Japan, 1902. The outskirts of Nagasaki.
The ceilings and walls...
...all slide, giving the house...
...a different look,
depending on your mood.
Where's the love nest?
Here, or there.
Like a false-bottomed box!
The living room?
Outdoors?
A sliding screen.
I see.
-And this one--
-On runners.
It's a house of cards.
Solid as a fortress...
...from top to bottom.
It would fold in the breeze.
This is the maid...
...your bride's loving servant.
The cook.
The butler.
They feel unworthy
of such an honour.
Their names?
Miss Delicate Cloud.
Light of Dawn.
Breath of Scent.
His Honour smiles?
As the wise Okunama said,
"A smile can banish care...
...release the oyster's pearl...
...and open Heaven's gate.
A smile is the perfume of the gods,
the fountain of youth."
How that woman chatters.
What are you looking for?
Your bride.
Is everything ready?
You're a gem of a matchmaker.
The guest list:
the registry official...
...her family, your consul...
...and, of course, your bride.
Once the contract's signed,
the marriage is done.
Does she have a large family?
The mother, the grandmother,
her uncle the priest--
--who won't honour us
by his presence--
--the cousins...
...the in-laws and their families.
Let's say a couple dozen.
As for descendants...
...that depends on Your Honour...
...and the beautiful Butterfly.
You're a gem of a matchmaker.
I'm sweating
like a mountain climber.
It's the consul.
Oh, the climb! I'm exhausted!
Welcome.
Quick, Goro, something to drink.
-So high!
-But so beautiful!
Nagasaki, the sea...
...the port.
And a house I can change
with a wave of a wand.
It's yours?
I've leased it for years...
...but I can still back out anytime.
In this country...
...houses and contracts are flexible.
A man of the world manages.
Of course!
Around the world...
...the roving Yankee...
...mixes business and pleasure.
He laughs at risk...
...weighs anchor wherever--
Care for a drink?
--wherever he happens to be.
Until one day a storm...
...tangles his sails and rigging.
Life's not worth living...
...unless he can pick the flowers
on every shore...
That's an easy philosophy.
...and love a girl in every port.
An easy philosophy...
...that makes life a delight...
...but leaves the heart cold.
lf he's rejected...
...he plunges right in again...
...and finds somewhere else...
...to pursue the good life.
And so I'll marry by Japanese law...
...for years...
...and I can still back out anytime.
An easy philosophy.
"America forever!"
Is the bride pretty?
Like a garland of fresh flowers.
A beam of golden starlight.
For nothing! Only yen.
lf Your Grace is so inclined...
...I have a fine selection.
Go bring her in, Goro.
What's gotten into you?
Are you really in love?
Who knows?
Either in love or insane.
It may be just an infatuation.
She's enchanted me
with her innocent charms.
She's as fragile as blown glass...
...so tiny and dainty...
...like a figure on a painted screen.
Then suddenly she leaves
her varnished perch...
...and, like a butterfly...
...flutters away, alighting...
...with such quiet grace...
...that I get a wild urge...
...to chase her...
...even at the risk
of snapping off her wings.
She came by the consulate
the other day.
I didn't see her,
but I heard her speak.
Something in her voice touched me.
That's the way love sounds...
...when it is sincere.
It would be a terrible sin...
...to break those frail wings...
...or crush that trusting heart.
My dear consul...
...you've become sentimental...
...in your old age.
There's nothing wrong...
...with wanting to teach
those wings...
...the sweet flights of love.
Here's to your family far away.
And to the day I marry...
...a real American wife.
They're here.
You can hear the women chatter
like wind in the leaves.
So much sky! So much sea!
Just a few more steps.
-You're so slow!
-Wait!
There! We've reached the top.
Look at all the flowers!
A spring breeze...
...floats across the sea...
...and I'm the happiest girl in Japan.
No, in the world.
Love is calling, and I've come...
...to the place...
...that divides mere existence...
...from true bliss.
Here we are.
Here he is.
