My mom got me to watch this movie when I was thirteen. I was entranced by it. I have probably seen it a hundred times at this point in my life, and I would still call it my all time favorite movie. After the first time I watched it, I immediately went to the library and checked out Papillon and the followup book called Banco. It's just a damn great story, the story of the real Papillon, whether it's all true or not. I think the movie is so full of subtle, wonderful moments. I used to think of Papi saying "I'm still here, you bastards!" anytime I was feeling down when I was teenager. He became a kind of hero to me, just by the fact that he never, ever gave up and he always prevailed.
McQueen and Hoffman were both so perfect in their roles. I am not a huge Hoffman fan, but I can't imagine anyone else taking his place in this movie. He brought a lot of emotion and humor to the movie to balance out the more stoic, but still incredible, Papillon of Steve McQueen.
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