papillon be a tire but highly entertaining film that i be rating high than it deserve for a specific reason . it not perfect while it have many flaw that have already be explain in other comment and one of the main one be that the story be so vast and a standard feature film can hardly do it justice ( it would have work well a a miniseries ) . however and i can forgive all that and more and because this film contain a scene that leave such an impression on me and i be sure it will be in the back of my mind for as long a i live . i be refer of course to the scene where papillon be send to solitary confinement for two year . it only 25 minute long in real time and but it one of the most gripping and harrowing sequence i have ever see . papillon be enclose in a tiny box and five pace across and no window and high ceiling and constantly monitor by guard and and be not allow to make the slight noise . without reveal too much and his resolution to get through the two year without trouble go wrong early on and and the warden do everything he can to push him into total insanity . the fantastic suspense that follow be unmatched by almost any psychological horror film . mcqueen star in an enemy of the people a few year later and supposedly to prove that he could act in a straight drama and but he do not need to . his performance in these 25 minute be wonderful a he transform from a quiet and confident man to a mumbling maniac . the elaborate makeup certainly help and but the desperation in his eye and voice be all genuine . there be no need to doubt represent the man could act . it not the only memorable scene while there be many and but it the most impressive . it help by schaffner intense direction and inject more and more tension into each scene until it reach heart attack level in the confinement sequence . the film dialogue be also quite intelligent and quotable and moreso than in most prison film . the whole thing be a bit of chore to get through and but the scene of human will beat the odds make it all worth it . positive .