Papillon (1973) - Movie Player

PAPILLON Butterfly

The Greatest Escape Story Ever Told

Based on the incredible true story of Henri Charrière and his multiple attempts to escape from the notorious Devil's Island penal colony.

1973

2h 31min

Biographical Drama

Franklin J. Schaffner

0:00 0:00

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SYNOPSIS

Henri "Papillon" Charrière, a safecracker from the Parisian underworld, is framed for murder and condemned to life in the notorious penal colony on Devil's Island. Determined to regain his freedom, Papillon forms an unlikely partnership with convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega. The two men plan and execute multiple escape attempts in one of history's most daring prison breaks.

"I'm innocent! I didn't kill that pimp! I was framed! I'm innocent, I tell you!" - Henri Charrière

DIRECTOR

Franklin J. Schaffner

SCREENPLAY

Dalton Trumbo & Lorenzo Semple Jr.

BASED ON

The autobiography by Henri Charrière

STARRING

Steve McQueen
as Henri "Papillon" Charrière

Dustin Hoffman
as Louis Dega

Victor Jory
as Indian Chief

Don Gordon
as Julot

Anthony Zerbe
as Toussaint

Robert Deman
as Maturette

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer - Male (Dustin Hoffman)
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Original Score
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama

TRIVIA

The film was shot on location in Spain and Jamaica, standing in for French Guiana.
Steve McQueen performed most of his own stunts, including the famous cliff dive.
Papillon means "butterfly" in French, referring to Charrière's tattoo.
The film was a major box office success, earning over $53 million against a $12 million budget.