Papillon, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, flew into theaters in December of 1973. This drama about two prisoners (McQueen & Hoffman) attempting to escape from the Devil’s Island penal colony off the coast of French Guiana was the fourth highest-grossing film of the year.
I saw Papillon in the theater at seven-years-old and thoroughly enjoyed it. If my mother couldn’t find a babysitter she’d simply take me along to the movies with her. I’m glad she did. I saw a lot of classics that way. I’m sure I watched Papillon again on TV in the 1970s but I haven’t seen it since. I plan on another viewing this evening to see how it holds up. Why not join me? Catch the original trailer below.
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Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: ‘Silver Streak’