Carmen (2004)

A square in Seville next to the cigarette factory

Micaela looks for José among the soldiers on guard duty. She resists the advances of Morales, the corporal in charge, and leaves.

With the new guard comes José with Lieutenant Zuniga, a newcomer to Seville. Zuniga learns about the women working in the cigarette factory as they come outside on break; among them is the gypsy Carmen, the center of all attention — except José’s. On her way back to the factory, Carmen tosses a flower at José, and the gesture impresses him more than he would like.

Micaela at last finds José and brings him a letter from his mother — along with a kiss.

An uproar breaks out in the factory: Carmen has attacked another worker with a knife. She refuses to answer Zuniga’s questions, and he orders her to jail. While they wait for Zuniga to return with the warrant, Carmen seduces José, and he agrees to let her escape. They will meet later at the tavern of Lillas Pastia.

At Lillas Pastia’s tavern outside the city

José was demoted and sent to jail, but Carmen learns from Zuniga that he has now been released. Escamillo, the bullfighter, shows up with his entourage and flirts with Carmen but is rebuffed.

When all except Carmen, Frasquita, and Mercedes have left, Lillas Pastia admits smugglers Dancaïre and Remendado. They recruit the girls for a smuggling operation, although Carmen is not available — she has fallen in love and is waiting for José.

When José arrives, Carmen is determined to entertain him, but José cannot risk further trouble by ignoring the trumpet that calls him back to the barracks. Carmen mocks him, accusing him of being a coward and insincere. He denies it, telling her he has kept her flower close to his heart.

When they are interrupted by the return of Zuniga, José jealously attacks his senior officer and, against his better judgment, agrees to join the smugglers.

Scene One: A pass in the mountains near the border of Gibraltar

Carmen cannot bear José’s possessiveness and has begun to look for ways to end the affair. While Frasquita and Mercedes discover their marital prospects in the cards, Carmen finds only death — first for her, then for José.

Dancaïre sends the girls to distract the customs guards at the border; José is left as a sentry.

Micaela and Escamillo both come upon the deserted camp, seeking José and Carmen, respectively. Micaela hides as José confronts Escamillo. When José discovers the reason for the bullfighter’s presence, he attacks him; Carmen arrives just in time to prevent bloodshed. Escamillo thanks her with an invitation to his next bullfight — and implies much more.

Micaela is discovered and begs José to return with her to his mother, who is dying. He reluctantly agrees.

Scene Two: The bullring in Seville

While Escamillo prepares himself in his quarters, he and Carmen swear love to each other. She ignores the warnings of her friends and determinedly faces José when he appears. He demands that she return to him, but she refuses.

Whatever the cost, she will remain free — even if it means her death. José grants her wish — and kills her.