Papillon (1973)
True prison escape adventure, based on the autobiography by French convict Henri Charrière, from screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Spartacus) and director Franklin J. Schaffner (Planet of the Apes). Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman are imprisoned at Devil's Island in French Guiana, where solitary confinement and terrible conditions inspire them to plot an escape.
1973Rating: M151 minsFrance, USA
AdventureDramaTrue Story & Biography
- Director:
- Franklin J. Schaffner ('Planet of the Apes', 'Patton')
- Writer:
- Dalton TrumboLorenzo Semple Jr.
- Cast:
- Steve McQueenDustin HoffmanVictor JoryDon GordonAnthony Zerbe
Papillon (1973) / Reviews
Time Out
McQueen's escape bids and subsequent doses of solitary take on the proportions of a masochist's marathon.
Full reviewThe New York Times
A big, brave, stouthearted, sometimes romantic, sometimes silly melodrama with the kind of visual sweep you don't often find in movies anymore.
Full review
Roger Ebert
An expensive, exhaustive, 150-minute odyssey that doesn’t so much conclude as cross the finish line and collapse.
Full review
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