PAPILLON

US, 1973, 150 minutes, Colour.
Steve Mc Queen, Dustin Hoffman, Don Gordon, Victor Jory, Anthony Zerbe.
Directed by Franklin Schaffner.

The novel of Papillon has gained a wide readership in recent years. It was only to be expected that it should be filmed and given the big-budget treatment, with stars like Steve Mc Queen and Dustin Hoffman and a Director like Franklin Schaffner (whose two previous films were – Patton, Nicholas and Alexandra).

Many readers of the novel were not satisfied with the film as it compressed too much detail of the book. Some filmgoers who have not read the book found the film too episodic. They felt that the film, despite its two and a half hours length, contained too much. This seems to indicate that Papillon is a good example for discussion of the relative merits of films and books. However, despite its length or incompleteness, the film contains a vast story of an innocent man condemned to the horrors of a tropical prison, of cruelty and inhumanity, of friendship, of the desperate drive for survival, of escape and yearning for freedom. This is all eminently worthwhile, and the film offers plenty of illustration of these themes. Prison films challenge audiences in an area which we all hold dear - freedom and independence, and the effect of prison on man. What of solitary confinement - for one day, one month, one year, many years? Papillon is an adventure, but more important it is about the confinement and freedom of man.

1. The symbolic significance of the title and the butterfly? Its use in the film as a motif, the overtones of freedom, flight, escape?

2. Was this meant to be an entertaining adventure, or to teach a message?

3. What was your overall impression of prison life and its effect on people? Contrast between the beginning and the end? Papillon still wanting to escape? How inhuman and cruel are prisons?

4. How deep was the sense of humanity in the making of this film? Did the film exploit violence and suffering, or did it give an insight into its effect on human nature? What sequences best illustrate this?

5. Your first impressions of Papillon - in the procession at the beginning of the film? His protestations of innocence, desperate yearning for survival? His relationship with Dega? Protection moving towards friendship? Was he meant, in some way, to be an Everyman?


6. Comment on the emotional impact of the voyage out to French Guyana. Was it too violent, gory, too spasmodic in its sequences, or did it make a deep impression about prisoners, cruelty and exploitation, authorities and victims? Comment on Papillon and Dega within this framework.

7. Dega - the fact that he was guilty, a weak little man with glasses? Did he evoke sympathy in Papillon or was he merely being used? Why did he accept Papillon's protection and what bond was created between them?

8. The impression given in the film of French Guiana, especially the prisoners arrival and the: Governor's speech against the background of the guillotine? Prisoners living quarters, work situations and the swamps with the crocodiles?

9. How symbolic was the catching of the butterflies? How well did Papillon arrange his escape and why did he defend Dega?

10. Were you shocked at Papillon's betrayal? Did this indicate man's exploitation of man and his cruelty and lack of
feeling?

11. Papillon's solitary confinement? How well filmed were these sequences? The symbolism of his dream about the past, injustice, fantasy of happiness, dream of death? How important was this in revealing some of the inner depths of Papillon? Should they have been shown earlier in the film?

12. Did the film need an intermission? Why? Was it effectively placed?

13. How did the film indicate the emergence of Papillon from solitary confinement as an achievement? The calmness of infirmary life afterwards? Why was he still determined to escape? Did his continual planning become an obsession? Comment on the character of Clusiot and his help?

14. How had Dega been transformed by this time? Sense of being owned; peaceful existence but lack of independence?

15. How exciting was the next escape - background of the concert, split second precision and failures? Was there any alternative to leaving Clusiot? How did Dega hamper the escape? Did you feel there would be a new betrayal?

16. Was the sequence with the lepers important dramatically and did it add to the horrors of this part of the world? The importance of the chase? Did Papillon have any choice but to leave Dega? Comment on the emotional effect where Papillon and the other convict were chased by head-hunters.

17. Sequence with the Indians - their truce and then treachery with the Arab? The tattooing of the butterfly on the Indian chief?

18. Sequence with the nuns, betrayal of the superior? Did she have any choice when faced with the convict?

19. The passing of five years in solitary. Did the film convey this effectively? Had this broken Papillon's spirit - had he aged? Do you think he felt a certain peace on being relegated to Devil's Island?

20. What had happened to Dega during this time? Had imprisonment broken him? Was there still some bond between Papillon and Dega?

21. Why was Papillon still obsessed with escaping although it seemed impossible? Was the final escape plausible? Why did Dega stay behind?

22. What did this obsession about freedom show about the human spirit? Did the film show insight into man's drive to live and be free? Comment on the contrast between Papillon and Dega in their will for freedom.

23. Would you say this film was -good, excellent, solemn, valuable? Why?