During Papillons first escape he assaults a guard with boiling water.
Would he not have been executed for this?
Apologies if this has been already discussed.
Almost certainly. But then there wouldn't have been a movie.
shareThe movie is not the real story, it's mixed up and cut down.
The real event was inside a prison and he did throw boiling water on a turnkey (not an officer). He was punished severley in soliraty. However the new turnkey was greatful to getting his new position so he gave Pap some food and things in solitary. Read the book, it's a million times better then the film :) There is also a sequel called Banco.