Last week in our local paper there was a photo and a story of the surviving Mirabal sister. I read the story, thought it was awful about the sisters murder, but kind of blew off the article as: "old news", "get over it already". Today I turned on the TV and this movie was on. I wasn't going to watch the whole thing, but got to putzing around and got kind of into just watching it while I did other stuff. I thought it was taking place in Mexico until I heard the part about the Haitians and figured out it was Santo Domingo. It was 3/4 of the way through the movie before I figured out it was the sisters I had read about in the paper. What a profound moment for me. These women were real heroes and their story should be told. I felt like such a jerk. It was a real lesson for me: you should never "blow anyone off" until you have heard their story. If you take the time, you may come to like and, maybe, even admire them. And you may learn something about them and yourself. No wonder their sister never stops telling their story.
38 Reviews
Telling of a Very sad Tale But Good Movie
nicholls_les6 July 2017
This is a very good and in my opinion underrated movie.
Edward James Olmos at his best as he portrays the evil Trujillo a man who like Hitler became more evil as he got more power. He was a sexual sadist with a preference for young Mulatto girls which is how we get to the story in this movie.
The movie follows mainly Salma Hayek's character and her naivety until she realizes what Trujillo is really like.
The Mirabal sisters' assassination at the very end is sad but at least we are not shown the gory details.
One of Salma Hayeks best movies and I wish she did more like this instead of movies that exploited her looks and body. She is a very intelligent women and a good actress as this and the film Frida shows her to be.
Edward James Olmos at his best as he portrays the evil Trujillo a man who like Hitler became more evil as he got more power. He was a sexual sadist with a preference for young Mulatto girls which is how we get to the story in this movie.
The movie follows mainly Salma Hayek's character and her naivety until she realizes what Trujillo is really like.
The Mirabal sisters' assassination at the very end is sad but at least we are not shown the gory details.
One of Salma Hayeks best movies and I wish she did more like this instead of movies that exploited her looks and body. She is a very intelligent women and a good actress as this and the film Frida shows her to be.
This movie is a movie that i will probably never forget
uboy_corey24 March 2006
So many things to say about this amazing movie. This has to be one of the saddest movies i have ever watched and the really sad part about it is that this is all true, Rafael Trujillo really existed and he really did most of the things shown in the movie. I think that this movie really brings out how it must have been when he ruled, his power, his fortune and the peoples attitude towards his rule. I would liked to have seen a little more of how badly he treated black people as I myself am a black person. I Think the role of Rafael Trujillo was portrayed well by the actor who played his role, actually I think he brought him out a little too well. After the movie I was left wondering if he was that inhumane.
great story, beautiful women
Sleepy-1723 October 2001
Three sisters fight the evil Trujillo in this well-mounted mini-epic. Great acting somewhat marred by predictable dialogue, but the story works anyway. The women are gorgeous and sincere. James Olmos plays the three-dimensional lusty Trujillo. Good location photography in Mexico. Could have used more explanation of the politics.
There was more that they could have discussed.
lee_eisenberg24 February 2006
In case you've never heard of Rafael Trujillo, he seized power in the Dominican Republic in a 1930 coup, and ruled the country through terror, torture, and assassination over the next thirty years. "In the Time of the Butterflies" portrays the Mirabal sisters, who sought to overthrow him. The movie did a worthy job looking at their lives, although it could have gone into life under Trujillo's regime a little more. Salma Hayek plays Minerva Mirabal and Edward James Olmos plays Trujillo.
Another interesting thing about Trujillo was that, although the US gladly propped him up for so many years, the CIA ended up assassinating him. You see, Trujillo had - like Manuel Noriega and Saddam Hussein - been using his position to enrich himself rather than the US. So, the CIA assassinated him in 1961. For further information, read "The CIA's Greatest Hits" by Mark Zepezauer.
