Beauty and The Beast (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

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Released in 1946, Jean Cocteau's "La Belle et La Bete" was traditionally seen as his most audience-friendly film.Yet today, almost 30 years after the Disney animated release it remains more essential than ever. The two films must be discussed together but why? It is because the Disney film borrowed MUCH of its charm, not from the traditional story, but from the Cocteau version. The was NO Gaston, no talking candlesticks or other talking furniture or much of the "magic" in the original tale written in the 17th century: That was all derived from Cocteau's version! There are differences, such as in Cocteau's version "Gaston" is the character "Avenant" and Gaston's groveling sidekick "LeFou" is in Cocteau named "Ludovic" and is Belle's brother. None of the furniture talks, but much of it moves it its own magical way; Hands that pour wine in your glass or pull aside drapery, human heads made to look like statuary that can turn and follow Belle with their face and eyes.But differences DO matter; In the Disney version much of the story revolves around the falling petals of a magical rose. In Cocteau's version, the original version, the rose is just a plot device to set the real story in motion. What will kill the Beast is the failure of the love and trust he places in Belle - if she fails to return.We also get much more set-up, such as Belle's quarrelling, petty, avaricious sisters; They were replaced in the Disney film with the over-the-top arrogance and greed of Gaston and the fawning of LeFou.OK, so why more relevant now than ever? Both are fairy tales, not Homeric Epics after all. Because the original version, the one by Cocteau, places responsibility squarely for events and decisions on human characters to include the humanity that dwells within the Beast. Whereas the Disney version dumbs everything down to a kiddie movie with jolly songs and operatic bluster to gloss over the loss of sensitivity and depth. I love the original Disney version, but when I saw Cocteau's version for the first time recently I was gob-smacked by how much more mature, delicate, and magical it is. The original film has been restored lovingly and will look superb on your Big Screen and Blu ray player if you have those, but is worthy even on Grandpa's old B&W TV he keeps in the basement. Many people will not buy this as, "I already have the Disney version." And they will continue to sleep-walk through their consumer-oriented lives. See it! And be transformed if you dare!

Shot over nine months starting from the end of World War II, in August 1945, Cocteau reinterpreted "Beauty and the Beast"'s tale of Madame Leprince de Beaumont in one of the most impressive cinematographical poem in the history of cinema.Accompanied by his friends — actors like Jean Marais and Marcel André, decorator Christian Bérard, Marcel Escoffier as costume designer, and composer Georges Auric — Jean Cocteau introduced in his crew other admirable people. Talented artists such as Mila Parély and Nane Germon in the role of the sisters Felicia and Adelaide, Michel Auclair in the role of brother Ludovic, Doudou in the role of Diane and Josette Day in the role of Belle. Sublime discovery this actress is for her natural, pure and subtle acting skills make her the perfect actress for this role. Among the technical staff, Henri Alekan (cinematographer) and René Clément (assistant director) supported Cocteau. Especially Clement who directed sequences in the castle of the Beast while Cocteau was gravely ill at the Pasteur Institute. Detail Jean describes well in his film diary, which people can buy in bookshops or consult in libraries.Far from telling the story that we already know, Cocteau takes the opportunity to enrich the mythology with very important antagonists like Ludovic, brother of Belle, Avenant, a friend whose love for Belle reveals him a very dangerous soul, and Diane Pavillon's, a magical section in the castle. Through these additions, Cocteau gave the story a greater dramatic tension that enriches the theme of appearance and beauty, but also an open ending that questions the film and some elements like the beast's nature, true intentions, double motives, and his universe. For in this tale are two dimensions. A real world similar to Vermeer paintings, with suffocating accessories and superficial frills. And the magical world of the Beast; whose subtle, frugal decorations, and clair-obscur lighting are reminiscent of Gustave Doré's engravings. Where the impossible becomes a theatre of surrealism.Visually, the Blu-Ray version is impressive in HD , even if the image quality of the film, made on different types of film stocks, can be felt in certain sequences, which is what explains a bonus on the Restoration of the film. Indeed, as time went on, the film became damaged, resulting in noises, scratches and perforations that required several restorations sessions of the nitrates.In its audio, the film offers an uncompressed Mono soundtrack, but also an HD recording of an opera by Philip Glass, who was inspired by Cocteau's film. As bonuses, other wonders are there too. Either the original trailers of the film that reference to sequences deleted in the film involving Belle, Adelaide, Ludovic, and Felicie. Comments of film historians, including a leaflet with Cocteau's message in regard to American audiences. But mostly an interview celebrating 50 years of the film, which took place in Rochecorbon with Henri Alekan, Mila Parély and Jean Marais, accompanied by Cocteau sound clips explaining his film.As such, this film is fun for all movie lovers and fans of Cocteau who, under the HD treatment Criterion collection, can rediscover a classic under the HD splendor.

What can I say that has not already been said about this classic - stunning to look at, endlessly evolving in terms of reception - it is undoubtedly a film that must be seen if you are serious at all about films, psychology, art or French culture - wonderful

Atmospheric and emotional experience. Great acting and production was brilliant in this piece.

The classic Cocteau film with the fantasy castle & elaborate costumes, & Jean Marais as an appealing beast.

Jean Cocteau's revival in France made me want to see this, having missed it for decades - it is delicate, arty, self-indulgent and actually lovely - like being kissed by a butterfly.

This movie is a collector's item. IT is a good movie to view, even for a younger audiance. Good story.