Papillon
The greatest escape adventure ever told
Overview
Henri “Papillon” Charrière, a safecracker from the Parisian underworld, is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penal colony of French Guiana, where he forges a strong friendship with Louis Dega, a counterfeiter who needs his protection.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Papillon (2017) is a remake of the 1973 film, set against the backdrop of French Guiana's penal colonies during the mid-20th century. This period of history is significant as it highlights the brutal and inhumane treatment meted out to prisoners.
- The powerhouse performances by Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek make the movie a compelling watch.
- The intricate plot, based on Henri Charrière's autobiographical novel, offers suspense and emotional depth.
- Exploration of themes like resilience, hope, and survival in the face of adversity adds layers to the narrative.
Fun Facts
- In both the 1973 and 2017 versions, Steve McQueen played the role of Louis Dega, while Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek took on the title role of Papillon in their respective adaptations.
- The movie was filmed in Columbia, which stood in for French Guiana due to unavailability of shooting locations in the original setting.
- Henri Charrière's autobiography 'Papillon' served as the basis for both films, but they differ significantly in certain details and perspectives.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"The greatest escape adventure ever told"
Español
ES
Title:
""
Pусский
RU
Title: Мотылёк
"Величайшая реальная история о побеге"
Dansk
DK
Title:
""
Deutsch
DE
Title:
"Das größte Fluchtabenteuer, das jemals erzählt wurde"
Italiano
IT
Title:
"Nessuno era mai evaso. Fino ad ora."
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
Competent is the word of the day here. The acting's not great but it's **competent**. The style isn't blowing my mind but it's shot **competently**.
_Papillon_ is the sort of movie that will have its lead hit near-anorexia to express the level of torture his character has suffered, but can't have him grow a beard past sexy manicured stubble despite being isolated in a cell with nothing for two whole years. It commits hard to half-measures. A very unusual paradox that leads to a movie that's very, **very** okay.
_Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
MUSIC (Original Dramatic Score) - 1973
Jerry Goldsmith