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    Papillon

    • 19731973
    • RR
    • 2h 31min
    IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    124K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    834
    452
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen in Papillon (1973)
    Watch {VideoTitle}
    Trailer4:09
    1 Video
    99+ Photos
    BiographyCrimeDrama

    A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
    A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
    A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
    A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
    A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.

    • Director
      • Franklin J. Schaffner
    • Writers
      • Dalton Trumbo(screenplay)
      • Lorenzo Semple Jr.(screenplay)
      • Henri Charrière(book "Papillon")
    • Stars
      • Steve McQueen
      • Dustin Hoffman
      • Victor Jory
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Franklin J. Schaffner
    • Writers
      • Dalton Trumbo(screenplay)
      • Lorenzo Semple Jr.(screenplay)
      • Henri Charrière(book "Papillon")
    • Stars
      • Steve McQueen
      • Dustin Hoffman
      • Victor Jory
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 225User reviews
    • 78Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 4:09
    Theatrical Trailer

    Photos191

    Steve McQueen and Gregory Sierra in Papillon (1973)
    Dustin Hoffman in Papillon (1973)
    Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen in Papillon (1973)
    Steve McQueen in Papillon (1973)
    Dustin Hoffman and Robert Deman in Papillon (1973)
    Dustin Hoffman in Papillon (1973)
    Steve McQueen and William Smithers in Papillon (1973)
    Fred J. Koenekamp and Franklin J. Schaffner in Papillon (1973)
    Steve McQueen and Ratna Assan in Papillon (1973)
    Henri Charrière in Papillon (1973)
    Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen in Papillon (1973)
    Steve McQueen and Gregory Sierra in Papillon (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve McQueen
    Steve McQueen
    • Henri 'Papillon' Charriereas Henri 'Papillon' Charriere
    Dustin Hoffman
    Dustin Hoffman
    • Louis Degaas Louis Dega
    Victor Jory
    Victor Jory
    • Indian Chiefas Indian Chief
    Don Gordon
    Don Gordon
    • Julotas Julot
    Anthony Zerbe
    Anthony Zerbe
    • Toussaintas Toussaint
    Robert Deman
    • Maturetteas Maturette
    Woodrow Parfrey
    Woodrow Parfrey
    • Clusiotas Clusiot
    Bill Mumy
    Bill Mumy
    • Lariotas Lariot
    George Coulouris
    George Coulouris
    • Dr. Chatalas Dr. Chatal
    Ratna Assan
    Ratna Assan
    • Zoraimaas Zoraima
    William Smithers
    William Smithers
    • Warden Barrotas Warden Barrot
    Val Avery
    Val Avery
    • Pascalas Pascal
    Gregory Sierra
    Gregory Sierra
    • Antonioas Antonio
    Vic Tayback
    Vic Tayback
    • Sergeantas Sergeant
    • (as Victor Tayback)
    Mills Watson
    Mills Watson
    • Guardas Guard
    Ron Soble
    Ron Soble
    • Santinias Santini
    Barbara Morrison
    Barbara Morrison
    • Mother Superioras Mother Superior
    Don Hanmer
    Don Hanmer
    • Butterfly Traderas Butterfly Trader
    • Director
      • Franklin J. Schaffner
    • Writers
      • Dalton Trumbo(screenplay)
      • Lorenzo Semple Jr.(screenplay)
      • Henri Charrière(book "Papillon")
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    A semi-fictional account of Henri Charrière's time in the penal system in French Guyana - some of it spent on infamous Devil's Island - is presented. It's the early 1930s. Charrière - nicknamed Papillon because of his butterfly tattoo - and Louis Dega are two among many who have been convicted in the French judicial system, they now being transferred to French Guyana where they will serve their time, never to return to France even if they are ever released. A safe-cracker by criminal profession, Papillon is serving a life sentence for murdering a pimp, a crime for which he adamantly states he was framed. Dega is a wealthy counterfeiter, who expects his well-to-do wife eventually to get him released. At Papillon's initiative, the duo enters into a business arrangement: Papillon will provide protection for Dega, who, in turn, will finance Papillon's escape attempt. As the two men spend more time together than either had expected, their burgeoning friendship ends up being an important factor altering their original plans, needed as they work with and against others who are trying to achieve their own goals, sometime conflicting with those of Papillon and Dega. —Huggo/RMS
    homosexual interestprison wardenhopelessnessshot to deathmanhunter241 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Escape is Everything!
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Steve McQueen insisted on performing the stunt where he jumps off a cliff. McQueen once said that it was "one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life".
    • Goofs
      At the end of the film, when Papillon is floating on his bag of coconuts, a scuba diver is clearly visible in the water beneath that bag.
    • Quotes

      Papillon: Hey you bastards, I'm still here.

    • Alternate versions
      Some American prints of this film run 132 minutes, instead of 150.
    • Connections
      Featured in Steve McQueen: The King of Cool (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Ballet Music from Faust
      (uncredited)

      Music by Charles Gounod

    User reviews225

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Enjoyable film upon escapes from an impregnable prison with strong performances
    The movie centers an unrelenting prisoner (extraordinary Steve MacQueen , who one time 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 prohibited for the 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 obtained a big success , it was a box office winner . It attained 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 , 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.
    helpful•21
    8
    • ma-cortes
    • Apr 9, 2005

    FAQ1

    • Is the movie loyal to the original book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1973 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Papillón
    • Filming locations
      • St Laurent du Maroni, Guyane, Départements d'Outre-Mer, France
    • Production companies
      • Les Films Corona
      • General Production Company
      • Solar Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $53,267,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $53,267,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 31min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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