Papillon (1973): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Papillon is a 1973 biographical drama directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman and Don Gordon. It is based on Papillon by Henri Charrière and Patrick O'Brian. It runs 2 hours 31 minutes and earned $53.3 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 31m (151 min)
- Director
- Franklin J. Schaffner
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Allied Artists Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Papillon About?
The premise of Papillon without spoilers, adapted from Papillon by Henri Charrière and Patrick O'Brian. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Henri Charriere, nicknamed "Papillon," and Louis Dega forge an unexpected friendship while incarcerated in French Guiana’s harsh penal colony. Driven by an unwavering desire for liberation, Papillon inspires Dega to join him in a risky escape plan. Their journey is fraught with danger, including brutal treatment, the challenges of survival in a remote and unforgiving landscape, and the ever-present possibility of discovery and recapture as they fight for their freedom.
Papillon Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- escape attempt
- counterfeiter
- colonist
- prisoner transport ship
- sweating
- devil's island french guiana
- escape plan
- death sentence
- dirty face
- man hunter
- bribe
- sweaty cloth
+38 more Show fewer
- devil's island
- tropics
- ocean crossing
- filth
- self inflicted wound
- protector
- jumping into water
- hard labor
- forced labor
- butterfly net
- exile
- banishment
- french colony
- corrupt prison officials
- island prison
- brutality
- deportation
- leprosy
- bounty hunter
- execution
- native
- public nudity
- centipede
- eating an insect
- prison warden
- hopelessness
- shot to death
- manhunter
- manhunt
- hunter
- hunt
- escaped prisoner
- exemplary punishment
- firearm
- nickname as title
- falling down a ramp
- sleeping in a hammock
- bolt action rifle
Papillon Cast
Steve McQueen leads the cast, with Dustin Hoffman and Don Gordon. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Franklin J. Schaffner
Also Starring in Papillon
· 6 moreMore from Franklin J. Schaffner
More films directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, best-rated first: Patton, Nicholas and Alexandra, The Boys from Brazil and Welcome Home.
Papillon Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Papillon 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.
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IMDb 8.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 73% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 90%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 58 Metascore
User score 7.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 78% User score
See on TMDB
Papillon Plot Summary
What happens in Papillon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Henri Charrière, known affectionately as “Papillon”, represented by Steve McQueen, is a skilled safe-cracker in 1933 France, branded with a butterfly tattoo on his chest. Wrongfully accused of a murder he did not commit, he finds himself sentenced to life imprisonment in the brutal penal system of French Guiana in South America. During his harrowing journey, he crosses paths with Louis Dega, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, a notorious forger and embezzler who believes that his wife will orchestrate his escape. Despite initial reluctance, Papillon offers to protect Dega in exchange for financial backing for their escape plan, especially after a frightening incident on the transport ship shakes Dega’s confidence.
Full summary
The whole story of Papillon, scene by scene
Papillon Box Office
Papillon grossed $53.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$53.3M
- US & Canada
- $53.3M
Papillon Awards & Nominations
Papillon was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.
2 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Golden Globes 1974 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Steve McQueen
-
Oscars 1974 1 nomination- Nominated Music (Original Dramatic Score)
Papillon Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Papillon (1973) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
How Well Do You Know Papillon?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year is Henri Charriere, also known as Papillon, wrongfully accused of murder?
Cars in Papillon
13 cars on screen, including the Delage unknown and the unknown.
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Delage unknown Important role -
unknown Minor role -
1929 Reo Flying Cloud Mate Minor role -
1937 Chevrolet Master Background role
Papillon Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “恶魔岛” and “빠삐용”.
- Also known as
-
- 恶魔岛
- 빠삐용
- Пеперудата
- 巴比龍
- Kelebek
- 巴比龙
- Motýlek
- Мотылёк
- Ο Πεταλούδας
- Pillangó
- Motylek
- הפרפר
+7 more Show fewer
- Metulj
- Метелик
- Papillón
- パピヨン
- Leptir, ფარვანა
- پاپیون
- Motýlik
Seen Papillon?
Movies Like Papillon
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Papillon, The Phantom of Paris and Papa à la chasse aux lagopèdes.
Papillon FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Papillon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Papillon?
Papillon runs 2 hours 31 minutes (151 minutes).
When was Papillon released?
Papillon was released on December 16, 1973.
Who directed Papillon?
Papillon was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.
More films by Franklin J. Schaffner Who is in the cast of Papillon?
Papillon stars Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman and Don Gordon, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Papillon make at the box office?
Papillon grossed $53.3 million worldwide.
How is Papillon rated?
Papillon has 8.0/10 on IMDb, 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.
Is Papillon based on a book?
Yes. Papillon is adapted from Papillon by Henri Charrière and Patrick O'Brian.
Was Papillon nominated for any awards?
Papillon received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
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