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Papillon
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Papillon

1973
Drama
Crime
2h 31m
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. (imdb)
Directed by:
Franklin J. Schaffner Franklin J. Schaffner
Written by:
Dalton Trumbo Dalton Trumbo Henri Charrière Lorenzo Semple Jr. Lorenzo Semple Jr.
+2 more
Starring:
Dustin Hoffman Dustin Hoffman Gregory Sierra Steve McQueen Steve McQueen Victor Jory Victor Jory Don Gordon Anthony Zerbe Anthony Zerbe Robert Deman Robert Deman George Coulouris George Coulouris Vic Tayback Vic Tayback William Smithers Woodrow Parfrey Woodrow Parfrey Bill Mumy Bill Mumy
More
Genres:
Drama, Crime, Adventure, Biography
Countries:
France, USA
Languages:
English, Spanish
imdb More information at IMDb
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Papillon

1973
Drama
Crime
2h 31m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 70.77% from 2780 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(2780)
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luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 06 Jan 2019
90
97th
The French Guiana penal colony remains a unique setting for a film even forty-five years later. It's quite likely that no one bothered trying making another movie set there since because "Papillon" knocked it out of the park. McQueen and The Hoff are both awesome and even better together. It's a two and a half hour movie and worth every minute.
Rated 06 Jan 2019
ddrudgesd_drudges
Rated 09 Oct 2014
50
56th
The first third, with the introduction of the prison, is great, but after that the movie starts getting steadily worse. The subsequent adventures make a mockery of the actual prison experience. They should have just thrown all the outrageous lies out and started writing fresh with the premise of the book.
Rated 09 Oct 2014
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Mar 2007
80
95th
Brilliant film.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 18 May 2009
70
77th
The relationship between Dega and Papillon was excellent. The final hour, sadly, was disjointed and sapped away what had been meticulously created before this point. I kept thinking it was one of Papillon's dreams or hallucinations and kept waiting for him to wake up.
Rated 18 May 2009
paradigmaParadigma
Rated 05 Oct 2009
80
89th
Second half was way too bad compared to the fabulous first half.
Rated 05 Oct 2009
mspraguemsprague
Rated 18 Aug 2018
85
91st
Good story, still holds up all these years later.
Rated 18 Aug 2018
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 01 Jul 2008
9
90th
A genuine and welcome character study, arguably Schaffner's best film (I'll try to watch Patton as soon as I can). It's always nice to see McQueen (who wasn't really respected by his peers) act on screen, a place where he can prove once again how versatile he is. Together with Hoffman, he creates one of the best prison movies you'll see: simplistic, at times funny and heartfelt in the end.
Rated 01 Jul 2008
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 14 Nov 2009
86
84th
Hoffman is very good, but McQueen is absolutely fantastic and carries the film entirely on his own with a very nuanced and varied character transformation. While the pacing could be a bit quicker, the events are always gripping as the film departs from many standard conventions.
Rated 14 Nov 2009
ewp805ewp805
Rated 20 Feb 2012
87
90th
McQueen and Hoffman are brilliant at the lead, with Steve giving the performance of his career. Really captures the harshness of prison life and the effects of it mentally. Very well shot with some beautiful, exotic scenery. Good film.
Rated 20 Feb 2012
fra_paolofra paolo
Rated 06 Mar 2015
68
77th
What The Shawshank Redemption wished it could have been. With The Sand Pebbles, one of McQueen's finest performances, as the imprisoned man who appears to be broken in spirit in the end, but who never gives up. Schaffner and Goldsmith achieve the right balance of score to soundtrack here.
Rated 06 Mar 2015
pyrosexualpyrosexual
Rated 08 Aug 2014
85
79th
Steve McQueen = Badass. Not one of Hoffman's more covincing roles however (see: John Hurt in Midnight Express.)
Rated 08 Aug 2014
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 15 Nov 2014
80
80th
Good film made great by reasons of nostalgia.
Rated 15 Nov 2014
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 18 Sep 2013
77
49th
A slow, frustrating adventure film which would actually be a lot more appealing with its grim first hour spliced away into the bin. The second half is much more exciting with its chases, stunts and scenery. McQueen and Hoffmann are both competent but it's hardly Butch-and-Sundance level chemistry. Much of it, I could take or leave. The pacing is that of a costume drama while the best scenes are the action scenes; it's hardly a formula that feels cohesive.
