Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
During the Steve McQueen phase of my young life, PAPILLON and THE GREAT ESCAPE were among the films that I’ve enjoyed watching numerous times. The similarity between the two is they are based partly on true events featuring larger-than-life personalities and the daring adventures that lie ahead. While the 1963 John Sturges classic had colorful characters and witty dialogue, Franklin J. Schaffner’s prison tale is the polar opposite of the latter film’s breezy style. McQueen brings his signature “King of Cool” persona into Henri Charriere, the wrongfully convicted safecracker who will never give up his personal freedom without a fight. Dustin Hoffman gives another winning performance as Louis Dega, a currency forger with an unlimited amount of cash hidden inside his intestines. Starring together for the first and final time, the two men have a particular goal of escaping the hellish, tropical South American penal colony known as Devil’s Island. Having seen the original PLANET OF THE APES, Schaffner has a distinctive visual flair which makes him truly underrated as a director. While watching the opening scene in PAPILLON, one must feel the desperation that the prisoners are going through. Stripped of their belongings and nationality, the march around the streets of Paris (or in this case Madrid) is melancholy but at the same time mesmerizing. The film’s combination of Old Hollywood epic storytelling with gritty New Hollywood filmmaking is nothing short of remarkable cinema. Despite seeing PAPILLON in all of its widescreen glory on DVD, the picture quality is inferior but the 5.1 sound re-mix of Jerry Goldsmith’s score is outstanding. Maybe if I get a Blu-ray player one day, the media book will be the first purchase. To quote the last line of the film, “Hey you bastards, I’m still here.”Read full review
Sad part of dealing with criminals on those days. Amazing how the main character was able to endure his captivity.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Was a good movie then still is great characters.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great movie
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I watched this movie at a drive in. Never saw the ending. Ahem... a friend of mine is in this movie so I look forward to rewatching it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Good movie, but somehow omitted the closed caption option.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
We just saw the original Papillon with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman and it was very entertaining and suspenseful. I think that it was more realistic than the remake which we saw a few months ago.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
My husbands favorite movie! I just watched for the 1st time it’s a great movie
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
One of my husbands favorite movies.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This used CD operates just fine. No issues noticed.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned