This is a stark and genuine portrayal of Henri "Papillon" Charrière’s experiences at Devil’s Island. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (of *Planet Of The Apes* and *Patton*), *Papillon* is based on the autobiography of notorious French convict Henri “Papillon” Charrière, with a screenplay written by Dalton Trumbo & Lorenzo Semple Jr.. Steve McQueen portrays Papillon, while Dustin Hoffman plays Louis Dega. Filming took place primarily in Jamaica and Spain, with Fred J. Koenekamp handling cinematography, and Jerry Goldsmith composing the music. Henri "Papillon" Charrière was a criminal who found himself sent to the infamous and seemingly inescapable prison fortress of Devil’s Island for a murder he didn't commit. The film, like the book it is based on, presents a fictionalized account of Charrière’s time in the penal colony. It can probably be best described as a compelling drama centered around friendship under pressure, resilience and resourcefulness, all interwoven with an adventurous spirit. Schaffner directs with considerable skill; despite minimal dialogue, he effectively creates a stifling atmosphere that conveys the oppressive nature of life within the prison walls. This is essential for allowing the audience to feel trapped alongside the inmates. It’s a raw depiction of hard time, avoiding any softening Hollywood touches and focusing on getting the feeling just right—something Don Siegel also achieved in 1979 with *Escape From Alcatraz*. Schaffner accomplishes this largely thanks to outstanding performances from McQueen and Hoffman. McQueen is perfectly suited for the role of Papillon. He was an actor whose ability to dominate scenes without relying on exaggerated acting was often overlooked; *Papillon* helps to correct the misconception that his appeal was solely based on image rather than genuine talent. His scenes in solitary confinement are remarkable, conveying volumes with almost no dialogue. As Papillon fights against starvation, madness and illness, McQueen’s powerful presence draws us into that small cell alongside him. It's incredible! Once again, however, the Academy failed to recognize McQueen's excellent work; the film only received one Oscar nomination for Goldsmith’s distinctive tropical score. Hoffman’s contribution was expected given his usual thorough preparation (he spent weeks researching penal colony life), and he is ideal as Papillon’s counterpart, their relationship being both gentle and genuine. Anthony Zerbe also delivers strong support as a compassionate leader of a leper colony, and Victor Jory portrays an Indian Chief. The film's production was costly; the initial budget of $4 million grew to $14 million, making it the most expensive movie of 1973. Several scripts were discarded (resulting in financial losses) before Schaffner brought in Trumbo to write the screenplay. This proved to be a smart move, as Trumbo developed the character relationships that were lacking in the original novel. Hoffman insisted on playing Dega only if the film avoided a simplistic buddy movie and instead gave Dega intelligence and integrity—a request he received, which is a testament to Trumbo’s writing. Trumbo was rewarded with a substantial paycheck and even a small role as the colony commandant early in the film. Initial reviews of the film were negative, but audiences disagreed, filling theaters and contributing to a worldwide gross of almost $50 million. This made it Allied Artists' most successful film ever. Since then, it has gained a large following and received more favorable assessments from newer critics. The earlier criticisms about its somber tone and length simply don’t hold up when considering the story’s themes and essence—it is undeniably rooted in fact. 8/10

Source on TMDB