IMDb RATING
7.2/10
6.3K
YOUR RATING
A blind man moves into his own apartment against the wishes of his overprotective mother and befriends the freethinking young woman next door.A blind man moves into his own apartment against the wishes of his overprotective mother and befriends the freethinking young woman next door.A blind man moves into his own apartment against the wishes of his overprotective mother and befriends the freethinking young woman next door.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 7 nominations total
Paul Michael Glaser
- Ralph
- (as Michael Glaser)
Michael Warren
- Roy
- (as Mike Warren)
Charlene Jones
- Girl in Mod Shop
- (uncredited)
Jessica Rains
- 1st Girl
- (uncredited)
Paul Ryan
- Man in Mod Shop
- (uncredited)
Debralee Scott
- Girl in Opening Credits
- (uncredited)
Sandra Vacey
- Girl in Mod Shop
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
I have been wanting to see this hard to find flick since I had the chance to play the "Goldy" character in the stage play.
Although the film dates to '72 it really isn't even dated, although in one segment it does reference two out of operation airlines--sign of the times.
The cinematic version retains many of the features one would find in the stage play. I found the experience of watching "Butterflies are Free" so much more rewarding then many more countless modern pictures I've forked out 8 bucks for at the theater.
The character development is fantastic, Goldie Hahn is really classic as a
"reformed hippie" San Fran transplant.
However, I feel the supporting characters really shine with their nuanced
performances. The long camera angles and the sets really allow you to see the interaction between the actors and the talent shines. This film is entertaining and enjoyable without expensive special effects, graphic violence or vulgarity-- just a young Goldie in her cute panties and tiny, svelte figure.
Although the film dates to '72 it really isn't even dated, although in one segment it does reference two out of operation airlines--sign of the times.
The cinematic version retains many of the features one would find in the stage play. I found the experience of watching "Butterflies are Free" so much more rewarding then many more countless modern pictures I've forked out 8 bucks for at the theater.
The character development is fantastic, Goldie Hahn is really classic as a
"reformed hippie" San Fran transplant.
However, I feel the supporting characters really shine with their nuanced
performances. The long camera angles and the sets really allow you to see the interaction between the actors and the talent shines. This film is entertaining and enjoyable without expensive special effects, graphic violence or vulgarity-- just a young Goldie in her cute panties and tiny, svelte figure.
I bumped into this movie, a Goldie Hawn feature that I hadn't heard of. It turned out to bit of a gem. Clearly, written for the stage rather than the big stage, it did translate into a watchable couple of hours although I still consider that the stage is probably the most suitable home for this piece. The acting was terrific. Hawn was quirky, charming, frustrating, not to mention sexy. Such a confused and immature character, yet you couldn't help but like her. You wanted to sympathise with Edward Albert as the blind neighbour and yet, he didn't want people to sympathise with him. He displayed admirable courage and yet a fragility that could break at any second despite his noble. independence. Eileen Heckart won an Oscar for the mother. She was frustrating to start with and then her love and determination to look after her son shone through and you ended up being so full of admiration for her. Lots of talking and yet you get drawn in from an early stage so that you really, genuinely care. Don't let this butterfly pass you by.
I just finished watching this movie. I woke up this morning believing I saw this movie years ago, and decided to give it a chance to see if it jogged any memories. Turns out I did see it years ago but now with me being much older, it held much greater significance for me. This film was not dated at all and it would be relative to almost any period in time. The issues dealt with in the movie are the same issues that people deal with all the time, except of course for the role brilliantly played by Edward Albert in which he plays a blind man. One of the beautiful aspects of this film is that the script tries, and succeeds at eliminating the stereotypes and limitations of the handicap to instead focus on the real emotional ups and downs of the human soul. Absolutetly brilliant film.
I enjoyed this film very much; it appeals to the romantic in all of us, yet it is very candid. Goldie Hawn is perfect for the role of Jill, she seems so at ease with the character. Eileen Heckart is wonderful as the overbearing yet caring mother. She loves her son and it is hard for her to let go of him & to stop taking care of her son, Don, especially since he is blind. She feels that he needs someone to care for him and she thinks his new neighbor and love interest Jill is not the girl to do that. Heckart won the best supporting oscar that year for the film and she was much deserving because she is excellent. The film has some very touching scenes between each of the actors as Don struggles for independence from his mother and as he fights to convince Jill that they could have a relationship despite his blindness and how his mother has scared her away. I also love that the film has been adapted from a play and you can really sense that with simple apartment setting. A interesting note is that the Leonard Gershe who wrote the play was inspired by a real life person: Harold Krentz. Gershe heard Krentz talking on a radio show about being drafted for the military during the vietnam war, the odd thing is Harold Krentz has been blind since childhood. Harold Krentz wrote a book called "To Race the Wind" and he writes about being the inspiration for the story of Butterflies are free.
I really enjoyed the movie, but one thing I noticed and appreciated was the long shots. Modern movies usually are changing angles and context every few seconds; while like a play, this movie will hold a shot for minutes at a time. I think it shows the strength of the actors, while most contemporary movies can mask poor acting with editing. This is especially true towards the end of the movie, in the scene where Don and Jill confront each other's feelings. I was amazed at how Goldie was able to hold the emotion of the scene and keep me drawn in for such an extended period.
I've never been a big Goldie fan, but I had never seen this movie until recently. I have to say this movie changes my opinion and makes we wonder what other films of hers from this period are like.
I've never been a big Goldie fan, but I had never seen this movie until recently. I have to say this movie changes my opinion and makes we wonder what other films of hers from this period are like.
Did you know
- TriviaEileen Heckart was nominated for the 1970 Tony Award for Supporting or Features Actress in a Drama for "Butterflies are Free" but lost to co-star Blythe Danner. She recreated her stage role in this movie version, and was nominated for an Oscar® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. This time, she won.
- GoofsThe door behind Don is open when seen at 1:19:55 or earlier and closed whenever seen following 1:20:07. At 1:20:42, the door opens when Mrs. Baker rushes past Don, and, in the next second, it is obvious that Don was nowhere near the door.
- Quotes
Mrs. Baker: [interrogating Jill about being divorced] How long were you married?
Jill: Six days.
Mrs. Baker: And on the seventh day you rested?
Jill: No, I split.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Romantic Comedy (2019)
- SoundtracksButterflies Are Free
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (as Steve Schwartz)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Schmetterlinge sind frei
- Filming locations
- 1901 Union Street, San Francisco, California, USA(Jill and Don walk past the Bus Stop saloon)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $250,000
- Runtime
- 1h 49m(109 min)
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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