This is a film comprised primarily from footage shot by the exploring team of Mr. and Mrs. William Phillips, nee Bill and Eve Phillips, a minor league version of the better-known Martin and Osa Johnson.
When a ship bringing a contingent of international wounded from Korea is torpedoed, three women (two nurses and a secretary) and a male journalist survive and reach a lonely island in a boat.
Written by the great librettist Tong Tik-sang, and featuring Lee Tit's elegant direction and superb performances from Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin, "Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom" brings Cantonese opera to cinematic life.