Papillon (1973) - Movie Review

Papillon is a 1973 film based on an autobiography by Henri Charriere (Steve McQueen). At the time this film was made, it wasn't yet evident that the film was not Charriere's life story. Instead, researchers suggest, Charriere compiled stories from a variety of other prisoners...serving as a model prisoner himself. Accuracy aside, the movie was lengthy, but enjoyable. This film is another in a long line of films that has been remade in recent years. The remake of Papillon is set to be released in August 2018.

Henri "Papillon" Charriere was convicted (with apparently compelling evidence) of murdering a pimp in Paris in 1931. He was sentenced to prison at the French Penal Colony in Guyana. During his transit by ship to the infamous prison, Papillon befriends a wealthy investor named Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman). Dega made his money bilking investors in a treasury bond scheme. Dega's wealth makes him an easy target for hardened criminals who suspect he has "suitcased" a large sum of money prior to the voyage. Papillon serves as Dega's protector.

In return for saving his life, Dega has agreed to underwrite Papillon's escape plans. A failed escape attempt leads to two years in solitary confinement for the Frenchman. His time in solitary confinement becomes harsher when the Warden discovers that someone has been smuggling coconuts in to the prisoner. As punishment for not revealing the source of the coconuts, Papillon is placed in total darkness and given half rations for six months. At the end of his two year term, Papillon is barely alive. He is met by his friend, Dega, as the men's life remain hopelessly intertwined.

Repeated escape attempts are met with similar results, returning the Butterfly to captivity. When he is finally sent to Devil's Island, a place from which escape is impossible, Papillon undertakes one final escape attempt. With twenty-four miles of shark infested waters between him and freedom, the escape-obsessed prisoner makes one final attempt at freedom on a makeshift raft made of coconuts.

I guess Papillon would have been even better had it been true. It is still compelling, even as a compilation of stories from the lives of other men. It is a bit disappointing that the author was a fraud. However, watching the film, I often wondered about the likelihood of certain events. I wasn't sure if the screenwriters had embellished for effect or if the schemes were part of Charriere's own imagination. It seems that the only embellished scene was of a crocodile. The rest originates in some form within the book. Anyone who watches this film with an ounce of suspicion is bound to come away with serious doubts about Charriere's credibility. It is no wonder that he was eventually challenged on the rather self-aggrandizing plot.

When I think about the reasons to dislike this film, I have to wonder why I enjoyed it so much. At two and a half hours, the film is too long, which is my major complaint. As far as the actual story, the film was brilliant. If you look at it as fiction, you are more likely to enjoy it. One of the main reasons why this film was exceptional was the casting. Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman are great together. McQueen has instant credibility as a tough guy. But his performance was good in subtle ways, as well. His role required a breadth that few actors would be able to handle. Hoffman showed less range, but was still exceptional.

Papillon was originally rated R by the MPAA. On appeal, the rating was changed to PG. How is that possible, I ask? When I consider some of the mild films that get R ratings today, how is this nearly forty year old film PG? While I would certainly allow a younger viewer to watch this film, it is not as tame as PG might suggest. There are brutal fights where throats are cut and eyes are slashed. There is a graphic beheading. Another man is impaled on a pungy stick trap. There is talk about masturbation. Another scene shows a man molesting another man by sticking his hand down the front of the others underwear. There is a "native" scene where Papillon lives with indigenous people who don't wear more than loin cloths. Exposed female breasts are plentiful. All of this makes for a great film, but the PG rating seems a little bit misleading based on other ratings I have seen. A medium gore factor, violence, nudity, adult themes, homosexual assault, murder. Hardly the same content as the animated films that often manage a PG rating.

I enjoyed Papillon. I put the lack of credibility out of my mind and simply sat back to enjoy McQueen and Hoffman doing what they do best. The scenery was interesting and the special effects decent for 1973. The music score added dramatic elements but was a bit too obvious at times. The story was engaging, the characters intriguing and the pacing decent. However, the film ran a bit too long. A few cuts would have made this better for me. 8/10.

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