Papillon, French Guiana & Angel Falls (The Wild Coast, Part 3/3)

Part III of The Wild Coast: An Exploration of the Guianas (Remastered) explores the penal system in French Guiana, specifically Henri Charrière and his book Papillon, the greatest story of prison escape ever told. We retrace several of his escapes, including his first to Trinidad and his last to Venezuela, with a a final glorious look at Angel Falls in the Canaima National Park.
Part I Jonestown, Guyana: • Jonestown & Kaieteur F...
Part II Suriname: • Suriname Guerilla War,...
Part III Papillon, French Guiana, and Angel Falls: • Papillon, French Guian...
The Wild Coast Documentary is a physical, historical and philosophical exploration of the Guianas, the three countries that make up the northeast of South America. These unique, non-Spanish speaking countries, are still wild and untamed. The main theme of our film on the Guianas is freedom. Freedom has both been trampled on and clinged-to--at very great costs.
Limited Credits
(Full Credits at End of Film)
Filmed, Edited, Written and Produced by David Whalen
Produced by Richard Taylor
Shot on Panasonic GH3 Camera
GoPro Hero 3 Black
DJI Phantom Quadcopter
La Mancha Media © 2014
All Rights Reserved
www.lamanchamedia.org
Contact us for details on the licesning of footage
Shot on Location:
French Guiana
St. Laurent du Maroni
Îles du Salut
Devil's Island
Korou
Cayenne
Venezuela
Caracas
Angel Falls
Canaima National Park
Trinidad & Tobago
San Fernando

[@douglaslucas7612]

I sailed from the Cape Verde Islands to devil's island in 1975. I spent a week exploring the deserted island except for few french foreign legionaires and stayed in board My boat te quest a 180 footer. Coconut were everywhere and we made good use of them and I spent 3 night's of diablo in the Rock shack that papillon had LIVED in. I read the book papillon while on the island. NOW it's a tourist licat, crowded and overrun and you can't overnight in papillons rock house, alone as he had been. I feel very lucky to have had this once in a lifetime experience and after 48 years it's still occasionally on my mind. I was 18 now 66

[@yellow5fish]

His passion and focus to be a free man kept him alive and succeeded in his escape to freedom.

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

Its sad he did not get to see the completion of the film although he turned up on the film set to over see it . The sudden prickly wet heat , the painful memories at his old age who knows... it might have been to much of a shock to his system hence Heart attack

[@sanjaykumarsingh7156]

Papillon has touched, me so emotionally, I can't forget his book, his words, his spirit all through my college to retirement. Ha

[@lamanchamediatube]

Absolutely. Me too. Thanks

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

I feel the same . Its very rare that one is so moved by a book or a film.

[@TheGolfdaily]

I have been to the island when I was like 9 with my patents in the 70s. - Now were are watching this together. Thanks for this Great video!! 👍

[@brendanwienand9836]

Powerful and very moving. Forces one to reflect on ones own life and then think about the hellish pain and suffering of these poor tortured men, no different from ourselves. Papillon who somehow never relinquished hope after everything else that makes a man, is taken away from them, managed to find the love of God and ultimately freedom. A bereft life rewarded no doubt by eternal peace. The dichotomy of abject horror and then the fullness of beauty. RIP.

[@lamanchamediatube]

Brendan thanks so much. This is a great comment and totally in sync with how I tried to potray this and why I am personally so proud of having been able to make this. I'm glad to know it and Papillon and prisoners moved you.

[@nievels]

Thanks a lot for a great documentary. I am from Vzla, it was such a surprise to me the story of El gran café! Miss my country and I appreciate the beautiful words to my country and the end of the video. Very touching, hoping my country gets freedom soon.

[@lamanchamediatube]

Thanks so much! I hope so too!

[@scotlan9144]

An absolutely great documentary... I too had read the book Papillon and Banco in 1985 and have forever wanted and will go to the islands after the covid restrictions to experience such odyssey of a once in a lifetime... The nearest I got to French Guiana was during my military service in British Guyana during the Jonestown Massacre in 1978... Once again thank you for this documentary... It won't be long before I somehow get on Devil's Island regardless of the island being off limits to tourists that will undoubtedly see myself in the Bagne... Any one else interested!

[@rodfast8196]

I ll go .

[@mikewatson8521]

I would love to go and experience this for myself

[@houseofoddity]

This was incredible. The story of Papillon captured my heart many moon ago. This really was something special. I thank you 🙏🏾 XO

[@m-z-nzedjali4043]

I feel alot people resonates with his sotry because all of us are dealing with a mental persion and each day we try to escape and until one day it will be ture; we won't give up.

[@marcallen7233]

👍 Excellent video! Papillon is one of my favorite books and it is fascinating to actually see the places he mentioned in the book.

[@lamanchamediatube]

Thanks. It was amazing to be there after reading his book

[@gym_bob]

You very seldom see artisticly done documentaries anymore. The kind that make you think. I had a hard time watching the section on the french penal system...but in a good way! . Man's inhumanity to man. The healing comes at the end... Those gigantic falls at the end did just that....symbolically washed all the horror away as if on cue from God! Very well done! Thankyou for sharing! God Bless!

