Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama thriller

In the Time of the Butterflies (2001): Cast & Plot

In the Time of the Butterflies (2001) movie poster

In the Time of the Butterflies is a 2001 drama thriller directed by Mariano Barroso, starring Edward James Olmos as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, Lumi Cavazos and Mía Maestro. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.

Loading streaming availability…
In the Time of the Butterflies (2001) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Mariano Barroso
Genres
Thriller , Drama , Romance , History
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is In the Time of the Butterflies About?

The premise of In the Time of the Butterflies without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Based on Julia Álvarez’s novel, three Dominican sisters join the underground resistance against Rafael Trujillo after the regime’s troops murder members of their family, thrusting them from traditional roles into a brave fight for freedom and justice.

In the Time of the Butterflies Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • violence
  • trujillo regime
  • butterfly
  • 1960s
  • courage
  • government
  • dictatorship
  • dominican republic
  • cliff
  • church
  • revolution
  • general
+38 more
  • deception
  • treachery
  • mysterious disappearance
  • secret police
  • political oppression
  • political persecution
  • political repression
  • schoolgirl
  • abduction
  • gore
  • physical abuse
  • political prisoner
  • political murder
  • propaganda
  • totalitarianism
  • corrupt official
  • shot to death
  • martyr
  • ends with death
  • peace activist
  • political corruption
  • death of boyfriend
  • cold war
  • communist
  • corrupt politician
  • military abuse
  • human rights
  • political intrigue
  • romantic friendship
  • atrocity
  • official corruption
  • social injustice
  • activist
  • insect in title
  • six word title
  • suspense
  • raid
  • bread
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

In the Time of the Butterflies Cast & Characters

Edward James Olmos leads the cast as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, with Lumi Cavazos as Patria Mirabal and Mía Maestro as Mate Mirabal. Directed by Mariano Barroso; 48 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in In the Time of the Butterflies

· 44 more
Show all 48 cast members
From the director

More from Mariano Barroso

More films directed by Mariano Barroso: Todas las mujeres, Dark Impulse, El oficio de actor and Ants in the Mouth.

Full filmography
Plot

In the Time of the Butterflies Plot Summary

What happens in In the Time of the Butterflies from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens with a reverent montage of the actual victims of Trujillo, setting a solemn tone before shifting to the memories of those who lived through his regime. In a prison cell, Minerva Mirabal, portrayed by Salma Hayek Pinault, begins to recount the story that will unfold. The narrative then follows the four sisters—Minerva, Patria, Dedé, and Maté—who grow up on a tranquil farm in rural Ojo De Agua. Minerva, the most outspoken of the siblings, is determined to break barriers and insists on sending her younger sisters to a boarding school, a step that deeply shapes their paths.

Full summary

The whole story of In the Time of the Butterflies, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

In the Time of the Butterflies Trailers & Videos

The trailer of In the Time of the Butterflies.

In The Time Of Butterflies Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know In the Time of the Butterflies?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actress portrays Minerva Mirabal?

Cars

Cars in In the Time of the Butterflies

25 cars on screen, including the 1949 Buick Roadmaster and the 1939 Dodge Luxury Liner De Luxe.

All 25 cars
  • 1949 Buick Roadmaster in In the Time of the Butterflies 1949 Buick Roadmaster Important role
  • 1939 Dodge Luxury Liner De Luxe in In the Time of the Butterflies 1939 Dodge Luxury Liner De Luxe Important role
  • 1942 Ford Pickup in In the Time of the Butterflies 1942 Ford Pickup Important role
  • 1946 Ford Super De Luxe in In the Time of the Butterflies 1946 Ford Super De Luxe Important role
Details

In the Time of the Butterflies Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Die Zeit der Schmetterlinge” and “Ha eljő a Pillangók ideje”.

Also known as
  • Die Zeit der Schmetterlinge
  • Ha eljő a Pillangók ideje
  • En el tiempo de las mariposas
  • V čase motýlů
  • No Tempo das Borboletas
  • Времена бабочек, პეპლების დრო
  • 蝴蝶飞舞时

Seen In the Time of the Butterflies?

FAQ

In the Time of the Butterflies FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of In the Time of the Butterflies, each answered in a sentence.

How long is In the Time of the Butterflies?

In the Time of the Butterflies runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was In the Time of the Butterflies released?

In the Time of the Butterflies was released on October 21, 2001.

Who directed In the Time of the Butterflies?

In the Time of the Butterflies was directed by Mariano Barroso.

More films by Mariano Barroso

Who is in the cast of In the Time of the Butterflies?

In the Time of the Butterflies stars Edward James Olmos as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, Lumi Cavazos as Patria Mirabal and Mía Maestro as Mate Mirabal, among 48 credited actors.

Does In the Time of the Butterflies have a post-credit scene?

No. In the Time of the Butterflies has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app