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Butterfly

Play trailer Butterfly 2000 1h 19m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 15 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In 1997, Julia "Butterfly" Hill took up residence 180 feet up a redwood to prevent the Pacific Lumber Company from cutting down the 1,500-year-old tree. This documentary chronicles her unwavering determination to save the tree that she called "Luna." Initially uninvolved with any activist groups, Hill impressed several environmentalists with the strength of her conviction. Hill stayed in the redwood for 738 days, until the logging company promised to protect Luna and the surrounding trees.

Critics Reviews

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Lawrence Van Gelder New York Times 07/19/2001
2/5
While instructive on environmental concerns about the impact of logging, Butterfly does not reward those who seek dispassionate psychological insight into the zealous Ms. Hill. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/1800
3/4
The film's ending poses a hard question for the viewer: Would we behave more bravely than the characters on the screen do? We are fortunate to live in easy times. Go to Full Review Jules Brenner Cinema Signals 04/18/2011
3/4
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/22/2005
3/5
Christopher Null Filmcritic.com 05/08/2005
2.5/5
Eric D. Snider eFilmCritic.com 03/14/2005
B
It's a well-developed theme, and the excellent, bittersweet finale helps, but I can't shake the feeling that the film winds up being not nearly as deep as it wanted to be. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve S 11/12/2014 ***Due to the recent RT changes that have basically ruined my past reviews, I am mostly only giving a rating rather than a full review.*** See more Walter M @Harlequin68 01/07/2005 [font=Century Gothic][color=green] "Butterfly" is a documentary about Julia 'Butterfly' Hill who spent two brave years sitting high up in a tree to protest the clear cutting of California forests. Both sides of the argument are given - ranging from the environmental activists - who work in a collectivist organization and espouse non-violent civil disobedience - to the lumber company and the workers who are affected by the activists' actions. I especially liked the local police officer who was interviewed and explained where the law stood. The activists occasionally seem dopey but it is especially pleasant to hear messages of peace and love in this day and age. And yes, this should have been better but it is still an effective document of modern day activism. [/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#008000] But I was still disappointed that nobody mentioned Henry David Thoreau.[/color][/font] See more Read all reviews
Butterfly

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Cast & Crew

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Doug Wolens

Director

Doug Wolens

Producer
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Butterfly

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1997, Julia "Butterfly" Hill took up residence 180 feet up a redwood to prevent the Pacific Lumber Company from cutting down the 1,500-year-old tree. This documentary chronicles her unwavering determination to save the tree that she called "Luna." Initially uninvolved with any activist groups, Hill impressed several environmentalists with the strength of her conviction. Hill stayed in the redwood for 738 days, until the logging company promised to protect Luna and the surrounding trees.
Director
Doug Wolens
Producer
Doug Wolens
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 19m
Sound Mix
Stereo