[@lamanchamediatube]

Hi Bob, thanks very much for your great comment. I really appreciate it when people take the time to thoughtfully watch the entire thing, there is a lot here and you are one of those who "got it" fully. I am glad you liked it.

[@mrbiscuit1701]

the book is very dear to me and my family also it should be studied in schools if u ask me sometimes life demands you to go against the grain and act against authority when that authority has become corrupted, forever free now our papillon rip,much love from uk x

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

My favorite book . I read it three times. Once every ten years i read it.

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

The oigional fim just as the book are both very dear to me and i got them both . The book is very old and jaded and i bought it 35 years ago when i lived in Berlin for a while so its in German and the film i recorded in english and still have it on a dusty VHS tape from the mid nineties . Both are in my collection . Incredible how one hangs on to certain things. I could be accused of being a Neanderthal for keeping my old video machine!

[@hermansimmons838]

Great movie watched 10 or more times would love to visit there

[@lamanchamediatube]

Wow thank u! Great compliment to know u watched 10x! If u can, go!

[@212Roger]

@@lamanchamediatube I have over 25 copies of the book: Papillon.

[@richarddcvd8868]

Thank you.

[@crv328]

Very nice, and informative video 👍

[@meekhinglim4829]

Two thumbs up

[@MH-rx7tn]

Lovely French lady tour guide. I wonder where she is now?

[@christopherjames375]

It's hard 2 I.agine this went on till 1947 . 11 years b4 j was born.

[@renataostertag6051]

Until 1953 it seems !

[@joshuapetersen4960]

Wow this made me think so much much about life...I sat silent after.

[@lamanchamediatube]

Amazing thanks

[@rehimrehimov659]

I was 17 endless years behind barbed wires.I know what is it.It was very hard.

[@menyanggai]

wow i heard of this place and seen the 2017 movie but this documentary explain it better

[@lamanchamediatube]

Thanks so much

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

PLEASE watch the origional film NOT the remake .

[@ppgedez]

Why let the truth get in the way of a good story !! Really enjoyed this upload some great detail many thanks.

[@212Roger]

I have a butterfly tattooed on my chest too. 🦋 Papillon 🦋 My hero.

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

Im not tattooed but if i had one it would be that and on my hairy chest like Henri aka Papillon had.

[@chrisc4636]

This was cool video R.I.P PAPILLON.

[@lutondaddy6651]

Heroes were made here.

[@adriandesousa6385]

God is the greatest Architect 🤲🏽🙏🏽❤️🌹

[@petercarlsson6606]

Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@lamanchamediatube]

Glad you liked it!

[@bryangeake5826]

Excellent!!!

[@justinweathers3158]

Awesome work!! GREAT doc!!

[@RyanXXIII]

Very good documentary. And let's not ignore how beautiful that French girl is💕

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

YES indeed my thoughts also. She is cool.

[@douglaslucas7612]

I am soooo glad I got to visit and stay on the devil's islands in 1975, only 3 French legionaires and no development and artifacts lying about, it was the same way as when papillon had been there and I stayed in his rock house. No charge, freedom to stay as long as I wanted

[@13Pulgadas]

I've just found you folks LMM - i must say i am enamored. brilliant topics. great video. great job. please keep the content coming!

[@lamanchamediatube]

You will be happy to hear and I am first to announce a new three part film coming up this summer on three Portuguese islands off coast of Portugal and Africa. And thank you!

[@sanmatienterprises6282]

I have read book Exalant but I was waiting for lali and zorayama,s histri Make videos please

[@karthiks2574]

Nice vedio Very informative

[@lamanchamediatube]

Thanks!

[@johnj.2486]

good work!

[@harris-design]

What an incredible film! I know you have the music listed in the credits, but what song is playing for the last 4 minutes?

[@daves4365]

Found it! Always Smiling by Dexter Britain You have just have to be patient with the song but it is the one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmTLfoqeds6JlaM

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

I like the film as much as I like the book. Very rare that for its usually one or the other.

[@c.mendez426]

I always wonder were Papillon end his days.mmm at the grand café,venezuela.nice story.

[@lamanchamediatube]

The Gran cafe was not in any tour book or internet.. I got very lucky to meet a local who had contacts to find it! Tx!

[@christopherjames375]

No he died a throat cancer in 1977 . I think . Check the matte . Dippy bollocks .

[@miked1765]

christopher james In 1973 in Madrid Spain.

[@lutondaddy6651]

Shameful France shame on you has a nation say your sorry to all those poor souls son fathers mothers sisters and brothers shame on you always sending people here was a great crime against humanity ...god bless... them all

[@renataostertag6051]

There was no "mothers and sisters" imprisoned. Only male persons, meaning sons, fathers, brothers, husbands, lovers - OMG ! Imagine, one was the mother, wife, sister, etc. of a poor man like that ?! Many of the men were innocent on top of this ! Shame on France for doing this way passed the mid of the 20th century !! Barbaric beyond belief !

