Madame Butterfly

Year: 1932

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Marion Gering

Drama

During shore leave in Japan, Pinkerton marries the young geisha Cho‑Cho San. After he departs, she preserves his Japanese home exactly as he left it. Three years later he returns, now remarried in America, and tells her their relationship is over. She has given birth to his child, sends the baby to her family, and, devastated, ends her own life.

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Timeline & Setting – Madame Butterfly (1932)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Madame Butterfly (1932). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Goro's Tea House, Japan, Cho-Cho San's Home, Japan, Onboard American Steamship, America, American Consulate

The story moves between the intimate spaces of Goro's Tea House and Cho-Cho San's family home, and the broader, cosmopolitan world of American naval presence. It also features scenes aboard an American steamship and at an American consular setting, highlighting the cross-cultural backdrop. The contrast between refined Japanese interiors and Western influences underscores the tensions at the heart of the plot.

❄️ Geisha House 🗽 Naval Setting 🏯 Traditional Family Home

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:34

Main Characters – Madame Butterfly (1932)

Meet the key characters of Madame Butterfly (1932), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cho-Cho San (Sylvia Sidney)

A young geisha-in-training whose loyalties are torn between family duty and a personal longing. She experiences a brief awakening when Pinkerton shows interest, but her world becomes fraught with doubt as expectations collide with affection. After marriage to Pinkerton, she discovers the truth behind his other life, fights to protect her child, and ultimately chooses a path defined by honor rather than happiness.

❄️ Geisha life ❤️ Forbidden love 👪 Family 🌸 Tragedy

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:34

Major Themes – Madame Butterfly (1932)

Explore the central themes of Madame Butterfly (1932), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:34

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about doomed romantic faith like Madame Butterfly

Stories of unwavering devotion shattered by cruel reality and deception.If you were moved by the tragic story of Cho-Cho San in Madame Butterfly, explore these films about characters whose unwavering love and faith is met with cruel betrayal. These movies like Madame Butterfly share a heavy emotional weight, bleak tone, and explore the devastating consequences of placing trust in the wrong person.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow a linear, downward trajectory. They begin with a foundation of hope and romantic idealism, which is gradually eroded by the actions (or inactions) of a betraying figure. The central conflict is internal, focusing on the protagonist's struggle to reconcile their faith with an increasingly grim reality, culminating in an irreversible, tragic outcome.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared core of a faithful protagonist facing a devastating betrayal. They resonate through a similarly dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a narrative structure that builds methodically towards a bleak, emotionally conclusive ending, leaving a lasting impact of sorrow and loss.

Movies about cultural clash and tragedy like Madame Butterfly

Where romantic idealism collides with harsh prejudice and exploitation.Explore films similar to Madame Butterfly that delve into the tragic consequences of cross-cultural relationships. These movies often feature a power imbalance, themes of prejudice, and a storyline where naive hope is destroyed, resulting in a bleak and emotionally heavy viewing experience for fans of serious drama.

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Narrative Summary

The pattern involves a protagonist from a culturally distinct or less powerful background entering a relationship with someone from a dominant culture. Initial romance or convenience gives way to the harsh realities of cultural difference, power dynamics, and often outright exploitation. The story arc is a descent, highlighting the protagonist's isolation and the ultimate personal ruin that results from the clash.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their exploration of tragedy stemming from cultural imperialism and misunderstanding. They share a dark, sober tone, a steady pacing that allows the gravity of the situation to sink in, and a focus on the heavy emotional toll exacted on characters caught between two worlds.

Unlock the Full Story of Madame Butterfly

Don't stop at just watching — explore Madame Butterfly in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Madame Butterfly is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Madame Butterfly Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Madame Butterfly, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Madame Butterfly Timeline

Track the full timeline of Madame Butterfly with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Madame Butterfly Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Madame Butterfly

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Madame Butterfly: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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Discover movies like Madame Butterfly that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.