May good fortune be yours.
Our respects.
Was the climb very tiring?
For a well brought up bride...
...not as hard
as the hours of waiting.
What a splendid compliment!
I know even lovelier ones.
These women are unique!
lf you'd like to hear some now--
Miss Butterfly.
A lovely name...
...and so appropriate.
Are you from Nagasaki?
I am, sir.
My family was wealthy once.
Isn't that so?
That's so.
No one admits to being born poor.
Every beggar will claim high birth.
I have known wealth...
...but the typhoon can uproot
even the strongest oak.
We worked as geishas to survive.
Isn't that true?
I'm not ashamed.
You laugh?
Why?
Life is like that.
She's like a porcelain doll.
She sets me on fire.
Do you have any sisters?
No, sir.
I have only my mother.
A most noble lady.
But very poor.
And your father?
Dead.
How old are you?
Guess.
-Ten.
-Try higher.
-Twenty.
-Try lower.
Fifteen exactly.
I'm already old.
Fifteen years old!
-An age for toys.
-And candies.
The high commissioner...
...the registry official, the couple.
Let's get it done.
What a farce, this parade...
...of my new relatives...
...my temporary family.
-Where is he?
-There.
That must be my mother-in-law...
...behind that purple veil.
-Goro offered him to me first.
-I'm sure of that.
There's the drunken uncle.
-Look, her beauty's already fading.
-He'll divorce her.
I hope so!
Be quiet! Don't be rude!
Where's the wine?
Some is crimson...
...some the colour of tea.
For goodness' sake, be quiet!
Oh, my lucky friend!
She's a flower in bloom.
Her exotic fragrance
makes my head spin.
I've never seen such a lovely girl.
This marriage is a game to you.
Be careful!
She believes all this.
Mother, come here!
Do as I say.
Everybody ready?
One, two, three.
Come here, my love.
Do you like our little house?
Forgive me.
I've brought a few woman's things.
-And where are they?
-Right here.
You don't mind?
Why should l,
my beautiful Butterfly?
Handkerchiefs.
A pipe, a sash.
A little brooch.
A mirror.
A fan.
-What's that little jar?
-Some rouge.
-For shame.
-You don't like it?
Then away with it!
And that?
Something sacred to me.
Can I see it?
We're being watched.
Forgive me.
It was the mikado
who gave it to her father...
...who suggested....
And her father?
He obeyed.
The hotoke.
What do you call these dolls?
They are my ancestors' souls.
My respects.
Yesterday I went...
...secretly to the mission.
With my new life...
...I can adopt a new religion.
My uncle the priest doesn't know...
...nor does the rest of my family.
I'll follow my destiny...
...and bow humbly...
...to Mr. Pinkerton's god.
It is my destiny.
Kneeling beside you...
...in the same little church...
... I'll pray to the same god.
And to make you happy...
... I'll try to forget my people.
My love!
Silence, please!
I hereby authorize...
...Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton...
...Lieutenant stationed
on the gunboat Lincoln...
...of the United States Navy,
North America...
...and Miss Butterfly...
...of the Omara section of Nagasaki...
...to join in matrimony...
...the former by his own will...
...the latter, with the permission
of her family...
...who are here as witnesses.
The bridegroom.
Now, the bride.
And everything's done.
Madame Butterfly.
Madame B.F. Pinkerton.
My best wishes.
Many thanks.
Is the consul going back down?
I'll go with you.
See you tomorrow.
Fine.
Many children!
I'll try.
Remember!
Now, politely...
... I'll invite my new family to go.
Let's drink to our new ties.
Cio-Cio-San!
Cio-Cio-San!
It's an abomination!
My uncle!
Damn that troublemaker!
How do we get rid of him?
Why did you go to the mission?
-Answer, Cio-Cio-San.
-What does this madman want?
-What have you done?
-Answer, Cio-Cio-San.
So your eyes are dry?
Is this how you were raised?
She's betrayed us all...