Another interesting thing about Trujillo was that, although the US gladly propped him up for so many years, the CIA ended up assassinating him. You see, Trujillo had - like Manuel Noriega and Saddam Hussein - been using his position to enrich himself rather than the US. So, the CIA assassinated him in 1961. For further information, read "The CIA's Greatest Hits" by Mark Zepezauer.
a good movie, this kind of thing still happen. this is why the movie is like a classic available every time and everywhere
kvdjitrinou13 March 2006
this is a movie we should recommend to activist, women and even children. It unfortunately reminds us that although the story happened more than thirty years ago, it is not an exception today. It also teaches us that in the situation describes in the movie, something needs to be done, it needs to start somewhere and by somebody. There is a kind of realism which can explain many weaknesses in terms of security rules and exposure of the family. it is understandable because the fight started from a personal/family frustration in front of the abuse of the dictator. It is also possible that more could have been said on the revolutionary aspects of the story. All in all, let's forget all the possible imperfections and enjoy the movie as the celebration of courage and strong determination to fight injustice and human rights violations.let's see the movie as the symbol of the fight for violence against women particularly and fight against any kind of violence and abuse of power. I absolutely recommend it to everybody and will make sure that all my friends watch it . I will buy the book to have more insights of the story.
This movie was a OK movie
kyla-j-breed00124 March 2006
The movie In The Time of the Butterflies was a inspiring movie for young women. It shows you that you don't step down from something that you know is right and just because someone tells you too. This movie also shows you how Trujillo ruled over the Dominican republic for thirty years. I would like to see more of his rulings and understand how the people of that time went through.even though Trujillo was wrong the Maribal sisters stood up for there rights,beliefs,and fought for justices till there deaths.
I believe that if you take the strength of the Maribal sisters you would understand that it is OK for you to stand up for what you believe in.
I believe that if you take the strength of the Maribal sisters you would understand that it is OK for you to stand up for what you believe in.
OK look at a revolution
themarina130 November 2003
Minerva Mirabal
ABRAXAX10 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Patria Mercedes Mirabal (February 27, 1924 November 25, 1960), Maria Argentina Minerva Mirabal (March 12, 1926 November 25, 1960) and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal (October 15, 1935 November 25, 1960) were natives of the Dominican Republic who fervently opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. The second eldest, Bélgica Adela "Dedé" Mirabal-Reyes , was not assassinated the day her sisters were. As of 2007, she currently lives in Hermanas Mirabal (formerly Salcedo), Dominican Republic. She precedes in the sisters' natal house and works to preserve her sisters' memory through the "Museo Hermanas Mirabal" which is also located in Salcedo and was home to the girls for the final ten months of their lives).
The Mirabal women grew up in an upper class, well-cultured environment. All became married family women. The father of the Mirabal sisters was a successful businessman. When Trujillo came to power, their family lost almost all of their fortune. They believed that Trujillo would send their country into economic chaos. Minerva became particularly passionate about ending the dictatorship of Trujillo after talking extensively with an uncle of hers. Influenced by her uncle, Minerva became more involved in the anti-Trujillo movement. Minerva studied law and became a lawyer, but because she did not permit Trujillo romantic advancements, he ordered that she was not to receive her degree. Her sisters followed suit, and they eventually formed a group of opponents to the Trujillo regime, known as the Movement of the Fourteenth of June. Inside that group, they were known as "The Butterflies" (Las Mariposas in Spanish). They are known as Las Mariposas because that was the underground name that Minerva was recognized as in political dealings. Two of the sisters were incarcerated and tortured on several occasions. Three of the sisters' husbands were incarcerated at La Victoria Penitentiary in Santo Domingo.
Despite these setbacks, they persisted in fighting to try to end Trujillo's dictatorship. After the sisters' numerous imprisonments, Trujillo decided to get rid of the sisters. On November 25, 1960, he sent men to intercept the three women after the women had visited their husbands in prison. The unarmed sisters were led into a sugarcane field, then beaten and strangled to death. Their car was later thrown off of a mountain known as La Cumbre, between the cities of Santiago and Puerto Plata.
Trujillo believed at the time that he had removed a significant problem. Having the three sisters killed backfired, however: the deaths of the Mirabal sisters caused a general public outrage throughout their native country. The resultant publicity of the deaths caused the Dominican Republic to become more interested in the Mirabal sisters and their cause. This public support and awareness contributed to Trujillo's assassination six months later in 1961.
