A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
“After serving your full terms in prison, those of you with sentences of eight years or more will remain in Guiana as workers and colonists for a period equal of that of your original sentences” He should have said IF you managed to serve your full terms considering the prisons 75 percent death rate🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿
It was France’s version of the chain gang in the American south at the same time. Backbreaking labor with stupid, illiterate, angry, sadistic, and hateful guards 12-15 hours a day. Meals were small, disgusting, and inedible. Shitting was done in open spaces with no real sanitation. Bathing was just a small wipe down. Compassion was only for the soft and weak. Many people in power were extremely primitive and stupid back then on a logical and emotional level. Human evolution was just starting to finish up.
Yep, I can see why France was sympathetic to Germany in WWII. France was running their own concentration camps. This prison in French Guiana didn't close until 1953.
The guy was lying when he said, "France has rid itself of you altogether!" That's pretty ironic, the situation is really: "France is done with you. Psych!! France is going to imprison you to a term that 75% of you won't survive. Those of you who do will continue to work slave-labor but you'll be treated better and have a much higher survival rate." It's really appalling that a "civilized" country would do this.
@@Skank_and_Gutterboy I remember when they were on the boat that man that had parts with Steve McQueen in Bullitt and and The Towering Inferno said 40% of them would be dead before the first year is up. Papillon served maybe 9 years, with 7 in solitary confinement, but aged 30 years.
I've always wondered how the drummer knows when to do his drum-roll in preparation for the big wing-ding to speak. He must be listening for him to say, "Thank you, captain!", count off 5 seconds, and then drum it. Seems like it would be a whole lot easier for him to be standing a few paces away and his cue would be the big boss saying, "Drummer!" I wonder what kind of trouble he would be in for screwing that up.
I was in what is called a Banda de guerra (marching band) in Mexico back in school and then in a reserve army battalion they train you on how to do such thing when you’re in the drum line
@michaelwhalen2442 Watching another one he wrote the Screenplay for, Thirty Seconds over Tokyo. Also saw the movie, although Brian Cranston's portrayal was during the height of the Blacklist, with one scene set about 10-20 years later.
@@michaelwhalen5058 might be depressing to you, but to me it is the best anti-militaristic novel ever written by human hand. The author Ron Kovin ("Born on the 4th of July") a Vietnam Vet, wrote the introduction of "Johnny got his gun" and said it was the text that stroke him most after the war. Dalton Trumbo is also a 1st world war veteran. This book is a cult classic worth reading for every generation.
Seeing the money that Degas married, I don't know why he felt the need to steal. I guess he was addicted to the thrill of it. Considering the penalty for doing it, he was downright nuts. Maybe he thought his wife's political connections and money would get him easy time in a domestic "golf-course" prison.
@@allengreene9954 I am French and one thing I do know is that during WW2, the staff officers hade a policy which said "we have to do economy of french blood". What did it meant in the facts was : all Senegalese and algerian skirmishers in the first line ! Well, in a way yes, it did save a lot of "french" blood....Fuckers...
@@vinzelrato Hell De Gaulle and several other French Politicians in the 50s and 60s said that without the resources from Africa, France would be a third world country🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿 21 African Nations still pay taxes to the French.....
@@vinzelrato Britain was the same way too. Getting soldiers out of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, the Sudan and Uganda to be on the frontlines. Several people uphold the French and British Empires as “amazing” but ignore how brutal and sinister the both of them were to their former colonies around the world🤢🤢🤢🤢
Why did they dispose of them in France and France ridded themselves of them? How does the justice system work in France and Guiana these days? Is this how the justice system works in that nation? I think I remember some of them end up back in France. They should be allowed back in France.
The British did the same when it transported those it deemed 'undesirable' to the colonies. First to the Americas and then to the new found colony of Australia. You could argue that British and Irish convict labour built Australia if they survived the long sea voyage. It wasn't just France that had a harsh criminal justice system.
Perfect opening scene. My opinion about the whole movie is mixed but some of it's scenes are great
Some beautifully composed shots here
Brilliant movie and one of the best actors in my opinion
Breathtaking mise en scene!
“After serving your full terms in prison, those of you with sentences of eight years or more will remain in Guiana as workers and colonists for a period equal of that of your original sentences” He should have said IF you managed to serve your full terms considering the prisons 75 percent death rate🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿
talk about a shit sandwich
It was France’s version of the chain gang in the American south at the same time. Backbreaking labor with stupid, illiterate, angry, sadistic, and hateful guards 12-15 hours a day. Meals were small, disgusting, and inedible. Shitting was done in open spaces with no real sanitation. Bathing was just a small wipe down. Compassion was only for the soft and weak. Many people in power were extremely primitive and stupid back then on a logical and emotional level. Human evolution was just starting to finish up.
Yep, I can see why France was sympathetic to Germany in WWII. France was running their own concentration camps. This prison in French Guiana didn't close until 1953.
The guy was lying when he said, "France has rid itself of you altogether!" That's pretty ironic, the situation is really: "France is done with you. Psych!! France is going to imprison you to a term that 75% of you won't survive. Those of you who do will continue to work slave-labor but you'll be treated better and have a much higher survival rate." It's really appalling that a "civilized" country would do this.
@@Skank_and_Gutterboy I remember when they were on the boat that man that had parts with Steve McQueen in Bullitt and and The Towering Inferno said 40% of them would be dead before the first year is up. Papillon served maybe 9 years, with 7 in solitary confinement, but aged 30 years.
One of the late, great Steve McQueen's best roles.
I've always wondered how the drummer knows when to do his drum-roll in preparation for the big wing-ding to speak. He must be listening for him to say, "Thank you, captain!", count off 5 seconds, and then drum it. Seems like it would be a whole lot easier for him to be standing a few paces away and his cue would be the big boss saying, "Drummer!" I wonder what kind of trouble he would be in for screwing that up.
I was in what is called a Banda de guerra (marching band) in Mexico back in school and then in a reserve army battalion they train you on how to do such thing when you’re in the drum line
@@northamericanintercontinen3207
Interesting!
0:32 This guy talking looks like he came straight off a Monopoly game card.
His name is Dalton Trumbo. He was the author of "Johnny Got His Gun." You may have heard of it at some time.
@michaelwhalen2442 Watching another one he wrote the Screenplay for, Thirty Seconds over Tokyo. Also saw the movie, although Brian Cranston's portrayal was during the height of the Blacklist, with one scene set about 10-20 years later.
The guy with the mustache is the author Dalton Trumbo.
Trumbo is one of the two who wrote the screenplay. The book was written by Papillon himself.
@@aristeidislykas7163 Trumbo also authored a very depressing book entitled "Johnny Got his Gun." You may have heard of it. Check it out.
@@michaelwhalen5058 I actually watched the film. Very well made, considering most of it is watching a man with a covered face on a bed.
@@michaelwhalen5058 might be depressing to you, but to me it is the best anti-militaristic novel ever written by human hand. The author Ron Kovin ("Born on the 4th of July") a Vietnam Vet, wrote the introduction of "Johnny got his gun" and said it was the text that stroke him most after the war. Dalton Trumbo is also a 1st world war veteran. This book is a cult classic worth reading for every generation.
True ? I never noticed. Thanks for the trivia man.
Masterpiece !!👍
Well made movie
Seeing the money that Degas married, I don't know why he felt the need to steal. I guess he was addicted to the thrill of it. Considering the penalty for doing it, he was downright nuts. Maybe he thought his wife's political connections and money would get him easy time in a domestic "golf-course" prison.
France was/is pretty cold hearted
True
Wow,hard words
1:45 I have never noticed the guards pointing bayonets on the prisoners - which was the most dangerous position to be - were all blacks.
They were well trained Senegalese Colonial Troops.
@@allengreene9954 I am French and one thing I do know is that during WW2, the staff officers hade a policy which said "we have to do economy of french blood". What did it meant in the facts was : all Senegalese and algerian skirmishers in the first line ! Well, in a way yes, it did save a lot of "french" blood....Fuckers...
@@vinzelrato Hell De Gaulle and several other French Politicians in the 50s and 60s said that without the resources from Africa, France would be a third world country🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿 21 African Nations still pay taxes to the French.....
@@vinzelrato Britain was the same way too. Getting soldiers out of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, the Sudan and Uganda to be on the frontlines. Several people uphold the French and British Empires as “amazing” but ignore how brutal and sinister the both of them were to their former colonies around the world🤢🤢🤢🤢
I just noticed that watching the movie today. Those guys marching backwards with bayonets out are all black.
did you know that during WW1 the french refused to give their pilots parachutes? they said it would impair the pilots fighting spirits...what a holes.
Why did they dispose of them in France and France ridded themselves of them? How does the justice system work in France and Guiana these days? Is this how the justice system works in that nation? I think I remember some of them end up back in France. They should be allowed back in France.
The British did the same when it transported those it deemed 'undesirable' to the colonies. First to the Americas and then to the new found colony of Australia. You could argue that British and Irish convict labour built Australia if they survived the long sea voyage. It wasn't just France that had a harsh criminal justice system.
Don’t recognize Bill Mumy
Outing to work / le travail