Yes, the movie Papillon (2017) is based on a true story. It is based on the autobiographical book “Papillon” written by Henri Charrière, a French convict who was imprisoned at the infamous penal colony on Devil’s Island in French Guiana in the 1930s.
What is the true story behind the movie Papillon (2017)?
Papillon is a 2017 film starring Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek, based on the autobiographical book “Papillon” written by Henri Charrière. The book and the movie tell the story of Charrière’s imprisonment and escape from the infamous Devil’s Island prison in French Guiana.
Henri Charrière was a small-time criminal who was wrongly convicted of a murder in 1931 and sentenced to life in prison. In 1933, he was transferred to French Guiana, where he was sent to the notorious Devil’s Island prison. The prison was known for its harsh living conditions, brutal punishments, and high mortality rate. Charrière was determined to escape from the prison and dreamed of returning to France.
Charrière made several attempts to escape but was repeatedly caught and punished. He eventually met a fellow inmate, a counterfeiter named Louis Dega, who agreed to finance his escape in exchange for Charrière’s protection. The two became close friends and began to plan their escape.
In 1941, Charrière and Dega finally managed to break out of the prison with the help of some fellow inmates. They spent several weeks on the run in the jungle before finally reaching the coast and escaping to Venezuela.
Henri Charrière spent many years living in Venezuela and wrote his autobiography, “Papillon”, which became a best-seller. The book was later adapted into a popular film in 1973, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The 2017 film is a remake of the 1973 film and tells the same story.
While Charrière’s account of his imprisonment and escape has been disputed by some, there is no doubt that he spent many years in the brutal Devil’s Island prison and managed to escape, making his story a remarkable tale of survival and determination.
Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Papillon (2017)?
Yes, the movie Papillon (2017) is based on the book Papillon by Henri Charrière, which is a memoir about his experiences as a prisoner in French Guiana.
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