Sean Posey

If you've ever ready any books or watched any documentaries about the history of the infamous bagne in French Guiana, you'll be spellbound by Papillon. The Dantesque world of that time and place is brought to live in vivid color by director Frank Schaffner. McQueen and Hoffman indelibly portray two very different men brought together by circumstance. A reliable supporting cast and a variety of locales keep events moving. One of the great prison films of all time.