Papillon
This semi-fictional story of Henri Charriere’s imprisonment in French Guyana’s penal system – including some time on the notorious Devil’s Island — is presented. It is the 1930s. Charriere – also known as Papillon due to his butterfly tattoo – and Louis Dega were two of many French convicted. They are now being transferred from France to French Guyana, where they will spend their time. Papillon, a safe-cracker in criminal profession, is currently serving a life sentence to murder a pimp. He insists that he was framed for the crime. Dega, a rich counterfeiter who hopes his wife will eventually free him. At Papillon’s request, they enter into a business agreement: Papillon will protect Dega and, in return, will fund Papillon’s escape plan. Their friendship grows as the men spend more time together that they had anticipated. This is a crucial factor in their altering original plans. They work alongside and against other people who want to reach their goals. Sometimes, these may conflict with Dega and Papillon’s. –Huggo/RMS
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
Actors: Anthony Zerbe, Don Gordon, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Deman, Steve McQueen, Victor Jory, Woodrow Parfrey
Country: France, United States
