Starring: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman
Rating: 7.5/10
This film was about how a man called Henri “Papillon” Charriere (so nicknamed because of his butterfly tattoo) was convicted of murder and sent to prison in French Guiana. Here he befriended a rich prisoner called Dega, who, though convinced that his wife would manage to buy him out of prison and thus feeling no need to escape himself, agreed to help Papillon escape. Papillon did manage to escape, only to be caught and sent into solitary confinement for the next two years. He escapes again, is caught again, and this time serves five years in solitary confinement. After serving this second sentence, he is transported to Devil’s Island, where Dega was also sent many years prior. After their reunion, Dega reveals that his wife actually married his attorney and so he has no way of escaping; however, Papillon says that he is determined to flee Devil’s Island and wishes to bring Dega with him. Will either be able to escape the deadly island?
I did quite like this film. There were a few parts that were a little dull, but on the whole I did like it. The acting, as can only be expected from Hoffman and McQueen, was impeccable, as was the screenwriting as cheesiness just wasn’t a thing in those days!
