The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Original title: Le scaphandre et le papillon

2007
PG-13
1h 52m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

111K

YOUR RATING

Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

The official U.S. trailer for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, directed by Julian Schnabel.

Play trailer2:19

6 Videos

99+ Photos

Medical Drama Biography Drama

The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.

Director
- Julian Schnabel
Writers
- Ronald Harwood
- Jean-Dominique Bauby
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

111K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Julian Schnabel
Writers
- Ronald Harwood
- Jean-Dominique Bauby
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 68 wins & 106 nominations total

Trivia
To familiarize himself with Bauby's sheltered existence, director Julian Schnabel made the movie in the same hospital where Bauby was treated, meeting many of the orderlies who had treated him. He also shot scenes on the same balcony where Bauby relaxed, and on the same nearby beach to which his family had taken him.

Goofs
When Jean-Dominique goes on a boat ride, a 'Speedferries' vessel can be seen in the background. Speedferries started business in 2004, years after the movie was set.

Quotes
Jean-Dominique Bauby: I decided to stop pitying myself. Other than my eye, two things aren't paralyzed, my imagination and my memory.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Juno/Starting Out in the Evening/The Savages/Hitman/The Diving Bell and the Butterfly/Redacted (2007)

Soundtracks
Theme for The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly
Composed by Paul Cantelon
Studio recording The University of Victoria
Engineer / Producer Russell Dawkin

User reviews216

Review

Featured review

8/10

A moving story told in an intriguing fashion

Saw this last night in Brussels (it's been on release for a while now). I was worried that it would be arty and depressing, but I was pleasantly surprised by how absorbing and moving it was. The opening scenes are striking, and communicate well the main character's feelings of claustrophobia and helplessness in the immediate aftermath of his accident, but as he attempts to rebuild his life and learn how to communicate, the film (and the visual style) opens up, even making room for some welcome flashes of humour. Performances are excellent, but the real stars here are the writer(s) and director, for taking us so convincingly into the character's world.