Review of Papillon (1973) by Tim F — 18 Apr 2011
"Hey you bastards! I'm still here!" Steve McQueen was never better than in this epic prison escape picture, which is another gem in FJ Schaffner's oeurve, and yet it seems almost forgotten and did not get much award recognition in its time.
If ever McQueen deserved an Oscar it was for his intense work on this most brutal of films. To this day, the graphic violence, blood, sweat, filth and grime is barely matched or as realistic. They say that McQueen died at 50 from cancer caused by asbestos exposure, but I think this picture probably took an extra decade off of his life, it's that convincing.
Dustin Hoffman is great as well. Not for the faint-hearted or queasy.
This review of Papillon (1973) was written by Tim F on 18 Apr 2011.
Papillon has generally received very positive reviews.
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