The Mirabal sisters were buried in Ojo of Agua, an area outside the city of Salcedo in Salcedo Province, on the property of their second home where they lived the last ten months of their lives. This home has also been turned into a museum in their honor and is open to the public. There is also a library, bookstore, and souvenir shop located on the property. The three sisters are buried together, and Manolo, Minerva's husband, is also buried with them.
The surviving sister, Dedé, lives near the museum. One of her sons, Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, served as the vice-president during Leonel Fernández's first term as president of the republic between the years of 1996 and 2000. Minou Tavarez Mirabal, the eldest daughter of Minerva Mirabal has served as a Congresswoman since 1998 until 2006, and has recently been reelected for four additional years (until 2010
The Mirabal women grew up in an upper class, well-cultured environment. All became married family women. The father of the Mirabal sisters was a successful businessman. When Trujillo came to power, their family lost almost all of their fortune. They believed that Trujillo would send their country into economic chaos. Minerva became particularly passionate about ending the dictatorship of Trujillo after talking extensively with an uncle of hers. Influenced by her uncle, Minerva became more involved in the anti-Trujillo movement. Minerva studied law and became a lawyer, but because she did not permit Trujillo romantic advancements, he ordered that she was not to receive her degree. Her sisters followed suit, and they eventually formed a group of opponents to the Trujillo regime, known as the Movement of the Fourteenth of June. Inside that group, they were known as "The Butterflies" (Las Mariposas in Spanish). They are known as Las Mariposas because that was the underground name that Minerva was recognized as in political dealings. Two of the sisters were incarcerated and tortured on several occasions. Three of the sisters' husbands were incarcerated at La Victoria Penitentiary in Santo Domingo.
Despite these setbacks, they persisted in fighting to try to end Trujillo's dictatorship. After the sisters' numerous imprisonments, Trujillo decided to get rid of the sisters. On November 25, 1960, he sent men to intercept the three women after the women had visited their husbands in prison. The unarmed sisters were led into a sugarcane field, then beaten and strangled to death. Their car was later thrown off of a mountain known as La Cumbre, between the cities of Santiago and Puerto Plata.
Trujillo believed at the time that he had removed a significant problem. Having the three sisters killed backfired, however: the deaths of the Mirabal sisters caused a general public outrage throughout their native country. The resultant publicity of the deaths caused the Dominican Republic to become more interested in the Mirabal sisters and their cause. This public support and awareness contributed to Trujillo's assassination six months later in 1961.
The Mirabal sisters were buried in Ojo of Agua, an area outside the city of Salcedo in Salcedo Province, on the property of their second home where they lived the last ten months of their lives. This home has also been turned into a museum in their honor and is open to the public. There is also a library, bookstore, and souvenir shop located on the property. The three sisters are buried together, and Manolo, Minerva's husband, is also buried with them.
The surviving sister, Dedé, lives near the museum. One of her sons, Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, served as the vice-president during Leonel Fernández's first term as president of the republic between the years of 1996 and 2000. Minou Tavarez Mirabal, the eldest daughter of Minerva Mirabal has served as a Congresswoman since 1998 until 2006, and has recently been reelected for four additional years (until 2010
The movie was had a very excellent scene play.
quentara-s-johnson00124 March 2006
The movie In The Time Of The Butterfly was an excellent movie, I really enjoyed the fact that three women, sisters at that were able to stand out and speak up about how their dictator Rafel Trujillo was treating women in the Dominican Republic. Rafel Trujillo was a strict dictator who was cruel to his citizens.
At the end the three sisters were killed because Rafel Trujillo but a hit out on them. I wanted yto cry because women had no respect after what they had done. Then Rafel Trujillo was killed afterwards by some men on a empty road. You should try to take the time out and enjoy the movie.
At the end the three sisters were killed because Rafel Trujillo but a hit out on them. I wanted yto cry because women had no respect after what they had done. Then Rafel Trujillo was killed afterwards by some men on a empty road. You should try to take the time out and enjoy the movie.
