Beauty and the Beast

( 12 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
Jean Cocteau's most popular film, this 1946 masterpiece is perhaps the most faithful of the many film versions of the 1756 fairy tale written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. Though the ending is a bit on the strange side -- the Beast morphs into a prince who looks exactly like Belle's hapless suitor, and her disappointment is unmistakable -- the film features tight, economical storytelling and enough visual fireworks including many stunningly executed optical effects to ...
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Blu-ray (B&W / Pan & Scan)
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More About This Product

Special Features

Two Commentaries: One by Film Historian Arthur Knight and one by Writer and Cultural Historian Sir Christopher Frayling; Screening at the Majestic, a 1995 Documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew; Interview with Cinematographer Henri Alekan; Rare behind-the-scenes photos and publicity stills; Film restoration demonstration; Original Trailer, Directed and Narrated by Jean Cocteau, and the 1995 restoration trailer; ; Plus: A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Geoffrey O'Brien, a 1947 piece on the film by Cocteau, and the film by Cocteau, excerpts from Francis Steegmuller's 1970 Cocteau: A Biography, and an introduction to Glass's opera by the composer
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
Jean Cocteau's most popular film, this 1946 masterpiece is perhaps the most faithful of the many film versions of the 1756 fairy tale written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. Though the ending is a bit on the strange side -- the Beast morphs into a prince who looks exactly like Belle's hapless suitor, and her disappointment is unmistakable -- the film features tight, economical storytelling and enough visual fireworks including many stunningly executed optical effects to enrapture viewers from beginning to end. The actors are uniformly wonderful: Josette Day makes a stunning Belle, and Cocteau regular Jean Marais excels in a triple role that includes the magnificent Beast. The real stars of the film, though, are Cocteau himself, who gives the film a shimmering, romantic look, and the brilliant costume and set design. The Beast's make-up, in particular, works beautifully; it's just realistic enough to be convincing, while allowing Marais to emote through his eyes and subtle facial tics. The unforgettable sets, which include human arm candelabras and moving statues, are a marvel of impressionistic romanticism, filled with symbolism that hints at the story's darker implications. Forget Disney -- this is the closest anyone's come to capturing the essence of a fairy tale on film. Mark Pittillo
All Movie Guide
Jean Cocteau's most popular film, this 1946 masterpiece is perhaps the most faithful of the many film versions of the 1756 fairy tale written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. Though the ending is a bit on the strange side -- the Beast morphs into a prince who looks exactly like Belle's hapless suitor, and her disappointment is unmistakable -- the film features tight, economical storytelling and enough visual fireworks (including many stunningly executed optical effects) to enrapture viewers from beginning to end. The actors are uniformly wonderful; Josette Day makes a stunning Belle, and Cocteau regular Jean Marais excels in a triple role that includes the magnificent Beast. The real stars of the film, though, are Cocteau himself, who gives the film a shimmering, romantic look, and the brilliant costume and set design. The Beast's makeup, in particular, works beautifully; it's just realistic enough to be convincing, while allowing Marais to emote through his eyes and subtle facial tics. The unforgettable sets, which include human-arm candelabras and moving statues, are a marvel of impressionistic romanticism, filled with symbolism that hints at the story's darker implications. Forget Disney -- this is the closest anyone's come to capturing the essence of a fairy tale on film.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 7/19/2011
  • UPC: 715515081313
  • Original Release: 1946

    • Rating:

  • Source: Criterion
  • Presentation: B&W / Pan & Scan
  • Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound, Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Language: Français
  • Time: 1:33:00
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 26,424

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Josette Day Beauty
Jean Marais The Beast/ Avenant
Mila Parely Adelaide
Nane Germon Felice
Michel Auclair Ludovic
Marcel André The Merchant
Raoul Marco The Usurer
Georges Auric
Jean Cocteau Voice Only
Technical Credits
Jean Cocteau Director, Screenwriter
Henri Alékan Cinematographer
Hagop Arakelian Makeup
Georges Auric Score Composer
Christian Berard Art Director, Costumes/Costume Designer
René Clément Consultant/advisor
Irving Drutman Consultant/advisor
Marcel Escoffier Costumes/Costume Designer
Claude Iberia Editor
René Moulaert Set Decoration/Design
André Paulve Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 12 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(7)

4 Star

(3)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

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Sort by: Showing 1 – 11 of 12 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Real Beauty

    Stunning cinematography, and absolutely true to the original story. An essential addition to any serious film collection.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Work of ART

    This movie is so beautiful it's hard to describe. Inventive, artistic, flowing, majestic. This treasure was made over 60 years ago but makes the most of special effects to completely engage the audience. They aren't blatent either. You have to pay attention to the carvings on the fireplace and statues. Notice the way the beast's ears move (like a hunter) when he hears an animal in the wood. I don't want to give away other surprises because it would ruin the experience. Watching it, I felt like I was looking at a beautiful painting, seeing a lovely ballet, and being mezmerized by a great movie. I know my comments sound silly, but you have to see it. I did see it many years ago and recently rented it. The years haven't diminished the experience. I love movies and have eclectic taste. This is a treasure of the art house movies.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Blacula
    Metal Church
    Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection
    Reign in Blood
    Munsters: Complete First Season

    Just between one Beastlord to another.......

    Now it comes to it. They beat the beast and made him angry and hardened his heart to the core. Now he seeks retibution and vengeance assuring that the master breathes no more. No those are my lyrics. Anyway this is still a great classic film from the golden era of cinema. It is worth watching just for that reason. Like Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. It is a study in film noir lighting techniques on silvertone. It is actually rather good and entertaining. I might have been scared back in those days by the special effects..hough houwgh houwgh... Well okay but still it's entertaining well and good enough. Ye who be the true Beastlord, he hath stood and he hath spake upon the matter. As for the Slavedragon he shalt leave his own sordid epic details to the self evidency of his be blackened surroundings at happenstance.

    1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 25, 2012

    woah! Spoiler alert in the editorial review! Yikes!!!

    woah! Spoiler alert in the editorial review! Yikes!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted July 16, 2012

    one of the most exceptional movies I've ever seen. I always love

    one of the most exceptional movies I've ever seen. I always loved Jean Coctaeu and this version of the story is just mesmerizing and magical. A beautiful movie

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 26, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 17, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 2, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 12, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 11, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 9, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing 1 – 11 of 12 Customer Reviews