An epic adaptation of Henri Charrière’s autobiographical novel, with Steve McQueen starring as the author and Dustin Hoffman playing his friend and companion.
It’s compelling and fairly downbeat, although it possibly suffers from trying to squeeze a huge book into 150 minutes of screen time. So much happens. Papillon's time in a prison in French Guiana includes two brutal spells in solitary confinement. The first is of two years, and we are shown in detail how devastating that experience is for him. The second spell lasts for five years, and this is not shown at all – a brilliant decision that serves to underscore the unimaginable horror of battling starvation and madness for so long a time. We also see his various incredible escape experiences, which involve lepers, nuns, island tribespeople and a raft made of coconuts.
Given his rivalry with Paul Newman, it’s tempting to see this as McQueen’s attempt to “do a Cool Hand Luke” – a Cooler Hand Luke, perhaps? – and it’s certainly a role with depth to it. The extremes of suffering he is expected to depict make for more of a soul-searching performance than usual. As usual, though, he hardly has any dialogue. It’s rare that you ever see a McQueen character deep in conversation.
Distinctive and memorable, it’s an odd film that stays with you.
It’s compelling and fairly downbeat, although it possibly suffers from trying to squeeze a huge book into 150 minutes of screen time. So much happens. Papillon's time in a prison in French Guiana includes two brutal spells in solitary confinement. The first is of two years, and we are shown in detail how devastating that experience is for him. The second spell lasts for five years, and this is not shown at all – a brilliant decision that serves to underscore the unimaginable horror of battling starvation and madness for so long a time. We also see his various incredible escape experiences, which involve lepers, nuns, island tribespeople and a raft made of coconuts.
Given his rivalry with Paul Newman, it’s tempting to see this as McQueen’s attempt to “do a Cool Hand Luke” – a Cooler Hand Luke, perhaps? – and it’s certainly a role with depth to it. The extremes of suffering he is expected to depict make for more of a soul-searching performance than usual. As usual, though, he hardly has any dialogue. It’s rare that you ever see a McQueen character deep in conversation.
Distinctive and memorable, it’s an odd film that stays with you.
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