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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Jean Cocteau made "La Belle et la bête" in 1946, after the occupation of France when the french film industry was at a low. What is interesting is that the film is mythic, based on an old fairy tale, and that this enraged some intellectuals at the time. Like Jean-Paul Sartre who accused Cocteau for being non-political! Cocteau was instead interested in the imaginary, mythic reality and the plight of the artist, which was seen as controversial and/or maybe avante garde by some. This and other interesting bits of information is being told in the excellent commentary track (by cultural historian Christopher Frayling) of this DVD from Bfi. Interesting is also how the Disney version is based mostly on Cocteau's ideas, from how the beast looks to the enchanted castle with animated doors, candelabras, statues etc.
The film itself is a classic, and a powerful piece of imaginary vision, despite the low budget non-cgi special effects. Maybe this gives it a certain quality. The transfer of the DVD is good, especially for a film over 60 years old, there are no scratches and details are good especially on close ups, but some parts may look a little soft.
Given the good transfer, excellent commentary track and this film being important in the history of cinema, I can safely recommend it.
The film itself is a classic, and a powerful piece of imaginary vision, despite the low budget non-cgi special effects. Maybe this gives it a certain quality. The transfer of the DVD is good, especially for a film over 60 years old, there are no scratches and details are good especially on close ups, but some parts may look a little soft.
Given the good transfer, excellent commentary track and this film being important in the history of cinema, I can safely recommend it.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This has always been my favourite fairy tale and this old black and white film is true to the original story. Limited though it must have been whilst making the film it uses many simple props to great effect. Entirely in French with subtitles this is a film for anyones library in particular if you love art and want to thrill - and keep youngsters quiet for one or two hours. Ours made masks after the film and were totally enthralled by the spooky beast and the real arms holding candelabras. There is also an interesting book enclosed with the DVD and it is possible to download Philip Glass's music at quite low cost to play during the film. Perhaps it would make a great evening event with a few close friends who are into 'Tales from Europe' style film.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Cocteau's realisation of the tale of Beauty and the Beast is captivating. Its imaginitive special effects stand the test of time and are beautifully integrated into the director's overall vision.
Humorous, surprising and moving, it does not shirk from exploring the darker themes of domination and submission and the enormous power of sexual desire but does so with a magical lightness of touch.
Humorous, surprising and moving, it does not shirk from exploring the darker themes of domination and submission and the enormous power of sexual desire but does so with a magical lightness of touch.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well...it's French
This film is classed a masterpiece and I can understand why if we limit ourselves to the shots and arty-farty sequences that are interspersed throughout the film. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alex da Silva
A Beautiful Film and Beautifully presented!
The way the BFI have produced and presented this DVD is fantastic with a booklet on the history and behind the scenes of the making of the film and the story. Read more
Published 8 months ago by ClassicFilmFan2011
Magical in every way
This film is one of the all time classics of cinema. While Hollywood offered us the high budget Wizard of Oz, European cinema offers us a far lower budget film of huge beauty and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by tallmanbaby
'once upon a time..........
This 2008 disc offers the fully restored film and not the BFI version previously available in the purple box that also claimed it was a restoration. Read more
Published 16 months ago by A. S. Potts
fantastic
Made in 1946, this black and white film starts with beautifully costumed and light-hearted action. The setting is 17th century France... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Oska
Fairy tale for grown ups
I had seen this film when I was a teenager 20 years ago and I was delighted to be able to view this DVD version of this wonderful film. Read more
Published 19 months ago by V. Viale
In my view...
If you can play Region One then do not buy this BFI edition of this beautiful film. Buy the Criterion Collection disc; it is far superior in every way
Published on 29 Jan 2010 by Bill H
JEAN COCTEAU
JEAN COCTEAU MADE AN OUSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA AND JEAN MARAIS RESPONDED AS AN ACTOR....PERHAPS NOT SURPRISING AS THEY WERE LOVERS FOR A TIME! Read more
Published on 13 April 2009 by Mr. J. E. Thorpe
Bien
I love fairy tales so wanted to get this film. I was not dissappointed. I had heard that some of the Disney cartoon elements came from this version and it appears to be true,... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2009 by Widget
La Belle et La Bete
I first saw this film more years ago than I care to remember. I loved it then and I still do. It is classic Cocteau. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2009 by D. L. Ashcroft-nowicki
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