Papillon (1973)

8/30/07

(France, Atlantic Ocean, Gyuana, Honduras, Devil’s Island; 1930's +)

Based on the true story of Henri Charriere, a Frenchmen falsely convicted of the death of a pimp and sentenced to that nations notorious South American prisons, this is a dang fine movie. There are elements of other films here, such as The Life of Emile Zoie, but doubtless comparisons can be made to McQueens other ‘Great Escape’ movie, The Great Escape. That movie was more about a cunning bravado and daring do, while Papillon has that, its in a more mature and reflective form. The mediation on friendship between McQueen and Hoffman is beautiful and subtle, but human will, endurance and what it takes to be a man are also on display as thematic subtexts, and handled as masterfully as perhaps they ever could be in something of an adventure format (thank you Dalton Trumbo). Anyway this film is simply worth your time.