Search - Papillon on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1973 DVD Release: 12/14/1999 Format: DVD - Letterbox for TV Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 31 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 20 Genres: Drama, Adventure Drama, Escape Film, Biopic [feature], Buddy Film See Also: Papillon

The autobiography of Henri Charriere, one of the few people to successfully escape from the notorious French penal colony of Devil's Island, served as the basis for Papillon. Steve McQueen plays the pugnacious Charriere (known as "Papillon," or "butterfly," because of a prominent tatoo), incarcerated--wrongly, he claims--for murdering a pimp. He saves the life of fellow convict Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), a counterfeiter who will later show his gratitude by helping Charriere in his many escape attempts, and by smuggling food to Charriere when the latter is put in solitary confinement. One breakout, which takes Charriere and Dega to a leper colony and then to a native encampment, is almost successful, but Charriere is betrayed (allegedly because he stopped for an act of kindness) and back the prisoners go to French Guiana. Years later, Dega is made a trustee and is content with his lot, but the ageing, white-haired Charriere cannot be held back. A tribute to the unquenchability of the human spirit, Papillon brought in an impressive $22 million at the box office. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Steve McQueen - Papillon
Dustin Hoffman - Dega
Victor Jory - Indian Chief
Don Gordon - Julot
Anthony Zerbe - Leper Colony Chief

Franklin J. Schaffner's study of one unstoppable human spirit, Papillon comes to DVD with a widescreen 1.85:1 image. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 and it is closed-captioned. English and French subtitles are also accessible. Supplemental materials include a behind-the-scenes documentary and a theatrical trailer. Although the alleged difficulty between the two stars is not mentioned on this disc, the absence of such gossip does not diffuse the power of this film. An excellent disc for McQueen fans. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide