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Papillon

Play trailer Poster for Papillon PG Released Dec 16, 1973 2h 30m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Convicted murderer Henri Charriere (Steve McQueen), known as "Papillon" for his butterfly chest tattoo, is transported to French Guiana to serve his sentence in a work camp. Determined to escape, Papillon forms an unlikely relationship with the frail but notorious forger Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), who reluctantly joins in the attempt. Despite the harshness of solitary confinement, brutal conditions and constant threats of betrayal, Papillon leads a desperate escape off the island.
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Papillon

Critics Reviews

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Paul D. Zimmerman Newsweek It is a tournament of brutality unrelieved by imagination. Feb 10, 2022 Full Review Judith Crist New York Magazine/Vulture It drags on for two-and-a-half hours... to show us that the talents of even Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen can be buried under endless restatement of the obvious and that the best of adventure stories can be attenuated into boredom. Jun 29, 2020 Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) The narrative is epic and life-spanning...The locations are stunning...and the surreal touches...add to the sense of a highly original art-movie spectacular. Rated: 4/5 Sep 14, 2018 Full Review George Anderson Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steve McQueen gives his most ambitious performance and Dustin Hoffman is fine as always. Sep 24, 2024 Full Review Russell Davies Observer (UK) [Papillon] offers the audience-ensuring presence of Steve McQueen in the title role. His Bullitt-head is unlikely to keep them swooning for two-and-a-half hours, however. Not these two-and-a-half hours, anyway. Sep 27, 2023 Full Review Michael Billington Birmingham Post I must say it left me depressed. The reason is, I think, the film's masochistic delight in pain, degradation and humiliation. Sep 27, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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john h One of those long two-and-a-half-hour great films that are great because of their time, providing much accumulation for character emphasis, rich storytelling and making the audience feel drowned and "in" the movie. Papillon is filled with shocking surprises and mouth-covering, thrilling prison scenes that capture the attention of viewers during the brilliant performances by Hoffman and McQueen that represent the insanity that follows one after prison. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/04/25 Full Review Sean D Never see this film mentioned in any lists of greatest films. But it's definitely one of my favourites. Was actually recommended by my mum to me when I was a teenager and I've loved it ever since. Awesome cast with Steve Mcqueen and Dustin Hoffman. 1 billion star rating in my opinion Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/27/25 Full Review Daniel C. M Despite the pacing being inconsistent and taking quite a toll here and there, Papillon still remains a deep, inspiring and emotional prison drama mixed with adventure, with immaculate acting by it's stars and a great soundtrack. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/03/25 Full Review David H This is an excellent film and in my opinion one of the better ones from the 1970s which apart from the Godfather series featured some very mediocre films such as the award winning Rocky. I find today's reviewers to be narrow, pinched by a cynicism that is not a substitute for insight or sophistication. I seldom given their opinions any serious attention as did reviewers from the past. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review Leprechaun K A classic. Wonderful performances by McQueen and Hoffman. Goodbye scene at the end always gets me. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Shaun R Very good. Captures the pain, struggles, filth and mental devastation better than most films. A film that doesn’t get the recognition nowadays. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Papillon

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Cast & Crew

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Franklin J. Schaffner

Director

Steve McQueen

Henri "Papillon" Charriere

Dustin Hoffman

Louis Dega

Victor Jory

Indian chief

Don Gordon

Julot

Anthony Zerbe

Toussaint Leper Colony chief

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Papillon

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Movie Info

Synopsis Convicted murderer Henri Charriere (Steve McQueen), known as "Papillon" for his butterfly chest tattoo, is transported to French Guiana to serve his sentence in a work camp. Determined to escape, Papillon forms an unlikely relationship with the frail but notorious forger Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), who reluctantly joins in the attempt. Despite the harshness of solitary confinement, brutal conditions and constant threats of betrayal, Papillon leads a desperate escape off the island.
Director
Franklin J. Schaffner
Producer
Robert Dorfmann, Franklin J. Schaffner
Screenwriter
Henri Charrière, Dalton Trumbo, Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Distributor
Columbia Tristar, CBS/Fox
Production Co
Solar Productions, Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 16, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 1, 2011
Runtime
2h 30m
Sound Mix
Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
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