete and Clausiot. Then when they stopped on tropical forest everything happened on 5 minutes (no ants, no 7 days of camping, nothing....just 5 minutes of lies). It will be better for you when you first look the film, then read the book and then again film. You will see differences. I am very disappointed.... :( (sorry for my poor English)