Rated 18 Sep 2013
metalhankmetalhank
Rated 21 Aug 2018
84
97th
A very well made film from the early 70s that really gets into the hardships of prison life from this period and location of life. This is no soft and easy jail like nowadays, and the two leads are great in their roles giving an excellent human quality to the film. You really end up rooting for the film's stars. The cinematography and music are top notch for the time. Glad I heard about this recently and gave it a watch.
Rated 21 Aug 2018
rojatumerojatume
Rated 17 Jan 2017
29
0th
Mind-numbingly dull. Watching this movie made me feel like I was in solitary confinement. The worst/most boring film I have ever seen.
Rated 17 Jan 2017
timon88Timon88
Rated 13 Apr 2015
64
57th
Visually, this has not aged well--it looks like a made-for-TV movie. Dustin Hoffman is, by far, the most interesting thing about this flick.
Rated 13 Apr 2015
thegreyfoxthegreyfox
Rated 08 Mar 2015
70
50th
Looking extremely dated in 2015, McQ and H put in excellent performances, but the script, editing and story arc are pretty poor. Any one who has read the book will know what a poor substitute this film is for a book that is simply astonishing. The main problem the film has is to give some life and longevity to 7yrs of solitary confinement, and it really doesnt succeed. The last 30 mins has McQ and H hopping around in comical "old man" gaits that look more like out-takes from Planet of the Apes.
Rated 08 Mar 2015
patmanpatman
Rated 04 Jul 2015
69
62nd
A disheartening and brutal depiction of "Papillon's" incarceration and escape from the penal colony in French Guiana. It starts great and McQueen and Hoffman are two intriguing characters, the movie works very well with action and suspense but unfortunately the movie starts to struggle when it attempts to describe the everlasting suffering in imprisonment.
Rated 04 Jul 2015
thehynesthehynes
Rated 20 Mar 2017
58
56th
great first part to the film with Papillon somehow surviving his ill treatment and plotting escape. Once they actually do escape there's a marked change of tone and the film starts to seriously stumble. We start to build back to a decent ending but it's disappointing how what could have been a very good film just fails to get there
Rated 20 Mar 2017
mandymandy
Rated 16 Sep 2013
7
73rd
Overlong but a great story well told and with superb acting.
Rated 16 Sep 2013
zipsterZipster
Rated 25 Aug 2014
75
30th
I don't care whether he's guilty or innocent, I wouldn't care who he killed. There are very very few people who truly, in an absolute sense, deserve this sort of lifelong treatment. Such is the charm of prison films, survival films: It's not about who they are; it's about us. We want out of there, he's going to struggle to do so, so we watch.
Rated 25 Aug 2014
optimusmikeOptimus_mike
Rated 27 Oct 2008
95
96th
Incredibly epic.
Rated 27 Oct 2008
damildamil
Rated 20 Jan 2012
85
95th
Man, this was really good. I really liked how raw the film was, especially in its portrayal of prison environments. Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman were both brilliant. The dream/fantasy sequences were also very impressive. It was maybe a tad long, but I'd easily recommend this film.
Rated 20 Jan 2012
sumbitchSumbitch
Rated 16 Mar 2012
95
86th
What more can be said? Such an amazing film.
Rated 16 Mar 2012
joojooJooJoo
Rated 29 Oct 2012
5
80th
Mirroring the numerous accolades for Steve McQueen is a given. Not as impeccably developed as it should be, but contains many fine and memorable aspects.
Rated 29 Oct 2012
stuie299stuie299
Rated 27 Oct 2012
75
46th
Well acted in every regard. Great Cinematography and attention to detail. The script however is very lacking. Too many of the scenes had little dialogue and subsequently felt drawn out because of it. This makes what otherwise would have been a great prison escape drama feel a little bit more lackluster. Ultimately it's still a solid film and fans of the genre should be able to get a lot more out.
Rated 27 Oct 2012
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 19 Sep 2009
80
84th
hoffman and mcqueen, prison film - nuff said.
Rated 19 Sep 2009
sebbysebby
Rated 07 May 2011
70
72nd
Interesting character-driven prison drama. McQueen's best "Acting Performance."
