User:Stephenfisher2001/sandbox/Papillon

Papillon is a 1973 historical drama prison film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo and Lorenzo Semple Jr. was based on the 1969 autobiography by the French convict Henri Charrière. The film stars Steve McQueen as Charrière ("Papillon") and Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega. Because it was filmed at remote locations, the film was quite expensive for the time ($12 million), but it earned more than twice that in its first year of release.

Plot
Convicted murderer Henri Charriere (Steve McQueen), known as "Papillon" for his butterfly chest tattoo, is transported to French Guiana to serve his sentence in a work camp. Determined to escape, Papillon forms an unlikely relationship with the frail but notorious forger Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), who reluctantly joins in the attempt. Despite the harshness of solitary confinement, brutal conditions and constant threats of betrayal, Papillon leads a desperate escape off the island.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) While the film may not be 100% faithful to the source material of the 1969 novel, it still stays spirited to the novel.
 * 2) Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman gave great performances as Henri Charrière aka Papillon, and Louis Dega.
 * 3) Fantasic soundtrack that was performed by Jerry Goldsmith.

Critical response
The film was well-received by critics, and audiences alike, and it holds a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 28 reviews. On IMDB, it has an 8/10 rating.

Box Office
The film was a hit and grossed $3,126,574 in its opening week. It earned theatrical rentals in the United States and Canada of $21.3 million.