...renounced her ancestral faith!
Kami saruidasico!
Your soul will be tortured...
...for all eternity.
That's enough!
Come, let's go.
You've renounced us...
...so we renounce you.
Get out of here now!
I'll have no hocus-pocus
in my house!
Kami saruidasico!
We renounce you!
My sweet baby...
...don't let those croaking frogs...
...make you cry.
They're still howling!
That whole tribe of yours
and all the priests in Japan...
...aren't worth one tear
from your beautiful dear eyes.
Really?
Then I won't cry anymore.
Your tender words
are a comfort to me.
I can even forget...
...they have disowned me.
What are you doing? My hand--
I've been told that abroad...
...it's a sign of respect.
What's that muttering?
Suzuki saying her prayers.
Night is coming...
Bringing darkness and calm.
...and you're here alone.
Alone and disowned!
Disowned...
...and happy!
Close up the house!
Yes, we're all alone...
...and the world is shut outside.
With that furious priest.
Suzuki, my clothes.
Good night.
How I've longed
to take off this sash.
The knots are coming undone!
To think
this pretty little plaything...
...is my wife!
She's so graceful.
I'm blushing with shame.
I'm on fire.
I still hear that curse.
Disowned...
...but happy.
Pretty little girl
with the bewitching eyes...
...now you're all mine.
You're as pure as a lily...
...and your dark hair...
...sets off your pale face.
I'm like the moon goddess...
...who at night...
...crosses the bridge from heaven...
Ensnaring mortals!
...steals hearts...
...wraps them in a white cloak...
...and takes them to her realm.
In all this time...
...you haven't told me you love me.
Does the goddess know the words?
She knows them but fears...
...saying them might bring death.
Don't be foolish!
Love doesn't kill...
...but brings life and celestial joy.
I see it now in your eyes.
Now, my love...
...you're like the sun.
I liked you from the moment
I first saw you.
You're tall and strong...
...you have an open laugh...
...and you say things
I've never heard before.
I'm happy now.
Love me...
...with a tiny love...
...like you would a baby.
That's what I need.
Love me!
We are used to gentle things...
...to quiet pleasures...
...and tenderness...
...that's deep like the sea.
Give me your sweet hands to kiss.
How well named you are,
Butterfly.
I've heard that abroad...
...if a man captures a butterfly...
...he pierces it with a pin...
...and sticks it on a board.
There's some truth in that.
But do you know why?
So that it can't fly away.
I've caught you and I'll hold you.
You're mine!
Yes, for life!
Come, come.
There's no room for fear...
...in your new life.
The night is so calm.
Everything's asleep.
Oh, sweet night!
So many beautiful stars!
They twinkle and shine...
Come, you're mine.
...like the sparkle of an eye.
Don't be afraid.
I tremble when I hold you.
The sky is full...
...of dancing eyes.
Heaven smiles
in an ecstasy of love.
Three years pass by....
Despite his long absence...
...Butterfly still awaits
Pinkerton's return.
Oh, my head!
All you gods...
...please let Butterfly cry no more.
No more.
Here, gods are slow to respond.
I'm sure the American god...
...answers prayers more quickly.
But I'm afraid.
He may not know we're here.
How long before our money's gone?
This is all we have.
That's all?
Too many expenses!
Unless he returns soon...
...we'll be in trouble.
-He'll be back.
-Are you sure?
Why did he arrange
for the consul to pay the rent?
Answer that!
Why did he fit the house
with locks...
...if he never planned to come back?
I don't know.
You don't know?
I'll tell you.
To keep out mosquitoes...
...relatives...
...and troubles.
And to jealously protect...
...his wife.
Me! Butterfly!
Have you ever heard
of a foreign husband returning?
Be quiet or I'll kill you!
The day he left,
I asked if he'd return.
He smiled to hide his pain...
...and said...
"Oh, Butterfly!
Sweet little wife...
...I'll come back with the roses...
... in the spring...
... when the robin makes his nest. "
-He'll return!
