Henri Charriere, who wrote the book PAPILLON (1973), upon which the film is based, wasn't around to witness its debut; it’s said the story was his own life, but questions about how accurate that account really is have existed since the novel came out in 1969. The movie itself expands on those events, making you consider whether this exciting story is more imagined than real. Nevertheless, there's no doubt about the accomplishments of a director who deserves more recognition, Jerry Goldsmith’s powerful musical score, Fred Koenekamp’s excellent visuals, and the terrific acting from Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, and an impressive group of supporting players—some of the finest character actors of that time.

Source on TMDB