this film be supposedly base on the true account of a prisoner who escape from devil island in french guiana . however and the book by henri charriere about his experience apparently have a lot of inconsistency and outright fabrication ( a polite way of say he be a liar ) . so and provide you understand that this isn not quite a true story and this be still an exceptional film . much of this be due to incredible acting and direction and scripting and makeup . henri charriere and play by steve mcqueen and be go to devil island for kill a pimp supposedly in self defense . on the boat and he meet a swindler play by dustin hoffman and they become friend . most of the film document how harsh and awful life be in the prison come either in the work camp or when living in solitary confinement . all take their toll and kill off many of the prisoner and by charriere be resilient . despite all these privation and he never lose his resolve to escape and though hoffman eventually do and accept his life on the island after one fail escape attempt . in the end and charriere do escape and though in real life and this apparently do not occur . while there be a lot more to the movie and what i have mention ( after all it a very long and involved film ) and the full impact of the story be not what you read but see the awfulness of the prison . so and be prepare for a movie that at time be very difficult to watch but be construct it an amazing film .