This is the movie that I'm really ashamed of falling behind on reviewing. Thank God I rented this early and watched it before I got around to watching Back to the Future. That review is just not going to happen for weeks.
This isn't my first Cocteau. I watched his Orpheic Trilogy and my brain went wonky. The guy is crazy talented. I mean, obscenely, artistically on a different world that the rest of us only get to imagine. The odd thing that I really love about Cocteau is that his special effects all make sense and seem crazy simply to make, but are extremely effective. Cocteau really lives in a mode similar to silent filmmakers. Silent filmmakers had really simple effects that were powerful because leaps and bounds in special effects hadn't happened yet. So instead of these fake, we're trying to pull the wool over your eyes visuals, there's a beauty and innocence to all of his shots. You know how the world of the Beast comes alive and it just makes sense. He really is almost more of a stage director than he is a film director. Just the practicality of the way he films. I mean, his titles for the films that I see are always chalk writing done by himself. He's just got this style that screams his personality and it is great. In many ways, that drawing that I always see from him is kind of representative of his mentality.
The story of Beauty and the Beast is pretty readily laid out. I used to know the actual story pretty well before Disney bastardized the hell out of it. Actually, I was sitting there somewhat impressed that Disney was as faithful as it was. After all, I'm pretty sure Pocahontas didn't work out exactly like that. Heck, there were times that I broke out into "No one fights like Gaston" and "Beauty and King Dork." (Critic fans, anyone? Anyone? Forget about it. The show actually wasn't that great if you watch the episodes back-to-back.) But there really was a great romance to this story. The original story is pretty epic in scope, with Belle slowly falling in love with the Beast over time. In this case, the love story was a little rushed for the sake of pacing. After all, there's only so much of her hanging around a magic castle that you can really handle before the story gets to be a bit tedious.
I did have to say that it was an interesting choice having the one actor, Jean Marais, play the triple part of the French suitor, the Beast, and the human Beast. I mean, I know that Cocteau stressed the importance of how troubling it was that the Beast naturally looked like the jerk we had grown to hate throughout the movie, but it just seemed odd. Sure, it made it really convienient when that guy changes over. (Sorry for ruining the movie for you.) But I guess this segues into my next discussion point of the homosexual references within the story. Now, the 501 book goes into length about it. I'm sure that they're probably right about it, but I didn't go into the movie looking to find it, so I didn't see it. I think the tale is just objectively timeless and beautiful, so maybe the movie is more objective than any kinds of interpretations that either viewer or director can really attach to the film.
I really loved this movie. It was absolutely beautiful and it felt really personal. Maybe whenever contemporary Disney makes a movie, it just feels like the movie is already sold out. It is great to see this movie without that kind of shameless filmmaking attached. I understand Disney makes movies for kids, but there's always a bit of soul-selling within the movies and this movie doesn't have any of that. It is just a gorgeous film that I really had a marvelous time with and would watch again in a heartbeat.
Here's another lesson of how all the CGI in the world can't do shit against a creative use of traditional effects. Yes, the beast looks like a stuffed doll, but it never works against the dreamy atmosphere of the film. It's those rare type of films that you can say that you "dream it" instead of "i watched" and that's in the best sense possible.
This is the greatest, most accurate, and astounding film version of a fairy tale ever. A simple French story is elevated by Cocteau's poetic vision -- the painted faces posing as statues which follow the characters are creepy, but beautiful, the diamond tears are a unique and moving image. Truly though, it is Jean Marais as The Beast that gives the film its power. The makeup is one thing, to this day it remains believable and fantastic, but it's the humanity within his eyes and speech that projects forth and captures your attention. To be completely honest, his performance is one of my all-time favorites. I could study the nuisances, eccentricities and vulnerabilities in it for days and days on end and never tire of seeing his animalistic fits, or princely courtesy and tenderness for Belle. Yes, his transformation into the pretty boy prince is a bit of a letdown compared to the sweet, tender, conflicted Beast that preceded it.
There's no use comparing the two versions of the Beauty and the Beast; each has its own magical finesse. "La Belle et la Bete" is probably the version that "mature" cinephiles prefer. I'd say that I like it just as much as the '91 version. I mean, just look at the effects! And I love the scene where Josette Day first enters the enchanted mansion.
Una gran pelicula detallada que me atrevo a incluir en un clasico del cine. Es impresionante su calidad, frescura y avance; muchisimo mejor que el 90% de las peliculas ficticias o basadas en algun cuento, historia o comic. Increible... lo unico que tengo que decir: DEJA LA COMPU Y CORRE POR ELLA jajaja.
Bella, Bella, Bella. A wonderful, magical story, with fantastic imagery, which other less talented directors often try to imitate. The best version of Beauty and The Beast I have seen.
I haven't seen a lot of early french films but do all the actors still feel like it's the Silent era and act accordingly?
This one's pretty steep in melodrama but for the story of Beauty and the Beast it's fairly appropriate. The romantic nature of the film is at just right the level and some of the special effects and sets reach real dream like levels (beast's make-up beats Lon Chaney's wolfman for sure.)
Fantastic costume fantasy, but I'm going to agree with Garbo. I don't think I'm spoiling anything by telling you the Beast tranforms into a Prince at the end but when you get the Prince, you are sure as hell going to miss that beast.
A splendid film that is superbly handled. Reading the original story and comparing, I was amazed at how similar themes was handled and yet, in the film, it brought out a delightful charm that worked nicely. I adored the ending where the female's reaction, at being cheated for her leap and the beast, selling out. Allegorical no doubt. Beautiful imagery that brings out the sense of mystique, particularly the scene where she explores the castle, done in sublime slow motion that allows the audience to anticipate and feel the thrill and the fear up till the meeting with Beast. Amazing film from Cocteau.
Maybe the best adaptation from the classic history, the oniric atmosphere works very well and make you feel inside in a beautiful and timeless fairy tale.
A wonderful relic of poetic French filmmaking. Arguably one of the most beautifully shot and designed fantasy films ever, the one area that lets it down is the editing. Disney's wonderful animated musical version of the story owes much to Cocteau's startling imagery. Only the coldest of hearts could fail to fall for this sumptuous production!
There were some really awesome effects. I don't prefer this over the Disney version. At least the Disney version had a singing candle and an ottoman that was like a dog! Just kidding, really.
Indescribably lush, gorgeous retelling of the mythos. The film feels somewhat flat at first but becomes pure magic once the titular beast's castle makes its first appearance. The scene where Belle first enters his domain may very well be the most gorgeously staged, shot and edited sequence I have ever seen, and it is definitely on my short list of favorites.
It can be argued that the tale has strong sexual undertones, particularly this version, but the title card at the beginning sets up a simpler, innocent, child-like movie going experience.
I may not have fallen googly-eyed in love with the film, as I expected to (not for ALL of it anyways, though I'll certainly be rewatching it quite a few times) but it is amazing in its own right.
I watched this movie for the first time in Claudon's History of the Western Man class. I was hooked! This is one of the greatest interpretations of Beauty and the Beast! Very artistic in nature. I love how the Beast talks and the random smoke that shows up whenever he's near.
The best cinematic adaptation of this story and one that inspires again and again. Definitely a fantastic flick for preparing to watch Pan's Labyrinth or Legend.
MCT:September 5, 2008
MCT:August 12, 2008
MCT:July 28, 2008
MCT:April 2, 2008
MCT:March 21, 2008
