Papillon (DVD)

...try to murder Louis, but Papillon steps in and saves him leading the two to become close friends. It is this friendship which earns Papillon the first of many extended stints in solitary confinement, as he attacks a guard who is picking on Louis and tries to make an escape attempt. Most of the movie then revolves around a battle of wills between Papillon and the commander of solitary confinement as he makes frequent escape attempts and gets returned ...
...neither will back down before Papillon is finally returned to the prison population. Here he is greeted once again by Louis who has been living a relatively cushy life thanks to being able to bribe every member of the prison with his fortune. He tries to convince Papillon to serve the rest of his time and wait for parole but he of course refuses and eventually both get involved in a final escape attempt... Both McQueen and Hoffman are absolutely ...

wampyrii 15.07.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Papillon (DVD)

...selling book of Henri Charriere Papillon (Henri's nickname meaning butterfly) is not only one of the greatest escape stories ever but also a tale of a man who refused to give in. Wrongly convicted of murdering a pimp the film opens with Papi walking thorough the streets of France with the other convicts. The crowd gathered around them is a mixture of people spitting in disgust at them and other baring Christian symbols and praying for their soles. ...
...The following day Dega approaches Papillon saying that he knows he is danger and that he requires protection, Papi agrees for some of the money that Dega is carrying to help him escape. Arriving at the prison we see some of the futile attempts of some convicts to escape which ends in them being shot and we discover that it's desperation as 40% of the people send to this prison die. All gathered in a courtyard the prison governor lays the hash rules ...

Paid.Ark.Man 02.08.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Papillon (DVD)

...amongst the prisoners is rife. Papillon offers protection to master forger Louis Dega in return for Dega financing his escape attempt when they reach their destination. Life in the prison is fanatically harsh with severe penalties for escape attempts and very little in the way of priveledges and comforts. Despite this Papillon attempts escape but is sold out, recaptured, and must endure two years silent solitary confinement. Emerging a seemingly ...
...brilliance was needed and although Papillon boasts a very limited well known cast, it doesn't really get hampered by it. McQueen and Hoffman are the stars and they show what class acts they are. The portrayal of Papillon is brilliantly handled by McQueen and this is arguably his finest perfomance. His scenes of solitary confinement are harrowing because of the realisticness of the production and the intimate camerawork but McQueen's performance is ...

TheNeil 22.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Papillon (DVD)

...subsequent book by Henri Charriere, Papillon (French for butterfly and Charriere's nickname) tells the tale of a petty criminal wrongly convicted of murder in France and subsequently sentenced to a long term in the notorious penal colony. Papillon joins forces with Dega, played exceptionally well by the ever amazing Dustin Hoffman serving time for a national bonds scam and looks out of place in a very unforgiving environment. As stated before McQueen ...
...(1966) Time and again Papillon tries to escape knowing that capture will lead to solitary confinement and many more years in jail unjustly, and time and again Papillon is captured and retuned either by the evil bounty hunters or intriguingly a nun. The passion running through McQueen lets you feel the raw emotions he is going through, and no matter what he endures he never gives up the hope of one day escaping "I'm still here you Bastards" a line ...

jsrennie 18.01.2005 (27.10.2005) · Read full review
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Review of Papillon (DVD)

Wrongly convicted Henri Carriere (Papillon, a bland performance from Steve McQueen) tries to escape from the evil prison environment of Devil's Island with the able assistance of fellow convict, Dustin Hoffman. The big problem with this film is with director, Franklin J. Schaffner's choice of lead: McQueen looks too relatively sedate & out of place for a tough story like this. Perhaps he still thinks he's the Cooler King from the more entertaining ...
...extreme prison punishments & unsavoury environments McQueen just doesn't fit the bill. I was, however, more interested in Hoffman's character as a crooked financier who sold a lot of investors into poverty and is now a Public Enemy to a lot of people. And only a bodily-inserted capsule full of money manages to keep him alive as he bargains with McQueen to protect him as his bodyguard. The great thing about Hoffman is that he can play all kinds ...

dreamstar70 26.01.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Papillon (DVD)

...premise of the film surrounds Papillon (Steve McQueen) and his imprisonment on the infamous Devil's Island. He makes friends with Dega (Dustin Hoffman) as he ceaselessly plots means of escape. Despite several failed escape attempts, Papillon refuses to have his spirit broken by his ruthless and humiliating captors. If you are after a film with sparkling dialogue, you will want to give this a miss as there are long periods where not a word is spoken. ...
...than make up for it. Usually after reading a book, the film adaptation is extremely disappointing, but thankfully in this case, the film more than lives up to its billing. Overall, I really enjoyed this film and would heartily recommend it as, despite it's length, the time will fly by as you are brilliantly drawn into the struggles and yearning for freedom of Papillon. ...

kipper54 04.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Papillon (DVD)

Papillon is an absolutely brilliant film. Its two stars, Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, give what may be the best performances of their lives in this film about an island prison with a violent regime. McQueen is the Papillon of the title, so called because of the butterfly tattoo he has. He is the rebel, unwilling to compromise or toe the line and consequently forced to face the wrath of the prison guards - all manner of solitary confinement ...
...escape drives McQueen mad and he spends so long in solitary that he comes out a very aged and crippled man, asking "How do I look?" in the same way that an old nutter did of him when he first arrived - a marvellous touch. Hoffman plays the con who works within the system and is still looking relatively okay by the end of the film. This film had a profound effect on me, it is deeply moving and admirable and should be seen by everybody. Catch it ...

dave27 11.01.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Papillon (DVD)

Papillon is a film that will leave a lasting impression , both Steve Mc Queen and Dustin Hoffman put in excellent and compelling performances , basically the film is about the French penal colony of Devils Island ,(not the place to go for your holidays ) Steve Mc Queen and Dustin Hoffman are both sent there to serve long sentences , in some ways it is about how two different personalities bond and survive the most vile conditions , how the human ...
...is not a film that will leave you feeling happy , more annoyed at the cruelty and betrayal suffered .And at the waste of life endured .But at the end of the day , this is a classic film , that anyone interested in cinemas development should strive to see . but I certainly would not want to spoil anything by telling you about how it all ends. . Available on video and D.V.D. to buy for around £5 - often shown on t.v. ...

welshgold 15.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Papillon (DVD)

my friend recommended this film to me and at first i didnt think that i would like it because after reading the back of the dvd box it just didnt seem like the kind of film i like but after i watched the film i proved myself very wrong .papillon is a really excellent film about too men who are in prison and they make friends and try to escape but they endup getting caught. everytime they escape they end up back in the same place as each other .its ...

kimj1911 06.11.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: not helpful
Review of Papillon (DVD)