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Papillon

  • 1973
  • R
  • 2h 31m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
134K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,788
324
Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen in Papillon (1973)
Watch Theatrical Trailer
Play trailer4:09
1 Video
99+ Photos
BiographyCrimeDrama

A French convict in the 1930s befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence in the South American penal colony on Devil's Island, which inspires the man to plot... Read allA French convict in the 1930s befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence in the South American penal colony on Devil's Island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.A French convict in the 1930s befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence in the South American penal colony on Devil's Island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.

  • Director
    • Franklin J. Schaffner
  • Writers
    • Dalton Trumbo
    • Lorenzo Semple Jr.
    • Henri Charrière
  • Stars
    • Steve McQueen
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Victor Jory
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    134K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,788
    324
    • Director
      • Franklin J. Schaffner
    • Writers
      • Dalton Trumbo
      • Lorenzo Semple Jr.
      • Henri Charrière
    • Stars
      • Steve McQueen
      • Dustin Hoffman
      • Victor Jory
    • 248User reviews
    • 79Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 4:09
    Watch Theatrical Trailer

    Photos194

    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 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' Charriere
    Dustin Hoffman
    Dustin Hoffman
    • Louis Dega
    Victor Jory
    Victor Jory
    • Indian Chief
    Don Gordon
    Don Gordon
    • Julot
    Anthony Zerbe
    Anthony Zerbe
    • Toussaint
    Robert Deman
    • Maturette
    Woodrow Parfrey
    Woodrow Parfrey
    • Clusiot
    Bill Mumy
    Bill Mumy
    • Lariot
    George Coulouris
    George Coulouris
    • Dr. Chatal
    Ratna Assan
    Ratna Assan
    • Zoraima
    William Smithers
    William Smithers
    • Warden Barrot
    Val Avery
    Val Avery
    • Pascal
    Gregory Sierra
    Gregory Sierra
    • Antonio
    Vic Tayback
    Vic Tayback
    • Sergeant
    • (as Victor Tayback)
    Mills Watson
    Mills Watson
    • Guard
    Ron Soble
    Ron Soble
    • Santini
    Barbara Morrison
    Barbara Morrison
    • Mother Superior
    Don Hanmer
    Don Hanmer
    • Butterfly Trader
    • Director
      • Franklin J. Schaffner
    • Writers
      • Dalton Trumbo
      • Lorenzo Semple Jr.
      • Henri Charrière
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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 The Ultimate Stuntman: A Tribute to Dar Robinson (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Ballet Music from Faust
      (uncredited)

      Music by Charles Gounod

    User reviews248

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Enjoyable film upon escapes from an impregnable prison with strong performances
    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.
    helpful•19
    9
    • ma-cortes
    • Apr 9, 2005

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    FAQ1

    • Is the movie loyal to the original book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1973 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Người Tù Khổ Sai
    • Filming locations
      • St Laurent du Maroni, Guyane, Départements d'Outre-Mer, France(Camp de la Transportation, closing sequence)
    • Production companies
      • Les Films Corona
      • General Production Company
      • Solar Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • 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
      2 hours 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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