Rent The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

3.8 of 5 from 645 ratings
1h 47min
Rent The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (aka Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
On December 8, 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor in chief of fashion magazine French Elle suffered a massive stroke, leaving him prisoner inside his own body, only able to communicate with the blinking of his left eye. Inside the Diving Bell, as he referred to his body, his memory and imagination, the Butterfly, remained untouched by the tragedy. Using a special alphabet, Bauby went on to defy the odds and fulfil his dream of writing a book, showing the amazing resilience of the human spirit.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , Théo Sampaio, , , , , , , ,
Directors:
Writers:
Ronald Harwood, Jean-Dominique Bauby
Others:
Janusz Kaminski, Juliette Welfling
Aka:
Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon
Studio:
20th Century Fox
Genres:
Drama
Collections:
2009, 21 Reasons to Love... Ingmar Bergman: Part 2, Remembering: Max von Sydow, The Biggest Oscar Snubs: Part 2
Countries:
France
Awards:

2008 BAFTA Best Adapted Screen Play

2007 Cannes Best Director

BBFC:
Release Date:
09/06/2008
Run Time:
107 minutes
Languages:
English Dubbed Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Charlie Rose interviews Julian Schnabel
  • Submerged: The making of The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
  • Cinematic Vision featurette
  • Trailer
  • Photo Gallery

More like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Reviews (7) of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Moving, challenging and original - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly review by Tim from London

Spoiler Alert
09/01/2008

Brilliant and highly original film about a man with 'locked in syndrome', which is a rare condition in which a person is aware and awake, but cannot move or communicate due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body. Don't expect a dull amd overly worthy Hollywood-like portrayal of disability ala Awakenings or A Beautiful Mind. This is told completely from the person's point of view. Mathieu Amalric brilliantly portrays a man who is flawed (he cheated on his wife and continues to reject her), loving, vain and sometimes suicidal and often humurous (especially making fun of his disability) - ie not just a 'disabled person' but a fully rounded human being. This is achieved through voiceovers, flashbacks and fantasy sequences. There is also a great supporting cast featuring many of the leading actors from French cinema. Although some scenes drag a little and the jerky camera movements are overused - this is a brilliant and very unique film.

6 out of 7 members found this review helpful.

Utterly captivating - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly review by JD

Spoiler Alert
03/03/2010

The idea of being "locked in" is superbly projected by skillful blends of film design. The feeling is made possible to imagine and find empathy. Eventually even to feel hope within despair. A difficult area for cinema well captivated.

2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

True stories are the best stories! - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly review by DW

Spoiler Alert
25/10/2019

This is a fictionalised version of a true story so it's truly unique. In recognition of the unusual nature of the subject matter, the filming is also non-conventional so if you like something very different then settle back to be richly rewarded.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

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