Marseille, 1936. A city choked with shadows and whispered deals. Henri “Papillon” Charriere, a safecracker with a butterfly tattoo on his chest and fire in his eyes, is wrongly convicted of murder, a frame job orchestrated by enemies he never saw coming. Shipped to the penal colony of French Guiana, a hellish landscape of disease and despair, Papillon refuses to surrender his spirit. On the brutal transport ship, he meets Louis Dega, a wealthy forger, whose money Papillon promises to protect in exchange for help with his escape. Amidst the sweltering heat and the ever-watchful eyes of Warden Barrot and the sadistic guard Julot, Papillon begins to hatch his audacious plan, clinging to the hope of freedom while navigating the treacherous alliances and betrayals of his fellow convicts, including the hardened Toussaint. The jungle whispers promises and threats, and for Papillon, escape is not just a dream; it’s a burning obsession.
Movie Overview
Title | Papillon |
---|---|
Release Date | 1973-12-16 |
Runtime | 151 minutes |
Genre | Crime, Drama |
Movie Cast
Name | Character |
---|---|
Steve McQueen | Henri “Papillon” Charriere |
Dustin Hoffman | Louis Dega |
Victor Jory | Indian Chief |
Don Gordon | Julot |
Anthony Zerbe | Toussaint |
Robert Deman | Maturette |
Woodrow Parfrey | Clusiot |
Bill Mumy | Lariot |
George Coulouris | Dr. Chatal |
Ratna Assan | Zoraima |
William Smithers | Warden Barrot |
Val Avery | Pascal |
Gregory Sierra | Antonio |
Vic Tayback | Sergeant |
Mills Watson | Guard |
Ron Soble | Santini |
Barbara Morrison | Mother Superior |
Don Hanmer | Butterfly Trader |
E.J. André | Old Con |
Richard Angarola | Commandant |
Jack Denbo | Classification Officer |
Len Lesser | Guard |
John Quade | Masked Breton |
Fred Sadoff | Deputy Warden |
Allen Jaffe | Turnkey |
Liam Dunn | Old Trustee |
Anne Byrne Hoffman | Mrs. Dega (uncredited) |
Dalton Trumbo | Commandant (uncredited) |
Richard Farnsworth | Manhunter (uncredited) |
Peter Brocco | Doctor (uncredited) |
Storyline
In the heart of 1930s France, Henri “Papillon” Charriere, a safecracker wrongly convicted of murder, is sentenced to life imprisonment on the notorious penal colony of French Guiana. Determined to regain his freedom, Papillon, played by Steve McQueen, meticulously plans his escape, fueled by an unwavering spirit and the iconic butterfly tattoo on his chest, a symbol of his desire to fly away. He forms an unlikely alliance with Louis Dega, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, a wealthy forger who agrees to finance Papillon’s escape attempts in exchange for protection within the brutal prison environment. Their friendship becomes a lifeline amidst the corruption and violence orchestrated by Warden Barrot and the harsh realities of prison life. Over years of imprisonment, punctuated by daring escape attempts, periods of solitary confinement, and betrayal, Papillon endures unimaginable hardship, always maintaining his rebellious resolve. He encounters both allies, like the sympathetic Toussaint, and enemies, while surviving in desolate outposts and forming temporary bonds with native tribes. Despite setbacks that shatter his body and spirit, including a torturous stint in complete darkness, Papillon’s burning desire for freedom refuses to be extinguished, culminating in one final, desperate leap of faith off a cliff into the shark-infested waters, a gamble representing his ultimate chance at liberty and a defiant rejection of a system designed to break him.
Details
In the heart of French Guiana’s penal colony, the 1973 film *Papillon* unfolds a gripping narrative of survival and the indomitable human spirit. Henri “Papillon” Charriere, portrayed by Steve McQueen, a Parisian safecracker wrongly convicted of murder, begins a life sentence at a brutal prison island. Amidst the squalor and despair, Papillon forms an unlikely alliance with Louis Dega, played by Dustin Hoffman, a wealthy but frail counterfeiter seeking protection. Bound by a shared desire for freedom, they navigate the treacherous landscape of corruption, violence, and inhumane conditions. Papillon’s burning ambition is to escape, fueled by the belief in his innocence. Dega provides financial backing for the escape attempts, while Papillon offers his strength and cunning. Through years of harrowing experiences, including solitary confinement and encounters with ruthless guards like Warden Barrot (William Smithers), their friendship deepens, tested by betrayal and hardship. Robert Deman as Maturette, adds to the tapestry of fellow inmates as they struggle against the cruel penal system. The film delves into themes of resilience, the power of hope, and the lengths one will go to reclaim their life. *Papillon* is an unflinching portrayal of man’s will to endure, even when hope seems lost in the face of unimaginable adversity.
FAQs
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What is Papillon about?
Papillon tells the story of a man who befriends a fellow criminal while serving a sentence on a prison island, leading him to plot his escape.
Who are the main actors in Papillon?
The film stars Steve McQueen as Henri “Papillon” Charriere and Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega.
What genre is Papillon?
Papillon is a crime drama film.
When was Papillon released?
Papillon was released on December 16, 1973.
What is the runtime of Papillon?
The film has a runtime of 151 minutes.
What is the movie’s tagline?
The tagline is “The greatest adventure of escape!”
What is the IMDb ID of Papillon?
The IMDb ID is tt0070511.
What is the vote average for Papillon?
The vote average is 7.8.
What countries produced Papillon?
The movie was produced in the United States of America.
Who directed Papillon?
Franklin J. Schaffner directed Papillon.
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