Summary: Director Frederic Mitterand's acclaimed cinematic adaptation of Puccini's popular opera is the first filmed version to use both Western and Eastern actors. Presented by Martin Scorcese, this tragic tale of a love affair between a naive geisha and the American naval officer who deserts her and their young child is lushly photographed, with beautiful vocal performances from soprano Ying Huang and tenor Richard Troxell. Nominated for two French Cesar awards.

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Like the finest of film scores with its fluid beauty and succession of intensely romantic tunes, Puccini's opera Madame Butterflyhas a surprisingly cinematic feel. In 1995 director Frederic Mitterand exploited this quality of the story, exposing a young woman's disillusionment against a backdrop of cultural chasms. Shot on location, with Tunisia doubling convincingly as a turn of the century Nagasaki, this Butterflyshines with fragile beauty. The house becomes a brilliantly used set; airy and full of the scent of flowers and at the same time a cage for the trapped woman. Archive footage of bygone Nagasaki is used skilfully to underline the distance between the 15-year-old bride and Pinkerton.

Purists may prefer a more traditionally robust, stage-bound Butterfly, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a more visually heartbreaking interpretation. Chinese soprano Ying Huang doesn't rock the rafters with her vocal power; hers is a tender, delicately observed performance. Tenor Richard Troxton's self-seeking Pinkerton is well sung. Overall, this is a haunting cinematic treatment of an enduringly popular opera.

On the DVD:Madame Butterflyis presented in a letterbox widescreen format (enhanced for 16:9 widescreen televisions). The Dolby Digital surround soundtrack engulfs the listener in some of Puccini's most memorable tunes, stringing you out and leaving you emotionally spent. The main special feature is a charming portrait of Ying Huan, providing interesting insights into how the film was made and how she won the role. --Piers Ford

Aspect Ratio:	1.85 Wide Screen
Main Language:	Italian
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Featurette - 1. YING HUANG: Portrait of a Butterfly, Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Year:	1995
Release Date:	March 4, 2002
Runtime:	128 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	C D R 24673
Keywords:	Music, Opera, Butterfly, Wide, Screen, Works, Madame, Stage, Classical, Performing, Operetta, Arts
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts