Beauty and the Beast
La Belle et la Bête
France • 1946
Director
#6Criterion Collection →Synopsis
Jean Cocteau’s sublime adaptation of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece—in which the pure love of a beautiful girl melts the heart of a feral but gentle beast—is a landmark of motion picture fantasy, with unforgettably romantic performances by Jean Marais and Josette Day. The spectacular visions of enchantment, desire, and death in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (LA BELLE ET LA BÊTE) have become timeless icons of cinematic wonder.
Synopsis
Jean Cocteau’s sublime adaptation of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece—in which the pure love of a beautiful girl melts the heart of a feral but gentle beast—is a landmark of motion picture fantasy, with unforgettably romantic performances by Jean Marais and Josette Day. The spectacular visions of enchantment, desire, and death in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (LA BELLE ET LA BÊTE) have become timeless icons of cinematic wonder.
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Credits
Crew
DirectorJean Cocteau
WriterJean Cocteau
CinematographerHenri Alekan
ComposerGeorges Auric
EditorClaude Ibéria
Cast
Jean Maraisas La Bête / Le Prince / Avenant
Josette Dayas Belle
Marcel Andréas Belle's Father
Mila Parélyas Félicie
Nane Germonas Adélaïde