Madame Butterfly Movie Review 1995

A French production, filmed in Tunisia, with a Chinese soprano, and Italian subtitles. Mitterrand takes on Puccini's opera, setting it in 1904 Nagasaki, but playing most of the story straight (he adds some documentary footage of old Japan between the acts). 15-year-old Butterfly (Huang) is a geisha who makes the mistake of falling in love and marrying deceitful American naval officer Pinkerton (Troxell). She's disowned by her family, he eventually sails away, and when he does return, it's with an American bride. Tragedy ensues. Newcomer Huang's fine but the handsome Troxell's a little stiff.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 129 minutes.
Originally from French.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Opera, Tearjerkers, Japan, Tragedy, Marriage, Period Piece: 1900s

Screenplay

Frederic Mitterrand

Cast

Ying Huang, Richard Troxell, Ning Liang, Richard Cowan

Cinematography

Philippe Welt

Director

Frederic Mitterrand

Producer

Films du Losange