Rated 07 May 2011
haydnhaydn
Rated 24 May 2008
86
87th
Great film - watch it! :)
Rated 24 May 2008
kavuKavu
Rated 25 Mar 2010
83
79th
McQueen is brilliant and Hoffman doesn't come far behind. The first half is superb but the second is much more uneven.
Rated 25 Mar 2010
teeceeteecee
Rated 30 Sep 2008
56
86th
En klassisk "vi må ud"-film, med et par gode skuespillere - udemærket
Rated 30 Sep 2008
teddyTeddy
Rated 23 Mar 2009
99
95th
the unbreakable will of man in his quest for justice
Rated 23 Mar 2009
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 20 Apr 2007
65
40th
Slightly overlong but good nonetheless. The first half is the most solid.
Rated 20 Apr 2007
mrhappyMr.Happy
Rated 16 May 2014
65
13th
This film might give you some insight on life, it's a movie that makes you think, but for me I think we live in an age where there's more to do than just live a boring life or fight in a major war. Life as it is can be so full that you're happy with it, with video games etc, meaningful labor and love. As such this story though adventurous seems insignificant to me. Watching this might dissuade from a criminal life, that's the only use I can think of for it. Instead try The Rock or Escape Plan.
Rated 16 May 2014
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 22 Jun 2017
96
90th
A
Rated 22 Jun 2017
stainStain
Rated 20 Jun 2010
80
68th
Evidently we're supposed to take this as a sort of "triumph of the human spirit" story. I don't really buy that, as IMHO a great human spirit would never become a professional safecracker like the title character did. However, McQueen, as him, is his usual unbendable tough loner type who somehow is never without some core of decency, and Hoffman as a counterfeiter always somehow manages to be a likable criminal. A good, solid adventure movie with unique virtues
Rated 20 Jun 2010
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 08 Mar 2010
66
45th
A well-acted but dramatically inert prison-break drama that takes pains to be realistically grimy.
Rated 08 Mar 2010
tonydaltonydal
Rated 24 Jun 2011
80
74th
"Forget France, and put your clothes on." lol Most of this one was great, and McQueen definitely goes through a world of changes, in true tour-de-force style. Unfortunately though the final hour plays like some college film program got ahold of the script, so it becomes arty and often unintelligible. Not even sure what the finale is supposed to indicate. Looks like maybe Trumbo once again let his autobiography take precedence over his work.
Rated 24 Jun 2011
qwershadyqwershady
Rated 05 Nov 2015
81
90th
FREEDOOOOOOOOOM!
Rated 05 Nov 2015
naurunauru
Rated 07 Dec 2010
60
57th
Steve McQueen is excellent in this. But I found the film to be too long and drawn out. Many scenes could have been cut or shortened. Pretty good prison story though.
Rated 07 Dec 2010
rudakerRudaker
Rated 17 May 2021
80
90th
GREAT
Rated 17 May 2021
theescapistTheEscapist
Rated 21 Jun 2013
60
20th
The best thing about this film are the exotic locations. I enjoyed the atmosphere in most of those scenes. Unfortunately this is only a portion of the film. As a whole this film is too long and uninteresting for me, also kind of an unpleasant watch (and not in a good way) Prison life just isn't that interesting. Seems to drag on forever at some points.
Rated 21 Jun 2013
tathieltathiel
Rated 28 Aug 2008
80
67th
Very good though long movie.
Rated 28 Aug 2008
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 25 Nov 2023
60
58th
eng; [papillion]; zwei Männer werden auf eine tödliche gefängnisinsel gebracht und freunden sich an.;
Rated 25 Nov 2023
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
80
84th
While it might not be as grand as Charriere's book, "Papillon" is just a wonderful, involving, and engrossing movie to watch.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
chemical404chemical404
Rated 27 Jun 2011
74
89th
Beautiful locations, good cinematography of grand proportions and great acting make this one of the best prison escape movies ever made. Story gets a bit random in the last hour, and that is about the biggest flaw of the film.
Rated 27 Jun 2011
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 19 Dec 2008
7
68th
Never thought I'd see the day when Steve McQueen out acts Dustin Hoffman. Cool movie but there are def better movies about prison. That said, I still really enjoyed it, but I'm a sucker for prison films to be honest.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
boyd_crowderBoyd Crowder
Rated 30 Jun 2007
81
64th
What a great ending, these scenes were just brilliant. First half is very very good too, makes it to one of the better prison movies, I guess..
