Madame Butterfly

Released May 3, 1995

2h 15m

Romance

List

70%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

78%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

U.S. military officer Pinkerton (Richard Troxell) falls for Cio-Cio-San (Ying Huang), a geisha known as "Butterfly," in early 20th-century Japan. Having learned he can wed the teen and then have the union dissolved by simply leaving the country, Pinkerton marries the girl. Despite his callousness, Butterfly falls for Pinkerton, and, after he leaves for America, she gives birth to his child. In this take on Puccini's opera, Butterfly will learn stunning news upon her reunion with Pinkerton.

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Russell Smith

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

As a treatment of the story, as an evocation of the emotions of love and the wound of betrayal, it is close to Puccini's intentions, and very moving.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 11, 2005

Full Review

Andy Klein

Los Angeles CityBeat

Rated: 4/5

Jun 19, 2004

Full Review

Bill Thompson

Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)

Rated: 2/5

Feb 12, 2003

Full Review

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Liam D

Combing feudal japan and the Italian language is sometimes a tedious but fascinating watch

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/26/22

Full Review

andy h

Despite its problematic elements, it's quite a cinematic experience you will never find before or after witnessing this tragedy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a great movie based on a famous opera Madame butterfly. This movie was made in Tunisia according to Wikipeia.It looked like real Japan. i am from Japan.There was nothing strange. Everything looked like real Japan. Why madam butterfly is still popular. We love the music.Sadly, I can't sing the songs. The music was not written in Japanese.It was written in Italian.Great exotic and simple story.We can't laugh.We have to cry. I am from Japan. I really want to promote this great story in Japan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

(*** 1/2): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] An unique and fascinating piece of work.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An excellent movie adaptation of this clasical Puccini's opera.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Sweeping scenery and impressive performance make this already stellar opera a joy to watch on the big screen. I can't say the opera really benefited from being adapted to film, but I found it as captivating as the live performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Frédéric Mitterrand

Director

Ying Huang

Cio-Cio-San

Richard Troxell

Pinkerton

Ning Liang

Suzuki

Richard Cowan

Sharpless

Jing Ma Fan

Goro

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Synopsis

U.S. military officer Pinkerton (Richard Troxell) falls for Cio-Cio-San (Ying Huang), a geisha known as "Butterfly," in early 20th-century Japan. Having learned he can wed the teen and then have the union dissolved by simply leaving the country, Pinkerton marries the girl. Despite his callousness, Butterfly falls for Pinkerton, and, after he leaves for America, she gives birth to his child. In this take on Puccini's opera, Butterfly will learn stunning news upon her reunion with Pinkerton.

Director: Frédéric Mitterrand
Screenwriter: Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica, Frédéric Mitterrand
Distributor: Public Broadcasting Service, Arrow Releasing Inc.
Production Co: Sony Pictures Classics
Genre: Romance
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): May 3, 1995, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jul 7, 2015
Runtime: 2h 15m
Sound Mix: Surround