-Let's hope so.
Say it with me: He'll return.
He'll return.
You're crying! Why?
Ah, you have no faith.
Listen.
One fine day we'll see...
...a trail of smoke rising...
...from the edge of the sea.
And then the ship will appear.
A white ship...
...enters the harbour...
...her guns thundering a salute.
See? He's come!
I won't go down to meet him.
No, not l.
I'll stand at the top of the hill...
...and wait a long time...
...but I won't mind the wait.
A man will come
out of the crowd...
...a tiny speck moving up the hill.
Who can it be?
And when he gets here...
...what will he say?
He'll call to me from afar...
...but I'll hide...
...partly to tease him...
...partly so as not to die of joy.
He'll be worried
and call me again...
..." Little wife, fragrance of verbena."
Those are the names
he used to call me.
This will happen, I promise.
Be afraid if you like.
I have faith...
...and can wait.
Meanwhile, unexpected visitors
come calling on Butterfly.
There she is. Go ahead.
Excuse me.
Madame Butterfly.
Madame Pinkerton, please.
Oh! Mr. Consul, it's you!
You recognized me?
Welcome to an American home!
Thank you.
Your honourable ancestors are well?
I hope so.
-Would you care to smoke?
-Thank you.
-I've got--
-Isn't the weather nice?
No, thank you.
I have--
An American cigarette instead?
Thank you.
-I have something to--
-Here you are.
I've heard from B.F. Pinkerton--
Really? Is he well?
Perfectly.
I am the happiest woman in Japan.
May I ask you a question?
Of course.
When do the robins
build their nests in America?
What was that?
Before or after they do here?
Why do you ask?
My husband promised me...
...he'd return in the season...
...when the robin rebuilds his nest.
He's already done it
three times here.
Maybe there it happens less often?
Who's laughing?
Oh, it's Goro.
An evil man.
At your service.
He dared--
No. First answer my question.
I'm sorry...
...I never studied ornithology.
So you don't know.
No. We were discussing--
As soon as B.F. Pinkerton
was at sea...
...Goro tried to tempt me...
...with one husband after another.
Now he promises me treasures...
...on behalf of a fool.
The rich Yamadori!
She's destitute.
Her family disowned her.
There he is! Look!
Yamadori...
...aren't you tired...
...of pining for love?
Will you still slash your wrists...
...if I refuse you a kiss?
I loathe pointless mooning.
Even after all the wives you've had?
I have freed myself of every one...
...by divorcing them.
I'm flattered.
But with you it would be forever.
I fear this message
will never be delivered!
A palace full of servants and gold!
I'm already committed.
She still thinks she's married.
I don't think so. I am!
-By law--
-I know nothing about that!
--desertion and divorce are the same.
Maybe in Japan...
...but not in my country.
And where is that?
The United States.
The poor woman!
Here you can kick your wife out...
...and call it a divorce.
But not in America.
Right?
Right, but--
There the judge asks the husband...
..."So you want to go? Why?"
" I'm fed up with marriage."
And the judge says...
..."Off to prison!"
Suzuki! Tea.
You heard that?
Her blindness depresses me.
Pinkerton's ship is on its way.
When she sees him--
He doesn't want to see her.
That's why I've come.
lf Your Grace will allow me?
What tiresome people!
Farewell.
I grieve for her...
...but I still hope.
Ah, if only you'd--
The problem is I don't want to.
Now back to us.
Please have a seat.
Can we read the letter together?
May l?
On my lips...
...over my heart.
You're the finest man in the world.
Please begin.
" Dear friend, please go
to that lovely child--"
Does he really say that?
Yes, but please--
I'll be quiet.
"Three years have gone by
since those happy days."
He's been counting them too!
" Butterfly may not remember me."
Not remember him!
Suzuki, you tell him!
" May not remember me" !
Patience!
" lf she still loves me...
...and is still waiting--"
Oh, such sweet words!
Bless this letter!
"--I ask you...