[@larrymhill]

Thank you. I enjoyed and learned from your work. Larry Medic Outpost

[@lamanchamediatube]

Thanks!

[@larrymhill]

@@lamanchamediatube I am not sure exactly what type of films etc...you do but iI am the founder of a very small nonprofit called Medic Outpost. We train and and equip remote first responders around the world. All volunteer and we work in Africa and Mexico. So interesting things going on. Yes, I plug I suppose. If you ever are curious. www.medicoutpost.org. Please don't judge the quality of the website. It's all on me. Be safe. Larry Hill

[@larrymhill]

Obviously, my proofreading skills are also in short supply. Apologies.

[@JalanAbraham-bu5lg]

classic

[@sashamean1254]

🧐🧐..This here!!!🧐🧐

[@MNnytrorider]

What song is played at the end. I see names in the credits but still can’t find it. Thanks. Great videos.

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

Yes it is a beautyful piece of music and has such a French feel to it.

[@mlgl9728]

Smiling by Britain

[@Decadent36]

Another great series. Highly unlikely the Gran Cafe is thriving as before given the current state of despair in Venezuela. Truly sad indeed.

[@lamanchamediatube]

Your surely right. This was filmed in 2013 before things got as bad as they are now. Thanks for your interest!

[@g00d-news]

great work!

[@douglaslucas7612]

When I visited in 1975, women we had to guard the women. French Guiana Suriname Paramaribo was no place for a woman. Men cleared out the dangers and built the town so now women are safe

[@harris-design]

What an incredible film! I know you have the music listed in the credits, but what song is playing for the last 3 minutes? PLEASE tell me.

[@renataostertag6051]

Why is it always only men that are sent to such places of hell ?! Why ?!

[@renataostertag6051]

@@Senior_Viajero I was talking about the men sent to penal colonies, not about war.

[@fitriani147]

hi i am from malaysia .. this story is very mentally testing a person if anyone is in his place .. anything can i know where can i buy a papillon book

[@toryal7510]

Evil 😈 human of state still they do the same cruelties. Sad story 😢

[@kevphillips02]

I hear a lot of conflicting information about his story and quite a bit was not true it seems?

[@fatimarodrigues6499]

Se tivesse legenda em Português...

[@kevphillips02]

Not sure I believe the story of the sharks hearing the bell .

[@dipampref4340]

Beautiful video, but the story is a farce, that is, Henri Charrière is a plagiarist!

[@ppgedez]

Why let the truth get in the way of a good story !!

[@Booker830]

He wasn't there .

[@douglaslucas7612]

It was a memory I haven't forgotten. 1975 , alone in devil's island, staying in papillons rock house. SEE below. WITH flint school aboard the Vega and teb quest

[@christopherjames375]

I VE SEEN THE REMAKE . ITS NOT A PATCH ON THE ORIGINAL . YOU DID NOT GET THE FEELING HE WAS BEING CHASED . THEY BOUGHT UP IRRELEVANT STUFF . stuff that needed to be mentioned was nt . not impressed .

[@zeppelin.1874_]

Papillon or Dry Guillotine - Papillon remake movie (2017) with Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek filmed in Montenegro, and I was part of it (the whole time of filming) and as The Executioner on the Guillotine...

[@jefffromclapham]

I enjoyed this film and loved seeing the places mentioned in the book. Shame you didn’t discuss the fact that Devil’s Island does not look like the place Papillon describes. I don’t have a problem with this great creativity but let’s not avoid the issue. Also the hysterical rubbish about the ‘suicidal Marxist cult’ locking up ‘entrepreneurs. An especially poor take as you’d just filmed inside the thriving cafe enterprise founded by Papillon.

[@lamanchamediatube]

Thanks. Also take a look at part I and ii if this doc for fullness of understanding the end

[@jefffromclapham]

Chavez wanted to give Angel falls an indigenous name NOT name them after himself.

[@reubensher8144]

Cant believe the French were so cruel....

[@douglaslucas7612]

You should have gone in 1975 to experience the REAL devil's island like I did. Now it's like going to Disney land and all those brightly dressed and talking tourist ruin it because when papillon was there FEW people, guards and quiet. So sorry your can't experience the real thing like I did

[@Heavilylowkey]

anytime there is cruel torture genocide and death or colonising the word FRENCH is always involved

[@mericesin83]

But Marxism and socialism are not that bad. Capitalism is worse.

[@colintraveller]

I lost count of how many times she went """Eh""" .... when telling what life was like .. it give me the feeling/impression that she isn't fully knowledgeable of what it was really like ..basically filling in the blanks ..

[@daniel213141]

She quite informative especially given that english is not her first language.

[@behindtheranges]

She is a great guide with good English. You, on the the other hand, are a waste of space.

[@colintraveller]

@@behindtheranges 1,2,3 AWWWWWWWWWWWWW You are clearly upset by my opinion ..

[@behindtheranges]

@@colintraveller 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@harris-design]

What an incredible film! I know you have the music listed in the credits, but what song is playing for the last 4 minutes?