Papillion (1973) Movie Review

Papillion (1973) Review

Prison-break in the middle of the jungle?

Steve McQueen shines in yet another Prison Break. McQueen is incriminated for killing a pimp and even before reaching the island of their isolation, the protagonist already hatches his plan for escape. Dustin Hoffman is omnipresent throughout the movie as a gentle soul with a poignant performance that is difficult to ignore and hard to forget.

The plot is quite complex, it's the acting, the intensity and the entire premise that keeps you involved. It's gripping to the core with little room for boredom loitering. All the scenes are spend either planning, hatching, executing or suffering the consequences of an escape.

Since the premise takes place on an island and they cannot swim to their freedom, hence the need for a boat and that's where lies the catch. It seems almost humorous or dark humor at times and one scene especially when McQueen is in solitary is quite horrific and depicts the actual psychological horrors inside a penitentiary.

Thematically, it explores the concepts of isolation, friendship, honesty, loyalty and mid part of the second half almost gives us a sense of hope and gratitude but all good things come to an end for what is probably one of the most masterful stories of freedom right after Shawshank Redemption.

OUTCOME:

Re- watch-ability: (1.8/2)
Element of Surprise: (2/2)
Enjoyment : (1.8/2)
Plot line : (2/2)
Memorability : (2/2)

OVERALL: : 9.6 out of 10