Papillon
A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
Despite its small-scale budget of $12.0M, Papillon became a financial success, earning $53.3M worldwide—a 344% return. The film's bold vision engaged audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Papillon (1973) exemplifies deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Franklin J. Schaffner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Henri "Papillon" Charrière arrives in chains aboard a prison ship bound for French Guiana, a convicted murderer facing life imprisonment in a penal colony.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 18 minutes when Papillon witnesses the execution of escaped prisoners and the brutal punishment system. He declares to Dega his absolute determination: "I'm getting out of this place.".. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 76 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Papillon is recaptured and sentenced to five years of solitary confinement in darkness. The false victory of escape becomes a devastating defeat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 114 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Papillon emerges from solitary confinement as a broken, prematurely aged man. He contemplates that he may never escape, that his spirit may finally be destroyed. His dream appears dead., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 121 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Papillon prepares his final escape using coconuts as flotation devices. He bids farewell to Dega, who chooses to stay. Papillon leaps from the cliff into the churning ocean and rides the waves to freedom., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Papillon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Papillon against these established plot points, we can identify how Franklin J. Schaffner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Papillon within the crime genre.
Franklin J. Schaffner's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Franklin J. Schaffner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Papillon takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Franklin J. Schaffner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Franklin J. Schaffner analyses, see Planet of the Apes, Patton.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Henri "Papillon" Charrière arrives in chains aboard a prison ship bound for French Guiana, a convicted murderer facing life imprisonment in a penal colony.
Theme
Dega tells Papillon about the brutal reality of the colony: "Seventy percent die in the first year. The rest just exist." The theme of survival versus truly living is established.
Worldbuilding
Papillon meets Louis Dega, a counterfeiter with money who needs protection. The brutal conditions of the penal colony are revealed. Papillon makes his first deal: protection for funding his escape.
Disruption
Papillon witnesses the execution of escaped prisoners and the brutal punishment system. He declares to Dega his absolute determination: "I'm getting out of this place."
Resistance
Papillon plans his first escape, gathering intelligence, making alliances, and preparing supplies with Dega's money. He learns the geography and dangers of the jungle and sea.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Papillon experiences freedom in the jungle, encounters indigenous tribes, and navigates the perils of life on the run. He tastes liberty and refuses to give up despite recapture.
Midpoint
Papillon is recaptured and sentenced to five years of solitary confinement in darkness. The false victory of escape becomes a devastating defeat.
Opposition
Papillon endures years of solitary confinement, losing his physical strength and nearly his sanity. The prison system works to break his spirit completely. He suffers hallucinations and psychological torture.
Collapse
Papillon emerges from solitary confinement as a broken, prematurely aged man. He contemplates that he may never escape, that his spirit may finally be destroyed. His dream appears dead.
Crisis
Papillon struggles to recover physically and mentally. He must decide whether to accept his fate and die in prison, or find the strength to hope and fight once more.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Papillon prepares his final escape using coconuts as flotation devices. He bids farewell to Dega, who chooses to stay. Papillon leaps from the cliff into the churning ocean and rides the waves to freedom.