Today’s quick review: Papillon. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, Papillon (Steve McQueen) is shipped to a prison in French Guyana to serve a life sentence. On the way there, he strikes a deal with Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman): he offers his protection in exchange for using Dega’s money to finance an escape attempt. But as the hardships of prison life take their toll on both men, escape becomes a daunting prospect.
Papillon is a prison drama about a pair of men trapped in a French penal colony. Faced with hard labor, brutal treatment by the guards, and constant danger, Papillon and Dega risk years in solitary confinement to find a way to escape. What begins as a bargain struck out of self interest evolves into a genuine friendship, one that gives them the strength to keep going in the face of incredible hardship.
Papillon stands out for the scope of its story. Even though the story is limited to one remote prison and a pair of prisoners, the variety of suffering they endure turns what should be a static premise into a full-blown odyssey. Papillon and Dega try alliances, bribes, and violence to win their freedom, only to meet setback after setback. The movie has a knack for driving home just how much the men have lost and how hard it will be to reclaim it.
The result is an arduous journey for the characters and the audience alike. Papillon has an unusual blend of hardship and tenacity that makes it unlike even other prison dramas. Those willing to wade through the drama will find it to be a rewarding watch, less for its triumphs and more for its quiet moments of friendship and perseverance. Those looking for a lighter drama where the characters come through unscathed will want to look elsewhere.
For an even more moving prison drama, try The Shawshank Redemption. For an adventurous tale of imprisonment and revenge, try The Count of Monte Cristo. For a smaller-scale prison drama with a similar tone, try Cool Hand Luke.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a robust story brought to life by a pair of whole-hearted performances.