Watch In the Time of the Butterflies

In the Time of the Butterflies is a 2001 drama film based on Julia Alvarez's historical fiction novel of the same name. The movie depicts the real-life story of the Mirabal sisters who were assassinated in 1960 in the Dominican Republic for their involvement in the underground movement against dictator Rafael Trujillo. The film begins with the youngest of the sisters, Dede Mirabal (Pilar Padilla), who is the only surviving sister, recounting the events that led to the deaths of her sisters. The elder sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa are played by Salma Hayek, Lumi Cavazos, and Mía Maestro, respectively.

The movie alternates between two different time periods, the first being the 1940s when the sisters were young women, and the second being in the late 1950s, leading up to the assassination.

In the 1940s, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa are introduced as three very different personalities. Patria is portrayed as the most conservative of the three, being very religious and content with her married life. Minerva is depicted as the most rebellious, wanting to pursue a law degree and pushing against their father's traditional gender roles for women. Maria Teresa is portrayed as the youngest and most naive of the sisters but still has a strong desire to help her country.

As the sisters grow up, they become more aware of the political climate in their country, and their individual journeys lead them to become involved in the underground movement against Trujillo. They secretly attend meetings and plan protests, all while trying to maintain the appearance of loyal citizens to their family and friends.

As the film progresses, tensions rise, and the sisters become increasingly aware of the danger they are in. Despite this, they continue their participation in the movement, leading to their eventual capture and assassination.

Salma Hayek delivers a standout performance as Minerva, bringing life to the character's fierce independence and determination. Lumi Cavazos also shines as Patria, bringing a depth of emotion to the character's internal struggle between her loyalty to her family and her passion for social justice.

Edward James Olmos portrays Trujillo, the dictator of the Dominican Republic, and although he doesn't have a significant amount of screen time, he brings a sense of tension and fear to the film that permeates throughout.

Overall, In the Time of the Butterflies is a powerful film that portrays the bravery and sacrifice of the Mirabal sisters. The film is well-acted, with stunning cinematography that captures the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic. It delivers a compelling story that reflects on the themes of sisterhood, sacrifice, and social justice, making it a must-watch for fans of historical dramas.

In the Time of the Butterflies is a 2000 tv movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.