...to prepare her..."
He's coming back!
" ...for the shock."
When? Tell me, quick!
This is unbearable!
I'd better get it over with.
Damn Pinkerton!
What would you do...
...if he never came back?
I could do one of two things:
go back to singing for money...
...or, better yet...
...die.
I hate to disillusion you...
...but you should accept...
...Yamadori's proposal.
You?
You, sir...
...say this to me!
Oh, God, what can I do?
Suzuki, come quickly!
His Grace is leaving.
You're throwing me out?
Please don't insist.
I don't deny I was brutal.
You don't know how much it hurts.
It's nothing.
I thought I would die...
...but it's already passed...
...like a cloud.
So he's forgotten me!
And this?
Can he forget this too?
That's his child?
Have you ever seen a Japanese child
with eyes like that?
His lips? His hair?
Does Pinkerton know?
The child was born after he left...
...for that great country of his.
Write and tell him...
...that his son is waiting.
Then tell me he won't come flying...
...across mountains and oceans.
You know what this man thought?
That I would have to carry you...
... through the streets
in the wind and rain...
...begging for food and clothing...
...at the mercy...
... of people's sympathy...
...and crying...
... "Listen to my sad song!
Have pity on a poor mother!
And Butterfly...
... oh, horrible fate...
... will dance for you...
...as she once did.
The geisha will sing...
...a merry song...
... that ends in tears. "
No! Never again!
That way leads to dishonour.
I'd rather die.
I'll never dance again.
She's breaking my heart.
I must go now.
Will you forgive me?
Give him your hand.
What lovely hair!
What's your name?
Answer:
"Today my name is Sorrow.
But when you write to Daddy...
...tell him that
the day he comes back...
...my name will be Joy!"
I promise, he'll be told.
Thus, hope and loyalty...
...protect tender youth...
...from slander and doubt.
Viper! Toad!
What's wrong?
This evil man is spreading rumours...
...that no one knows...
...who the father of your boy is.
I only said that in America...
...a child born out of wedlock...
...will always be an outcast.
You lie!
Say it again and I'll kill you!
Go away!
You'll see, my little love...
...my sorrow and my comfort...
...your father will come...
...and take us far away...
...to his country.
The harbour cannon!
A battleship!
White! It's white!
The Stars and Stripes!
It's dropping anchor now.
I want to read the name.
It's the Abraham Lincoln!
They all lied!
Only I who love him knew.
See how foolish your doubts were.
He's come back!
Just when everyone told me...
...there was no hope...
...my love has triumphed.
He's come back and he loves me.
And during this time,
the child dreams....
Shake the cherry tree...
...and cover me...
...with blossoms.
Let that fragrant rain
cool my fever.
Calm yourself. Don't cry.
No, I'm laughing.
How long will we have to wait?
An hour, do you think?
Longer.
Two hours, perhaps.
We must have as many flowers...
...as there are stars in the sky.
Pick more.
You want all the flowers?
Yes. Peach blossoms,
violets, jasmines...
...anything that's in bloom.
The garden will look wintry.
Fill the house
with the scent of spring.
More!
You so often stood in the garden...
...staring sadly toward the horizon.
The sea gave me what I wanted.
I gave tears to the soil
and it returned flowers.
The garden's bare.
-Come, give me a hand.
-Here are roses.
Fill the house
with the scent of spring.
Spread April all around!
Scatter handfuls...
...of violets and tuberoses...
...showers of verbena...
...blossoms of every kind.
Come, make me look pretty.
No, first bring me the child.
I'm not the same as I was.
I've sighed too much...
...and stared too long
into the distance.
A touch of rouge.
You too, my little one...
...because the long wait...
...has made you pale.
Stay still.
Let me fix your hair.
What will they all say now?
My uncle who damned me...
...my suitor Yamadori.
Cruel, spiteful people.
I'm finished.
I want to wear the sash...
...I wore at my wedding.
I want him to see me...
...just as I was on that first day...
