Papillon (film)
Papillon is a 1973 historical adventure drama prison film directed by Franklin J.
Papillon is a 1973 prison film based on Henri Charrière's autobiography. The story follows his attempts to escape from a French Guiana penal colony.
What it is
Papillon is a historical adventure drama directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. It stars Steve McQueen as Henri Charrière and Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega. The title refers to Charrière's butterfly nickname and tattoo.
Why it matters
The film was a notable commercial success in 1973 and remains a key example of the prison-escape genre. It is based on a controversial autobiography whose accuracy has been debated, adding to its cultural significance.
Key details
The screenplay was adapted by Dalton Trumbo and Lorenzo Semple Jr. The film was released in English and is part of the 1970s international cinema canon, familiar to Canadian audiences through TV broadcasts and home media.
In short
- Based on Henri Charrière’s 1969 autobiography
- Steve McQueen plays the title character
- Story follows escape attempts from a French Guiana penal colony
- Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner
Papillon has been widely distributed and discussed in Canada as part of the international canon of 1970s English-language cinema, and it is familiar to Canadian viewers through television broadcasts, repertory screenings, and home media.
Quick questions
What is Papillon?
Who directed Papillon?
What is Papillon based on?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papillon_(1973_film)Supports: Director, cast, year, genre, and basis on Henri Charrière’s book.
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070511/Supports: Release year and plot synopsis for the 1973 film.
- Knoji — https://www.knoji.com/article/steve-mcqueen-in-papillon-1973-movie-trivia-fun-facts/Supports: Book basis, Charrière background, and box office note.