 | Andy G. |
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful
This film made me very sad. I am sometimes disgusted with the way that Disney, for lack of a better word, Disney-fies their fairy tales. I think after watching this masterpiece I will have trouble ever being able to go back to the computer generated "Song as Old as Time" version. Never have I been so impressed with black and white cinematography as I have been with this film. The power and emotion that comes between Belle and the Beast feels so true. Cocteau has somehow grabbed the true feeling of two people that are complete opposites that seem to find true love in the coldest of places. Even the special effects seem perfect for this film. Even with budget being sub-par, we are able to get a true feeling that this Beast is one of the magical kind. Oh, this film was superb. I would have to say that it is the best adaptation of a fairy tale that I have seen today. Definitely my best 40s film (made in 1946), and possibly the best telling of Beauty and the Beast EVER! Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | Jeffrey N. |
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
From the opening credits, you can tell this is no Hollywood production. A fairy tale grown up. This timeless fable still stands as one of the more memorable post war French films that led the way to a revolution in film making that the French led for decades.
Another highly recommended film and possibly the greatest French film ever made is Children Of Paradise. Certainly one of the greatest films of all time made during WWII occupied France. Was this review helpful? Yes
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| Lawrence S. |
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
The Art of Cinema at its best. Enthralling and enchanting. Can be watched over and over to see more deft touches of a master's hand unspoilt be Hollywood's boxing glove approach. All within a story that is as relevant today as in the past. Was this review helpful? Yes
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| RACHEL B. |
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
This is a beautiful, classic treatment of a beloved fairy tale. If you love magic and romance, you'll love this movie. Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | Suzanne D. |
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
I thought this movie was very nicely done for the era in which it was made .The special effects at times seem funny but you have to remember the yere it was made in was long befor computer tech took it's hold on the film world. I have seen many versions of this film and for a film with real people it was great for black and white.I wish they would make one know with all the special effects of today it would be grand. Was this review helpful? Yes
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| Edward V. |
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
[UNE CLASSIQUE et ORGINALE]
Voici, une des meilleurs versions de ce film. C'est en francais, et je vous suggere que vous le regardiez avec dialogue francaise avec les soustitres anglaise.
Ce film etait un necessaire dans un cours francais a l'universite l'etat de caroline de nord, et on apprends vite pourquoi.
Amusez-vous avec cette classique francaise.
Aussi, regardez "Le Diner de cons" et "Les Diaboliques", et meme "Amelie". Was this review helpful? Yes
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| Kim C. |
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A wonderful telling of this story, very faithful to the original tale. Beautiful, emotion-filled and visually striking, esp. when you consider when it was filmed. The jealous sisters are SO wicked! Wonderful costumes! Wonderful diologue (even if it IS subtitles). A grown-up movie, but fine for kids to watch, even if they can't read (a bright child can follow the story, but if they can read it will be even better for them.) Go on, take a chance! (Spoiler alert - At the end it is clear that Beauty prefers the Beast to the prince he turns into at the end. A super twist!) Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | James S. |
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful
Cocteau's most accessible film and certainly his most charming. It shows what imagination can do with the simpliest of film techniques. Marais, in three roles reflecting various side of man, is a marvel. Cocteau plumbs the depth of the myth, achieving something the Disney version - which is fine in its own right - never does. The decor is astonishing and the total effect is simply magical. Sad to say, the softness of the original film image doesn't lend itself well to Blu-Ray and those who were hoping for a quantum leap in sharpness and contrast will be disappointed. It's better than Criterion's second edition of the film but not by a great deal. Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | Megan E. |
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
While the cinematography is very jumpy in this film, and the storyline is different from the traditional story, the overall movie is not bad. Worth watching if you like foreign cinema and/or Beauty and the Beast. Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | Dina H. |
0 out of 11 people found this review helpful
The 1946 verison was terrible. Boo! Awful Was this review helpful? Yes
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