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From Amazon.co.uk
Franklin J Schaffner's Papillon is quite possibly the definitive prison escape drama. Not as thrilling as The Great Escape, nor as emotionally cathartic as The Shawshank Redemption, its unflinching emphasis on the barbarism of "civilised" societies is nevertheless unparalleled. Significantly, the only characters to display any real kindness in this film are the social outcasts: the lepers and native Indians; everyone else has been corrupted and debased by the true villain, the penal system itself. Based on Henri Charrière' s heavily fictionalised "autobiography", the film's timeless themes of man's insatiable desire for freedom and the indomitability of the human spirit are thankfully not dependent for their impact on the source material's veracity. Dalton Trumbo's liberal-minded screenplay echoes the themes of his earlier script for Spartacus, and Schaffner's innate gift for epic cinema (this was made just two years after his great war biography Patton) is fully equal to the task of realising it on screen. The director's painterly eye for widescreen composition and his careful pacing impart a gravitas to proceedings even during the film's most squalid depictions of brutality, of which there are many emphasising the cheapness of human life among the convicts and their equally criminal prison guards in the penal colony of French Guiana. Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman form a remarkable screen pairing, with Hoffman outstanding as the pusillanimous Dega. McQueen magnificently overcomes his tough-guy persona in the extraordinary solitary confinement sequences as he is gradually reduced to a shambling, cockroach-eating wreck. Longtime collaborator Jerry Goldsmith, who had previously scored Schaffner's Planet of the Apes and Patton, attained yet another career high with his music.
On the DVD: The anamorphic widescreen print of the original Panavision 2. 35:1 ratio looks fine without being as stunning as some more modern prints; the Dolby 5.1 audio does however do great service to Jerry Goldsmith's score, which can also be selected separately from the Audio Setup menu as an isolated track (note that there's no music at all in the first 20 minutes of the film). The 12-minute "Magnificent Rebel" featurette was made at the time of the film's release , and includes some fascinating footage of Henri Charrière touring the prison se t, reminiscing about his experiences and pontificating ("Society does not want free men, society wants conditioned men"). --Mark Walker
Product Description
Brand new and sealed!! Please note this is the region free USA edition!! Get it quick!! Get it now !!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By M. Stewart
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
This warner bros US import is region free and plays perfectely on my UK sony player.
This disc is a must have if you are a Steve Mcqueen or Dustin Hoffman fan.
The film itself is a classic and if you're reading this review i'm sure you're interested in the Blu Ray quality the 1080P transfer has plenty film grain some parts of the film look soft especially the opening credits but once the film gets started the picture is very good and miles better than the sd version. The Blu Ray is also a digibook which is great.
The special features on the disc are poor which is unfortunate but if you are a fan of this movie it is worth importing this disc.
This disc is a must have if you are a Steve Mcqueen or Dustin Hoffman fan.
The film itself is a classic and if you're reading this review i'm sure you're interested in the Blu Ray quality the 1080P transfer has plenty film grain some parts of the film look soft especially the opening credits but once the film gets started the picture is very good and miles better than the sd version. The Blu Ray is also a digibook which is great.
The special features on the disc are poor which is unfortunate but if you are a fan of this movie it is worth importing this disc.
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A. Johnston
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A pretty stark depiction of the human spirit and how quickly normal people can become dehumanised by their conditions, but balanced out by the characters played by McQueen and Hoffman (together with the chaacters that come into the story and help them out). It's not always the actions of the prisoners that are brutal either, the establishment - both guards and civilians - are also portrayed in a damming light. Brilliant acting from McQueen and Hoffman as they are able to pick up their characters and bring out their differing but complimentary personalities perfectly.
I'd agree with the comment that you wouldn't watch it much more often than once every five years as it's a long film and quite heavy going; but when you do you'll be drawn into it without fail.
Cinematically it's also very impressive with brilliant use of locations and atmospheric sound, including effective use of silence when some films may have shied away and felt that they needed music.
I'd agree with the comment that you wouldn't watch it much more often than once every five years as it's a long film and quite heavy going; but when you do you'll be drawn into it without fail.
Cinematically it's also very impressive with brilliant use of locations and atmospheric sound, including effective use of silence when some films may have shied away and felt that they needed music.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By jed
Format:DVD
this movie is the best prison escape film ever made not only that you have two of the greatest actors of all time mcqueen and hoffman and if thats not good enough in my opinion these are the roles that are their best.this is the story of two men serving time in a brutal french penal colony and their attemts at escape,it is based on a true story and shows the inhumane treatment of the prisoners.if you want an all action film this is not for you but if you like a film with a proper story ,engaging characters and real depth you cant do better.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best
Up there with all the greats, should have bought it years ago.
Outstanding acting, wonderful ambience, excellent story, good finish.
Outstanding acting, wonderful ambience, excellent story, good finish.
Published 15 days ago by vincent loakes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Papillon Blu ray "UK RELEASE" ??
I wonder if there will be a UK release for this classic film, anyone got any ideas?, will have to buy the American release otherwise, which i am sure is superb also !!!
Published 16 days ago by A. godfrey
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
A joy to watch good actors at work . The quality was very good. Its a shame about the rest of my order.
Published 1 month ago by Neil ashforth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Papillon
Saw this film a long time ago and was keen to watch it again, enjoyed it just as much as the first time.
Published 1 month ago by Kathy
4.0 out of 5 stars
broken
I would feel this film is underrated, others may throw accusations at me of a lie but when i mention this to others they dont know it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by sean paul mccann
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bought this after reading the book
If you want to know Henri Charriere's story, then by the book. It's an okay movie but it doesn't begin to compare to the book.
Published 1 month ago by Derek Mc Loughlin And Suzanne Mc Loughlin
4.0 out of 5 stars
papillon blu-ray U.S.import
this has english audio in DTS-HD 5.1 only with optional subtitles in english, french and spanish.the only extras are a 12 min short featurette called The Magnificent Rebel where... Read more
Published 2 months ago by gerrard
5.0 out of 5 stars
CLASSIC FILM. STEVE MCQUEEN &DUSTIN HOFFMAN BRILLIANT AS EVER !!!!
Can't go wrong with Steve McQueen or Dustin Hoffman. Both world class actors. This film will stay with you forever !!!
Published 2 months ago by Iris Simmons
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chaingang
I had this sent to a friend who has not reported on it yet .
Saw the film years ago , a marvellous experience to view , dramas and harshness for the poor prisoners on a French... Read more
Saw the film years ago , a marvellous experience to view , dramas and harshness for the poor prisoners on a French... Read more
Published 4 months ago by David Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars
My review
An excellent purchase and one i would thoroughly endorse if that is what you might be considering. Definitely a sit down sunday escape movie worth watching.
Published 4 months ago by Andrew Croydon
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