M. Butterfly [Blu-ray]

Director: David Cronenberg David Cronenberg

Overview

David Cronenberg's cinematic intensity eviscerates this adaptation of David Henry Hwang's passionate stage production. Based on a true incident involving a French diplomat who carried on an affair for 18 years with a man the diplomat thought was a woman, M. Butterfly begins in 1964 Beijing when French foreign service employee Rene Gallimard (Jeremy Irons) becomes smitten with Chinese opera performer Song Liling (John Lone). Before long, Gallimard is enamored with Song, and they begin an inflamed affair -- bracketed by the stipulation that Gallimard will never be allowed to look upon her in a state of complete undress. Gallimard agrees to the rules, but, as he climbs up the diplomatic ladder, the communist government gets involved, corralling Song to become an informer for the government. When, at last, Gallimard's passion demands nudity, Song flees the relationship. Gallimard, pining for his lost love, then becomes a physical and mental wreck. He leaves China and accepts a two-bit diplomatic position, but then Song appears once again to Gallimard. At that point, Gallimard is arrested and, during the subsequent sensational trial for treason, his affair is exposed for the sham that it is.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/16/2021
UPC:	0826663219470
Original Release:	1993
Source:	Shout Factory
Language:	English
Sales rank:	20,893

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jeremy Irons	Rene Gallimard
John Lone	Song Liling
Barbara Sukowa	Jeanne Gallimard
Ian Richardson	Ambassador Toulon
Annabel Leventon	Frau Baden
Shizuko Hoshi	Comrade Chin
Richard McMillan	Embassy Colleague
Vernon Dobtcheff	Agent Etancelin
David Hemblen	Intelligence Officer #1
Damir Andrei	Intelligence Officer #2
Antony Parr	Intelligence Officer #3
Margaret Ma	Song's Maid
Tristram Jellinek	Defense Attorney
Philip McGough	Prosecution Attorney
David Neal	Judge
Sean Hewitt	Ambassador's Aide
Peter Messaline	Diplomat at Party
Michael Mehlman	Drunk in Paris Bar
Barbara Chilcott	Critic at Garden Party
George Jonas	Mall Trustee
Carl Zvonkin	Surveillance Technician
Viktor Fulop	Marshal
Cadman Chui	Accordian Player
Harriet Chung	Red Guard Dancer
Monica Gan	Red Guard Dancer
Ayumi Komoda	Red Guard Dancer
Tammy Lok	Red Guard Dancer
Tracey Oh	Red Guard Dancer
Carly Wong	Red Guard Dancer
Maria Teresa Uribe	Paris Opera Madama Butterfly
Deirdre Bowen	Actor
Howard Shore	Composer

Technical Credits

David Henry Hwang

David Cronenberg	Director
David Henry Hwang	Screenwriter,Executive Producer
Deirdre Bowen	Casting
Gabriella Martinelli	Producer
Philip Sandhaus	Executive Producer
Bela Unger	Stunts
Bryan Day	Sound/Sound Designer