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From this Saturday at 12 AM Eastern—that’s 4 PM Saturday in NZ, 2 PM in Sydney, and 5 AM in the UK—and repeated every four hours throughout the day—we’re
featuring the described movies Papillon (1973) and The Warriors (1979).
Got questions, comments, or ideas for future described movies?
Email me at anthony at mushroomfm dot com (written this way to reduce spam).
Enjoy the movies and check out the details below!
Movie 1: Papillon (1973)
Papillon (1973) is a gripping biographical prison drama based on the memoirs of Henri Charrière. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, the film is celebrated
for its powerful performances and unflinching portrayal of survival, resilience, and the human spirit.
Steve McQueen stars as Charrière—nicknamed “Papillon” for the butterfly tattoo on his chest—who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life
in the notorious French penal colony of Devil’s Island. There, he forms an unlikely bond with fellow prisoner Louis Dega, played by Dustin Hoffman, whose
financial crimes have made him a target among inmates.
Together, the two men endure brutal conditions, isolation, and relentless hardship as Papillon obsessively pursues his dream of escape. The film is renowned
for its emotional depth, striking visuals, and its exploration of loyalty and endurance in the face of overwhelming cruelty.
Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner
Produced by: Robert Dorfmann, Franklin J. Schaffner
Starring: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory, Don Gordon, Anthony Zerbe
Screenplay by: Dalton Trumbo, Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Based on: Papillon by Henri Charrière
Cinematography: Fred J. Koenekamp
Edited by: Robert Swink, Ramon Rivera
Music by: Jerry Goldsmith
Distributed by: Allied Artists
Release date: 13 December 1973 (USA)
File length: 143 minutes
Country: United States / France
Language: English
Budget: $12 million
Box office: $53 million
Movie 2: The Warriors (1979)
The Warriors (1979) is a cult-classic action thriller that blends gritty urban drama with stylised, almost mythic storytelling. Directed by Walter Hill,
the film has become iconic for its unique aesthetic, memorable dialogue, and enduring influence on pop culture.
The story follows the titular gang, The Warriors, who travel from Coney Island to the Bronx to attend a massive gathering of New York’s street gangs. When
charismatic leader Cyrus is assassinated mid-speech; The Warriors are wrongfully blamed. With every gang in the city hunting them down, they must cross
the urban landscape by night and fight their way back home.
Fast-paced, atmospheric, and visually striking, The Warriors stands out for its tense chase sequences, distinctive gang designs, and hypnotic late-night
portrayal of 1970s New York. It remains a landmark of genre filmmaking—one whose style and legacy continue to resonate decades later.
Directed by: Walter Hill
Produced by: Lawrence Gordon
Starring: Michael Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Marcelino Sánchez, David Harris
Screenplay by: Walter Hill, David Shaber
Based on: The Warriors by Sol Yurick
Cinematography: Andrew Laszlo
Edited by: Billy Weber, David Holden
Music by: Barry De Vorzon
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: 9 February 1979 (USA)
File length: 93 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $4 million
Box office: $22.5 million