La Belle et La Bête
FR 93m Dir: Jean Cocteau
Based on: Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont (Fairy Tale)
Whilst I enjoy the fairy tale adaptions made by Disney, they always feel sanitized and lack the dark edge of the original stories. This original film version of the story really nails that tone.
Belle's father (Marcel André) attempts to steal a rose but is caught by the Beast (Jean Marais). He says he will kill Belle's father or instead have possession of one of his daughters instead. Belle (Josette Day) stays at the Beast's castle and after initially being scared of the Beast begins to form an attachment to him. Belle begs to be allowed to visit her father and the Beast trusts her with a key that ensures he stays alive.
The production values of this film are really impressive. There's a long sequence where Belle's father arrives at the castle and the film allows time for both him and the audience to admire the incredible sets. There are some really clever effects with moving arms and faces embedded into the castle. The makeup on the Beast is stunningly good, complete with ears that were moved by a man hiding behind him. It all combines to create this dark, fantastical world.
Little is changed from the Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont story which is told quite simplistically using fairly limited dialogue. Though there remains a slightly unsettling Stockholm Syndrome element to the story, I thought it was beautifully told here. I really liked how it made the characters very human- the beast is both awful and wonderful at the same time. Belle's emotions are really complicated in this version, much more sophisticated than simply just falling in love. Even at the end, her relationship with the former beast is complicated.
There are some really horrible characters in this version too. Belle her has two horrible sisters who act like members of the aristocracy and make Belle do housework which feels very Cinderella- of course, many of these old fairy tales have crossovers. Avenant is the equivalent of Gaston in the Disney version though is more subtly awful- he is the real beast of the story.
A beautifully made, dark and magical fairy tale.
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