Melodramatic, bland, and unconvincing
=G=25 October 2001
"Butterflies", the code name for three sisters and underground resistance conspirators in the Dominican Republic during the dictatorial Trujillo regime, bounds through time like a mediocre biopic taking pause at moments obviously designed to evoke emotion rather than infusing a sense of reality. Although an okay shoot technically, the film tries to do too much, doesn't give any real sense of Dominican history, and comes off like a soapy evil dictator vs three babes who even manage to find lip rouge in prison. Melodrama not for realists which attempts to connect the three sibs with Trujillo's assassination by association as opposed to fact. A poor testament to three martyrs.
Powerful
rps-227 December 2002
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.
Story worth to be told but could have been better.
deloudelouvain22 December 2020
I never heard of the Mirabel sisters before, I do now and I agree it"s a story that has to be told. That said for a movie based on true events it could and should have been better. The story feels a bit bland and could have used some more explanations in every domain, the political agenda, the family background and so on are unexploited, or at least not enough. The movie is watchable though but it misses something to make it very good. The acting was good and that from the whole cast. Salma Hayek is always nice to watch. I don't regret watching it as I learned something I didn't knew before, but it's just going to be a one time viewing for me.
Lies, Lies, Lies
jamonesserranos3 January 2009
In general, the movie was a total disappointment, and more disappointing when you are a Dominican person, that although was not present, has learned so much about it.
*Worst Points:
a.) Most of the Dominican population is Mulatto, although blacks and whites predominate. The people that predominate in the movie are Mexicans, and although I have nothing against them, that cannot be acceptable.
b.) The script was kind of corny and romantic, and the story is more horrifying than anything else, and the movie writers leave aside that part of the history where the real action occurs to put romantic stuff.
c.) The movie focuses more on Minerva Mirabal than on the other two sisters. Although is true that Minerva was essential and the one that attracted the rest of the sisters, they cannot leave aside Maria Teresa and Patria to concentrate more on Minerva's life.
d.) The investigation had to be more deep. If they talk about a specific place, in this case Dominican Republic, they have to investigate more about the system DR had (way of life, transportation, economics, culture etc.) but had to be more deep and specific. They had to focus more on the Mirabal's daily life. What did this family do? How did they get along? e.) The other part of the investigation (Trujillo's government), was full of mistakes.
e.) The horror Trujillo caused among the population should've been more shown. Trujillo is shown as being too easy-going. Well, not easy-going, but compared to what Trujillo did, the movie showed him very light.
f.) The technical part is horrible and several actors did a mediocre performance, with lack of realism. They seemed to be very soap-opera. Actors should've researched a bit more about their characters.
g.) No one on DR would dare to disrespect physically or verbally Trujillo or his family. The movie showed that several times. Although I had to admit Minerva had a lot of courage and defended herself very well, but not to the level that the movie shows.
*Worst Points:
a.) Most of the Dominican population is Mulatto, although blacks and whites predominate. The people that predominate in the movie are Mexicans, and although I have nothing against them, that cannot be acceptable.
b.) The script was kind of corny and romantic, and the story is more horrifying than anything else, and the movie writers leave aside that part of the history where the real action occurs to put romantic stuff.
c.) The movie focuses more on Minerva Mirabal than on the other two sisters. Although is true that Minerva was essential and the one that attracted the rest of the sisters, they cannot leave aside Maria Teresa and Patria to concentrate more on Minerva's life.
d.) The investigation had to be more deep. If they talk about a specific place, in this case Dominican Republic, they have to investigate more about the system DR had (way of life, transportation, economics, culture etc.) but had to be more deep and specific. They had to focus more on the Mirabal's daily life. What did this family do? How did they get along? e.) The other part of the investigation (Trujillo's government), was full of mistakes.
e.) The horror Trujillo caused among the population should've been more shown. Trujillo is shown as being too easy-going. Well, not easy-going, but compared to what Trujillo did, the movie showed him very light.
f.) The technical part is horrible and several actors did a mediocre performance, with lack of realism. They seemed to be very soap-opera. Actors should've researched a bit more about their characters.
g.) No one on DR would dare to disrespect physically or verbally Trujillo or his family. The movie showed that several times. Although I had to admit Minerva had a lot of courage and defended herself very well, but not to the level that the movie shows.
