The Best Prison Film??

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

The fact that Papillon is not on the list significantly reduces the credibility of the list when it is universally considered one of the top 10 best prison films by every critic and movie organization. The credibility of the list is also reduced by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest being included as it is NOT a prison movie, it took place in a mental institution.

Just my two cents, but maybe you should make shorter lists and include films that absolutely should be on there, instead of making long lists that miss out on major films and include ones that do not even fit.

As such, I did not vote.

Thank you.

Anyone voting for Shawshank who has not seen Papillon, shouldnt be voting. Papillon was made 20 years earlier and the themes found in Shawshank are all too similar (almost identical). The prison environment and prisoner treatment in Shawshank PALES in comparison to Papillon. The efforts (multiple) to escape are much more dangerous in Papillon and the consequences for failed attempts are insane. The penal colonies of the French Guiana themselves were to be more feared than a dangerous inmate. Just enduring the conditions was monumental feat of survival. The "buddy" theme runs strong and deep in Papillon, to the point of pulling many tears.

Two excellent actors, Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman give powerfull performances.

I really believe that fans of the genre are doing themselves a tremendous disservice if they skip this film. This is the Gone with the Wind or the Ben Hur or the Judgement at Nuremberg of prison movies. I left the theater emotionally and physically exhausted and it rattled around in my head for many days.