Rated 30 Jun 2007
arkadinarkadin
Rated 13 Jun 2011
95
97th
Jerry Goldsmith did an excellent job with his haunting melody and accomplished orchestration.
Rated 13 Jun 2011
tarwebroodtarwebrood
Rated 02 Apr 2010
75
55th
3-4-2010 Great in its time and many years after it came out, nice now.
Rated 02 Apr 2010
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 14 Oct 2012
86
90th
This is a great movie that deals with a different kind of prison and a quest for freedom. Steve McQueen is fantastic in this film. McQueen has a lot of difficult scenes and he makes them all look easy. Dustin Hoffman is also very good here. The plot deals with so much more than your typical prison movie.
Rated 14 Oct 2012
ericamblerericambler
Rated 06 Feb 2016
70
46th
A solidly old-school Hollywood epic in ways both bad (bloated runtime, simplistic plotting) and good (refreshing dialogue-free stretches). Seeing avatar of masculinity Steve McQueen broken down and eating bugs in solitary confinement is worth the price of admission.
Rated 06 Feb 2016
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 12 Nov 2012
50
49th
I don't understand the point of making this story. It is depressing to see a man wrongly convicted. Sent to an insane island prison. Be cheated time and again while trying to escape. And being turned in by those you would least expect. Even though he finally does escape, by then he has spent most of his life in harsh confinement and lost most of his health. The only thing you can really say is that he never gave up. Many points for the acting, but the plot reeks.
Rated 12 Nov 2012
jarmannJarmann
Rated 23 Sep 2012
90
93rd
Splendidly paced combinded with great acting from McQueen.
Rated 23 Sep 2012
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 29 Jun 2008
85
95th
Great
Rated 29 Jun 2008
nunstranglernunstrangler
Rated 30 Aug 2010
71
60th
Boxoffice winner based on the autobiographical writings of French thief Henri Charriere. Excellent portrayal of prison life and fine performances from the prisoners. Certain segments would have been better left on the cutting room floor. The film's title refers to the lead's butterfly tattoo.
Rated 30 Aug 2010
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
97th
One of the best prison movies ever.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
skapskap
Rated 28 Apr 2019
50
19th
Does everything on the check list but remains too dietic to be genuinely enjoyable. Didn't watch the second half, because there are better things to do.
Rated 28 Apr 2019
paula1980paula1980
Rated 07 Apr 2023
32
21st
If you want to get depressed then this is a great movie to watch. In comparison to this Shawshank Redemption was a master piece.
Rated 07 Apr 2023
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 16 May 2008
75
67th
memory says: very good.
Rated 16 May 2008
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 18 Apr 2023
68
35th
This has so much going for it, from the setting to the performances from both McQueen and Hoffman, but it unfortunately overstays its welcome. The pacing is just glacial at times and it turns what could be a brilliant film into a big of a slog. It is 2.5 hours but it feels significantly longer. McQueen is especially impressive here since he doesn't have the reputation Hoffman has as a thespian, but he's absolutely at least matching him here. Frustrating.
Rated 18 Apr 2023
hajikarimihajikarimi
Rated 14 Feb 2012
95
91st
good job!
Rated 14 Feb 2012
bofbof
Rated 30 Apr 2013
71
62nd
Very strong beginning and ending, let down a bit by a middling middle. McQueen can act when he really wants to.
Rated 30 Apr 2013
methad1methad1
Rated 30 Mar 2011
92
97th
An epic of a film in its own solitude way. A must see to get a glimpse at what people have gone through in prison (and I don't mean comfy prisons like ours - these are old school, foreign prisons!). Brilliant acting, brilliant film.
Rated 30 Mar 2011
snicketssnickets
Rated 14 Feb 2012
70
9th
Might have given it a higher rating but the book was *so* much better.
Rated 14 Feb 2012
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 19 May 2021
50
44th
There is a great movie in here somewhere, and glimpses of it can be found. But the whole thing can be such a slog at times. I admire it more than I like it or want to rewatch it.
Rated 19 May 2021

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