An authentically depicted story of rare courage
dwighthobbes724 February 2004
This story about the Mirabal sisters who, in 1960, were murdered for resisting tyranny is a remarkable film. The acting, directing and writing excellent.
Importantly, the cast was not Anglicized. Unlike, say, The Mask of Zorro, which is set in Spain but has Antonio Banderas as the only Hispanic actor in a lead role, this film opts for authenticity from top to bottom. Which serves a sign of respect for the powerful, compelling drama that is rendered.
Importantly, the cast was not Anglicized. Unlike, say, The Mask of Zorro, which is set in Spain but has Antonio Banderas as the only Hispanic actor in a lead role, this film opts for authenticity from top to bottom. Which serves a sign of respect for the powerful, compelling drama that is rendered.
Terrible movie
paulino0286330 December 2020
A bit of a history lesson?
sildarmillion23 September 2019
I didn't know anything about General Trujillo or the Mirabal sisters, so this movie certainly served as a history lesson for me. Of course, I know parts of the movie are likely fictionalized. Although as far as I can see from Wikipedia, there were no major changes. I thought maybe the movie would slow and a bit of a drag like your typical sob story. But it wasn't. I found myself thoroughly engrossed and for the most part it was inspiring and the end (which I will not spoil here but those who know the history will know what happens) felt completely unexpected. But that's probably how it felt to the sisters too. My one impression had been that there was a slight tendency for the movie to be sentimental and paint things in black and white without nuance, but I can't really judge that without really knowing the history.
In the Time of the Salma
elcopy12 December 2006
Many good books have been written about the brutal regime of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. Check Edwidge Danticat's "The Farming of Bones" and Mario Vargas Llosa's brutal "Feast of the Goat" (also turned into a horrible movie). "In the time of the Butterflies" is one of the most successful commercially which is perhaps the reason Salma Hayek saw it as a star vehicle that preceded Frida.
With a budget no higher than a telenovela, the movie focuses on Salma and tries to become a manipulative story of a strong Latina, but ends up becoming a "Like Water for Chocolate" wannabe with no real direction. And as history goes, I don't think a movie with a mostly Mexican cast, speaking English and playing Dominicans is taking history too seriously.
With a budget no higher than a telenovela, the movie focuses on Salma and tries to become a manipulative story of a strong Latina, but ends up becoming a "Like Water for Chocolate" wannabe with no real direction. And as history goes, I don't think a movie with a mostly Mexican cast, speaking English and playing Dominicans is taking history too seriously.
good political awareness raiser
pete-2911 May 2002
This is a good film for simply raising awareness of this slice of West Indian history. I was reminded of the Soviet classic "I am Cuba". I wasn't aware that similar revolutionary circumstances existed in the Dominican Republic, but it makes sense that they did. The film leaves one outraged that these right-wing regimes were ever permitted to flourish in the western hemisphere, and brings home the fact that real democracy and revolutionary socialism are essentially the same thing.
This page is wrong on the location part
maritahrodriguez22 October 2012
This film was filmed in the Dominican Republic you can even see it in the movie the artifacts and the people. This film was filmed in the, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC in Santiago and also near where the sisters died. I absolutely love the movie its missing a lot more to the history things that Trujillo did, his plans to assassinate the president of Colombia and other countries as well. I love how they each look like the Mirabal sisters. Salma Hayek did an amazing job and this was how i first knew about her from acting in this movie. I didn't know that there was still one more Mirabal sister alive the youngest i believe and shes maintaining and taking care of the town they group up in and there gardin they played in when they were little. Giving the other kids knowledge of there History. They made a video Documentary of her and her life now after all these years. I love Dominican Republic and all of my people i think the biggest issue in DR is Haitian Immigration. Its gotten out of hand i hope it gets better in the future. I love you DR. RIP Mirabal sisters QUE VIVA LAS MARIPOSAS!
