Beauty and the Beast (1947)

This is definitely not the Disney version. While it remains faithful to the plot of the classic fairy tale by Leprince de Beaumont, Jean Cocteau's 1946 French romantic fantasy is the product of a sophisticated, mature sensibility in its tones and textures and, above all, in its surprising emotional power. With sparkling black-and-white imagery that, for once, is actually dreamlike rather than cute or kitschy, and with a Beast (Jean Marais) who is almost as glamorous with his silky blonde facial hair as he is clean shaven, the movie casts a seductive spell. It might actually be a little too rich and unsettling for kids. Even the costumes and the draperies are entrancingly ornate. Viewers intoxicated by this enveloping vision should consider moving on to Cocteau's even more aggressively other-worldly 1949 masterpiece Orpheus, in which Marais plays the doomed poet of ancient Greek legend, updated to a Parisian "punk" milieu of motorcycles and black leather. --David Chute Amazon.com

Undiscovered treasure

This item arrived quickly and in good condition. I saw a few minutes of this movie on television and I had to order a copy. I usually don't like sub titles, but this movie is almost magical. I don't know why I haven't heard more about this movie. June 16, 2008

C'era una volta......

Jean Cocteau was one of France's greatest poets, but he also made some magnficent films. He only helmed 5 films (maybe 6) as director, but everyone bore his unmistakeable stamp. This is one of his greatest films.

It simply retells a fairy tale that we are all familiar with. We know how it ends, we know how it begins, yet, everytime you see this film, it feels fresh, beautiful, and awe inspiring. It's shot in simple black and white film (stunningly so by Henri Alekan, who also shot the original Wings of Desire years later), has no overbearing songs, no cutesy "comic relief" elements, yet Cocteau manages to make this fairy tale seem like it was written yesterday. It is the work of a remarkable man/artist that can take something so well known and make it feel alive again. Cocteau does that here.

One of my favorite scenes is the ending. We all know how the film ends, but when the Beast turns into the man, Cocteau uses his simple camera trick of running the film backward, making it look like Jean Marais leaps up (when the reality is he fell down and Cocteau just reversed the projection). You know it's not realistic, yet it's so beautiful and feels more real than reality. Is that art? I believe it to be so.

This was one of Criterion's first DVD's, and they recently reissued it with a better restoration (thought the first DVD was quite good), and also included is Philip Glass's opera based on this film. I have the first DVD edition, and Glass's score as well. I would recommend all of Cocteau's films. They're all so beautiful. April 9, 2008

A cartoon comes to life

Don't laugh my bros. I'm still the same guy who loves my blood and gore flicks. But sometimes you gotta shake things up a bit. This adult fairy tale glides with an enchanting splendor and overwhelming grace. No seriously.

The horrors of the real world can corrupt us. As adults we try to push away the spirit of our childhood and repress all the indelible figments of our imagination. Any rekindling of our past fantasies is deemed a weakness, which is sad.

You probably know this story, Beauty is held captive by The Beast. She recognizes a warm tenderness hidden beneath the monstrosity. The story progresses with a magical elegance and soothing vitality. Plus the camera work is phenomenal. The inanimate is given life--castle walls, statues, the forest. Quite a passionate tale.

This truly is a landmark feat in cinematic fantasy. Recommended for anyone willing to let there guard down. April 7, 2008

A Masterpiece

This movie is beautiful from beginning to the end. By far one of my favourite movies of all time. The effects are superb. The costume, especially the Beast's are breathtaking. The sets and design of the movie are second to none. A true classic Movie Masterpiece! March 28, 2008

A Movie to Remember

If you want to know what these "Fairy Tales" were originally meant to impart, then this is the movie for you. Beyond that is the level of acting and directing that you wouldn't expect in a "dress-up" production. Everything is superb and that includes the emotions that you catch yourself reliving days later.

Words do not do this movie justice. Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" needs to be experienced for the event and adventure that it is, but for the beauty and tenderness, as well. It envelopes you like a cloud and long after it is over you are still feeling it. There are scenes between
Beauty and the Beast that are so tender that you ache. There are other scenes that are so ripe with sexual tension that you expect the Beast to come roaring out. There is blood, anger bordering on violence and fear on both sides. This is not your kiddie matinee. It is a well acted story that is wonderfully directed and shot and should be on everyone's list of "must-have" movies. March 5, 2008

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