Review of Papillon (1973) by Gavin S — 04 Jul 2014
I've always been a Steve McQueen fan since I first saw Magnificent Seven as a kid, and through Bullet and the Great Escape. This is one of the first McQueen roles that isn't the usual character he plays, but it is a welcome departure for a change.
Papillon is a thief who's sentenced to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit, and sent to the French penal colony of Devil's Island in French Guyana. Of course, he promptly figures out how to escape, and the film showcases his various attempts to escape, and how utterly harsh the prison life is for him and his friend Dega (a wonderful Dustin Hoffman).
This follows years in the lives of both men, and by the end of the film, Dega has resigned himself to his fate and seems content with the life he's made for himself, whereas Papillon still yearns for escape.
What will the final scene bring? Is everything what it seems? Has the prison broken the men? Or will Papillon fly away? As a side note; this was based on a true story.
This review of Papillon (1973) was written by Gavin S on 04 Jul 2014.
Papillon has generally received very positive reviews.
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