compelling history done blandly
SnoopyStyle22 February 2016
General Rafael Leónidas Trujillo rules Dominican Republic from 1930 to 1961 with an iron fist. Minerva Mirabal (Salma Hayek) and her three sisters grew up on the farm. At school, Minerva catches the eye of Trujillo (Edward James Olmos). She starts to see injustices and wants to attend law school despite being forbidden for women. She falls for revolutionary Lio who escaped the country and called her butterfly. Minerva struggles against the attention of Trujillo and gains entrance into law school. After Lio's murder, she joins the resistance and Manolo Tavárez (Demian Bichir).
I'm very sure that this is a compelling historical story. The problem is that it's done without any tension or suspense. Hayek is too old to play the younger Minerva. It's hard for her to play naive and innocent. The director doesn't have the style and the story is written blandly.
I'm very sure that this is a compelling historical story. The problem is that it's done without any tension or suspense. Hayek is too old to play the younger Minerva. It's hard for her to play naive and innocent. The director doesn't have the style and the story is written blandly.
powerful movie, yet disturbing.
healingdays16 October 2002
I had the most difficult time trying to rate this movie over all the rest on the one to ten scale, 'cause its just not that kind of movie. Knowing, now that the movie is based on a true story makes it a film I think everyone should see to help expand their awareness, however, be prepared, the movie starts out pleasantly romantic and turns into a complete nightmare of horrifying events. It is at the least, disturbing.
One of the worst movies ever!
EdwardVI18 August 2009
Seems like it was written by someone without film schooling, or even kidergarten education. It has the need to remind us of how bad was Trujillo in every moment of the picture: No imagination, no intelligence, an insult to any educated viewer.
The acting is poor, someone even confused Marc Anthony with an actor, a recognized actress like Lumi Cavazos (Like Water for Chocolate) was given aproximately four lines in the entire movie, characters are non-existent, a butterfly would have more depth.
A portrayal of the horrors of that era deserves an infinitely better film.
The acting is poor, someone even confused Marc Anthony with an actor, a recognized actress like Lumi Cavazos (Like Water for Chocolate) was given aproximately four lines in the entire movie, characters are non-existent, a butterfly would have more depth.
A portrayal of the horrors of that era deserves an infinitely better film.
Very Disappointed
neowhere4ever10 January 2004
This movie was poorly made. The story was plane and dull. I have noticed in the past that even if the story is lacking, the direction of the movie came bring it out more; however the director of this movie did not. I'd have to agree with another post on the casting of indigenous people. The movie was filmed in Mexico and almost everyone in the movie was Mexican. One could joke and say, "I didn't know there were that many Mexicans in DR." I'd say its more like, since the Dominicans are either black, white, or somewhere in between (mulattoes)...To have native Indians of AZTEC decent acting as Dominicans in a movie about the regime of Trujillo is as far off as having Japanese people acting as Germans in the regime of Hitler. The story focused too much on Minerva and no one else. This mistake was also very apparent. It is a good real life event in our history that we should know more about. I've noticed that many people who are not Dominican don't know of Trujillo and the horrors he brought to the DR. Someone should really consider making another movie about Minerva and her sisters with a more accurate representation.
IT was the best movie ever
nicole-a-brooks00124 March 2006
This was a great movie. It taught me about struggles that people other than African Americans went through. It taught me about how i should appreciate my country and my freedom.This movie is the best movie i have yet to see. The actors were great and the movie kept me wanting to see more.This movie showed how greed,power,and money can affect a country.This movie is showed me that lots of people from all over the world went through some hard times. The Dominican republic never gained a strong government and thats why Americans should be grateful that we have a not great but good government and freedom of speech. I could not imagine having to live through the things they lived through. Even though the movies was not filmed in the Dominican Repubic or filmed with Dominicans it doesn't matter. Where it was made or who made it doesn't matter the fact is the story was told and the movie was made.
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