...but with a poppy in my hair.
Like that.
Now we'll make peepholes...
...so we can watch...
...and be as quiet as mice...
...while we wait.
The sun's already up.
Cio-Cio-San.
He'll come.
He'll come. You'll see!
Go rest. You're exhausted.
I'll call you as soon as he comes.
Sleep, my love.
You with God...
...and I with my sorrow.
Golden shafts of starlight...
...shine on you.
Poor Butterfly!
Who's there?
Quiet!
Don't disturb her.
She was so tired.
She waited up all night.
How did she know?
Every time a ship comes in...
...she scans the port...
...to see if its flag has stars.
Didn't I tell you?
I'll call her.
Not yet.
Look at the way
she filled the room with flowers.
-Didn't I tell you?
-How terrible!
Who's that out there?
Who's that woman?
-Shush!
-Who is she?
Tell her.
-She's with me.
-Who is she?
She's his wife.
O spirits, protect her.
Her sun's gone dark.
We came early...
...hoping to find you alone...
...so that we could ask you...
...to help her through this.
What's the use?
I know there's no consolation...
...for such terrible pain.
But we must think...
...of the child's future.
The bitter odour of these flowers...
...is like poison to my heart.
You want me to ask a mother--
The room where we made love
has the chill of death.
That portrait!
Three years have gone by...
...and she's counted every day
and every hour!
Every day and every hour...
...for three long years.
Come, Suzuki, please!
I can't stay here!
I'll wait for you outside.
Didn't I tell you so?
See that she's taken care of.
I'm filled with remorse.
I warned you, remember?
When she gave you her hand.
"She believes all this," I said...
...and I was right.
She was deaf to all advice...
...to doubts, to scorn.
She waited...
...clinging stubbornly to her love.
I see now it's all my fault.
This terrible torment...
...will haunt me until I die.
Go on.
She must hear the truth alone.
Farewell to this house...
...that was once filled with love.
I'll see her face forever...
...torturing me for what I've done.
Her trusting heart
already senses the truth.
Don't you remember?
I predicted this.
I can't bear the sorrow.
I have to run away.
You'll tell her?
I promise.
You'll tell her
to give me the child?
I promise.
I'll raise him like my own.
I believe you.
But she and I must be alone...
...when I tell her.
She'll cry so much!
Where are you?
Here. Praying, cleaning up.
No, don't come out!
He's here! Where is he?
The consul!
Is he hiding? Where?
He's not here!
That woman...
...what does she want?
No one speaks.
Why are you crying?
No, don't tell me...
...or I might die right here.
Suzuki...
...who's always so kind...
...don't cry.
lf you really love me...
...just whisper yes or no.
Is he alive?
Yes.
But he's not coming back.
They've told you.
Viper! Answer me!
He'll never come back.
But he arrived yesterday?
That woman frightens me.
She's the unwitting cause
of your misfortune.
Forgive her.
She's his wife!
My life is over.
There's nothing left.
Be strong.
They want to take everything!
My son!
It will be better for him.
But not for me.
To give up my son!
All right, then.
I must obey him.
Can you ever forgive me?
You're the happiest woman...
...in the world.
May you always be happy.
Don't be sad for me.
Poor thing.
It's devastating.
Will you give us the child?
I will give him his son...
...if he comes to get him.
Come back in half an hour.
Her heart is beating wildly
like the wings of a caged bird.
There's too much light...
...too much spring.
Close the screen!
Where's my child?
He's playing.
Should I call him?
Let him play.
Go and keep him company.
I'm staying with you.
Go! I order you.
"Let him die with honour...
... who cannot live with honour. "
You!
My little angel!
My love!
Lily and rose blossom!
I pray you never know...
...that I died...
...so that you could cross the seas...
...never regretting...
...that your mother abandoned you.
You, my son...
...were a gift from Heaven.
Take a good long look...
...and remember your mother's face.
Goodbye, my little love!
Go and play.
Butterfly!
Special help by SergeiK