Beauty and the Beast [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Jean Cocteau

Overview

In Jean Cocteau's haunting, lyrical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, a merchant is told that he must die for picking a rose from the Beast's garden. However, his courageous daughter Josette offers to give herself up to the Beast instead. Eventually, Josette is drawn to the strangely fascinating Beast.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/19/2011
UPC:	0715515081313
Original Release:	1946
Rating:	NR
Source:	Criterion
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:33:00
Sales rank:	316

Special Features

Two Commentaries: One by Film Historian Arthur Knight and one by Writer and Cultural Historian Sir Christopher Frayling; Screening at the Majestic, a 1995 Documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew; Interview with Cinematographer Henri Alekan; Rare behind-the-scenes photos and publicity stills; Film restoration demonstration; Original Trailer, Directed and Narrated by Jean Cocteau, and the 1995 restoration trailer; ; Plus: A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Geoffrey O'Brien, a 1947 piece on the film by Cocteau, and the film by Cocteau, excerpts from Francis Steegmuller's 1970 Cocteau: A Biography, and an introduction to Glass's opera by the composer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jean Marais	The Beast/Avenant
Josette Day	Belle
Marcel Andre	Belle's Father
Mila Parely	Felicie
Nane Germon	Felice
Michel Auclair	Ludovic
Raoul Marco	The Usurer
Georges Auric	Actor,Composer
Jean Cocteau	Magic objects [uncredited]
Alan Menken	Composer

Technical Credits

Jean Cocteau

Jean Cocteau	Screenwriter
Andre Paulve	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Jean Cocteau's most popular film, this 1946 masterpiece is perhaps the most faithful of the many film versions of the 1756 fairy tale written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. Though the ending is a bit on the strange side -- the Beast morphs into a prince who looks exactly like Belle's hapless suitor, and her disappointment is unmistakable -- the film features tight, economical storytelling and enough visual fireworks (including many stunningly executed optical effects) to enrapture viewers from beginning to end. The actors are uniformly wonderful: Josette Day makes a stunning Belle, and Cocteau regular Jean Marais excels in a triple role that includes the magnificent Beast. The real stars of the film, though, are Cocteau himself, who gives the film a shimmering, romantic look, and the brilliant costume and set design. The Beast's make-up, in particular, works beautifully; it's just realistic enough to be convincing, while allowing Marais to emote through his eyes and subtle facial tics. The unforgettable sets, which include human arm candelabras and moving statues, are a marvel of impressionistic romanticism, filled with symbolism that hints at the story's darker implications. Forget Disney -- this is the closest anyone's come to capturing the essence of a fairy tale on film. Mark Pittillo