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La Lengua de las Mariposas (Butterfly) (Butterfly Tongues) (1999)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.3/10
Reviews Counted: 25
Fresh: 24 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

100

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 0

No consensus yet.

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Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 4,843

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Movie Info

Veteran director Jose Luis Cuerda delivered this sensitive portrait of a child coming of age during a tense political situation just before the Spanish Civil War. On his first day of school, frail eight-year-old Moncho (Manuel Lozano) is so terrified by the imposing figure of his teacher Don Gregorio (Fernando Fernan Gomez) that he flees into the nearby woods. In spite of his authoritarian appearance, the schoolmaster proves to be a kind, free-thinking Republican who teaches Moncho the virtues

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

Directed By: Jos� Luis Cuerda

Written By: Jos� Luis Cuerda, Rafael Azcona, Manuel Rivas

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2000 Wide

On DVD: Mar 28, 2006

Cast

Critic Reviews for La Lengua de las Mariposas (Butterfly) (Butterfly Tongues)

All Critics (51) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (1) | DVD (7)

Because the film marches so inexorably toward its conclusion, it would be unfair to hint at what happens, except to say that it provides a heartbreaking insight into the way that fear creates cowards.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Elegant and astonishing in its powerful simplicity.

January 7, 2010 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

| Comment

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

The real tragedy is the death of a liberal education.

January 4, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Journal International

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Peter Henne

Film Journal International

A bitterswet coming-of-age drama about the ways in which paranoia can stifle our courage, sanity, and love.

March 13, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment (1)

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

powerful, poignant, and thought provoking

August 21, 2001 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

| Comment

John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews Source: Old School Reviews

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for La Lengua de las Mariposas (Butterfly) (Butterfly Tongues)

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A wonderful (but tragic) story about a very bright but fragile little boy from a conservative family and the strength and courage that he gets from his very kind and exceptionally wise teacher, who is more liberal minded.

March 19, 2008