Papillon (1973) – A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner (Planet of the Apes, The Boys from Brazil, Papillon)
Writer: Dalton Trumbo, Lorenzo Semple Jr. (based on the book Papillon by Henri Charrière)
Release Date: December 19, 1973
Domestic Box Office: $58.7 million
Top 5 Cast:
- Steve McQueen as Henri “Papillon” Charriere
- Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega
- Victor Jory as Toussaint
- William Redfield as the prison doctor
- Anthony Zerbe as the warden
“I never lose hope.” – Papillon
Reviews:
- “A powerful and moving film that is both a prison drama and a survival story.” – The New York Times
- “A classic of the prison genre that is sure to be enjoyed by fans of The Shawshank Redemption and Cool Hand Luke.” – The Washington Post
- “A must-see for fans of Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.” – Entertainment Weekly
- “A timeless film that continues to be relevant today.” – Rolling Stone
The film’s realistic depiction of prison life was groundbreaking for its time, and it helped to raise awareness of the challenges faced by prisoners. Papillon also explored the themes of hope, friendship, and redemption in a way that resonated with audiences. The film’s powerful performances, realistic depiction of prison life, and inspiring story of hope and survival have made it a classic prison drama.
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