In the Time of the Butterflies (TV 2001)

In the Time of the Butterflies is inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who, in 1960, were murdered for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government.

Director:

Mariano Barroso

Writers:

Julia Álvarez (novel), Judy Klass (teleplay),

Stars:

Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos, Mía Maestro

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Salma Hayek	...	Minerva
Edward James Olmos	...	Trujillo
Mía Maestro	...	Mate
Demián Bichir	...	Manolo
Pilar Padilla	...	Dede
Lumi Cavazos	...	Patria
Marc Anthony	...	Lio
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.	...	Captain Pena (as Pedro Armendariz Marquez)
Ana Martín	...	Mama
Fernando Becerril	...	Enrique Mirabal
Anthony Alvarez	...	Palomino
Ermahn Ospina	...	Jaimito
Raúl Méndez	...	Pedrito
Mariana Sánchez	...	Minerva 13 Years Old (as Mariana Sanchez)
Géraldine Bazán	...	Patria 15 Years Old (as Geraldine Bazan)

Storyline

On November 25, 1960, the bodies of three sisters were found near the bottom of a cliff on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The official daily 'El Caribe' reports that it had been an accident, but it does not mention that a fourth sister lives. Nor does it mention the sisters' fierce opposition to the General Trujillo's dictatorship. This is their story: how Minerva started the tragedy by refusing Trujillo; how Patria became an opponent from the church itself; how Maria Teresa joined the revolution through the love. And how they lost their wings, but not their courage. They were Las Mariposas - "The Butterflies".

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Plot Keywords:

butterfly | 1960s | dominican republic | dictatorship | government | 

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Taglines:

Women had their place. Hers was in the revolution.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense scenes of violence

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 August 2004 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

En el tiempo de las mariposas

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Showtime Networks, Ventanarosa Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming ended on the 40th anniversary of the Mirabal sisters' assassination.

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Goofs

When Leo enters the chicken coop to talk to Minerva he leaves the door slightly ajar. When he makes to leave the coop, the door is wide open.

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Connections

Referenced in Vecinos: La pareja de ventas (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Que Merengue"
Written by George Hernandez
Performed by Orquestra Tropicana
Courtesy Tropicana Records/Hall of Fame Music

User Reviews

Powerful

With so much horror loose in this century, we forget some of the recent horrors of the last. Few people who vacation in the Dominican Republic today are aware of the brutal regime which flourished there --- like a poisonous tropical flower --- until recent times. This is a splendid depiction of it and of the struggle to overthrow it. Surprisingly there is no reference to the United States' shameful support of Trujillo or to the Castro revolution in nearby Cuba. I also wonder why it was filmed in Mexico rather than the Dominican Republic itself. But no matter. It is a gripping and thoughtful piece of cinema.