Papillon (2017) is a gripping remake of the 1973 classic starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, which itself was based on the autobiographical novels of Henri Charrière. Directed by Michael Noer, this version stars Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek in a brutal yet inspiring story of survival, friendship, and freedom.
Detailed Summary
The Setup: Paris, Crime, and Conviction
The film begins in 1930s Paris, where Henri “Papillon” Charrière (Charlie Hunnam) is a safecracker and thief living a comfortable life on the fringes of society. His nickname, “Papillon” (French for “butterfly”), comes from the butterfly tattoo on his chest. After being framed for a murder he didn’t commit, Henri is sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor in French Guiana — a notorious penal colony known for its cruelty and high death rates.
The Penal Colony: A Living Hell
Upon arrival, Papillon quickly learns the harsh reality of his new life. The prisoners are subjected to brutal labor, scarce food, and constant beatings from guards. Survival depends not only on strength but on alliances. It’s here that he meets Louis Dega (Rami Malek), a timid, wealthy counterfeiter who’s also been sentenced for financial crimes.
Papillon immediately sees Dega as a means to an end — someone who can fund an escape. But what begins as a transactional relationship gradually turns into a deep friendship forged through mutual dependence and respect.
The First Escape Attempt
Papillon and Dega plan a daring escape, enlisting other prisoners and bribing guards with Dega’s hidden money. Their plan takes them into the jungle and across dangerous terrain. But freedom proves elusive — they’re betrayed, captured, and returned to the prison. The punishment is solitary confinement, a nearly inhumane experience where Papillon is starved and left in darkness for years.
The solitary scenes are some of the film’s most haunting — Hunnam lost a significant amount of weight for authenticity, and the sequences are both visually and emotionally devastating.
The Return and the Island Prison
When Papillon is finally released from solitary, he is a shell of his former self. But his will to escape remains unbroken. He reunites with Dega, who has grown weaker and more resigned to his fate. Despite the odds, Papillon convinces him to join another attempt.
This time, their punishment for being recaptured is being transferred to Devil’s Island, a high-security prison surrounded by treacherous cliffs and the endless ocean. The prison is designed so that escape is practically impossible.
The Final Escape
Years pass, and Papillon never gives up his dream of freedom. He eventually discovers that the island’s geography might offer one chance: jumping into the sea while clutching a handmade floatation device made from coconuts. He persuades Dega to come with him, but Dega, weakened and fearful, chooses to stay behind.
In one of the film’s most powerful moments, Papillon hugs his friend goodbye, tells him he will always be with him in spirit, and then leaps from the cliff into the raging sea. The camera lingers on his figure as he floats away, the waves crashing, symbolizing both freedom and uncertainty.
Movie Ending
Papillon successfully escapes Devil’s Island, surviving against impossible odds. The final scene reveals that he made it to safety and eventually lived as a free man in Venezuela. The film closes with a note that Henri Charrière later wrote a memoir about his experience, which became a worldwide bestseller and inspired this very story.
It’s a bittersweet ending — Dega’s fate remains unknown, but his friendship and sacrifices are immortalized in Papillon’s story. The ending drives home the central message: that the human spirit, no matter how broken or confined, can never be fully imprisoned.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Papillon (2017) does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes firmly with the text epilogue about Henri Charrière’s real-life fate, leaving viewers with closure rather than teasing any continuation.
Type of Movie
Papillon is a biographical drama and prison escape film. It combines elements of survival, adventure, and friendship within a historical and deeply emotional framework.
Cast
- Charlie Hunnam as Henri “Papillon” Charrière
- Rami Malek as Louis Dega
- Yorick van Wageningen as Warden Barrot
- Roland Møller as Celier
- Tommy Flanagan as Masked Breton
- Eve Hewson as Nenette (Papillon’s lover)
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by David Buckley, whose music enhances the tension, isolation, and raw emotional journey of the film. The soundtrack leans on atmospheric tones rather than grand orchestration, matching the bleak, realistic tone of the story.
Filming Locations
The film was shot in Malta, Montenegro, and Serbia, standing in for the jungles and islands of French Guiana. These rugged, natural settings amplify the sense of isolation and desperation. The brutal heat, dense foliage, and ocean vistas give the movie its authenticity, making the prison scenes feel painfully real.
Awards and Nominations
Although Papillon (2017) did not win major awards, it received praise for the performances of Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek and for staying emotionally true to the original story. Critics generally acknowledged its gritty realism and strong chemistry between the leads.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Charlie Hunnam lost over 40 pounds to realistically portray the effects of starvation and solitary confinement.
- Filming in Malta’s intense summer heat caused several crew members to collapse during production.
- Rami Malek’s glasses in the film were custom-made replicas of those worn by Dustin Hoffman in the 1973 version.
- Director Michael Noer wanted a more grounded, documentary-style tone, so many scenes were shot handheld.
- The actors performed several of their own stunts, especially the cliff-jumping sequence.
Inspirations and References
The movie is based on the real-life memoirs “Papillon” (1969) and “Banco” (1972) by Henri Charrière. While some details were fictionalized, the overall story draws from true events — Charrière’s imprisonment, his escape attempts, and his enduring fight for freedom.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While no official alternate ending has been released, early drafts of the script reportedly had a more ambiguous conclusion, leaving Papillon’s survival uncertain. Several scenes involving Dega’s psychological breakdown were shortened to keep the pacing tight.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Compared to the original memoir, the movie compresses many of Papillon’s escape attempts and prison transfers into a streamlined narrative. In the book, Papillon escapes multiple times over many years, while the film focuses primarily on two major attempts. Some characters were also merged or fictionalized for dramatic effect.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening heist and Papillon’s framing in Paris.
- Papillon and Dega’s first night in the penal colony.
- Papillon’s brutal solitary confinement sequence.
- The first failed jungle escape and its betrayal.
- The climactic cliff jump from Devil’s Island.
Iconic Quotes
- Papillon: “I’m going to escape — and when I do, I’ll never stop running.”
- Dega: “You think a man can live after what they’ve done to you?”
- Papillon: “I am still here.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The butterfly tattoo on Papillon’s chest subtly changes over time, symbolizing his transformation from prisoner to survivor.
- A newspaper headline glimpsed briefly in Paris reads “Safecracker Strikes Again,” hinting at Papillon’s criminal reputation before he’s framed.
- The shot composition of the cliff-jump scene mirrors the final escape shot in the 1973 version as an homage.
Trivia
- The name “Papillon” became synonymous with endurance in French culture.
- Henri Charrière’s memoir was once banned in French prisons due to its anti-authoritarian themes.
- The 2017 film was Rami Malek’s last role before Bohemian Rhapsody catapulted him to global fame.
- Charlie Hunnam spent time in isolation before filming to understand the psychological effects of confinement.
Why Watch?
Watch Papillon for its powerful performances, gritty realism, and timeless message about freedom and friendship. It’s not just an escape movie — it’s a story about the human spirit’s refusal to be broken, even when stripped of everything.
Director’s Other Movies
- R (2010)
- Northwest (2013)
- Before the Frost (2018)
