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Beauty and the Beast (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Josette Day , Jean Marais    Unrated   Blu-ray
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 54.99
Price: CDN$ 41.24 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
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Product Description

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This is definitely not the Disney version. While it remains faithful to the plot of the classic fairy tale by Leprince de Beaumont, Jean Cocteau's 1946 French romantic fantasy is the product of a sophisticated, mature sensibility in its tones and textures and, above all, in its surprising emotional power. With sparkling black-and-white imagery that, for once, is actually dreamlike rather than cute or kitschy, and with a Beast (Jean Marais) who is almost as glamorous with his silky blonde facial hair as he is clean shaven, the movie casts a seductive spell. It might actually be a little too rich and unsettling for kids. Even the costumes and the draperies are entrancingly ornate. Viewers intoxicated by this enveloping vision should consider moving on to Cocteau's even more aggressively other-worldly 1949 masterpiece Orpheus, in which Marais plays the doomed poet of ancient Greek legend, updated to a Parisian "punk" milieu of motorcycles and black leather. --David Chute

Product Description

The sublime adaptation by Jean Cocteau (Orpheus) of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece—in which the true love of a beautiful girl melts the heart of a feral but gentle beast—is a landmark feat of motion picture fantasy, with unforgettably romantic performances by Jean Marais (Orpheus) and Josette Day (Les parents terribles). 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.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• High-definition digital transfer from restored film elements, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• Composer Philip Glass’s opera La Belle et la Bête, presented in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio as an alternate soundtrack
• 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 director Jean Cocteau, plus restoration trailer from 1995
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Geoffrey O’Brien, a piece on the film by Cocteau, excerpts from Francis Steegmuller’s 1970 book Cocteau: A Biography, and an introduction to Glass’s opera by the composer


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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
By Jamie MacDougall TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray
In French director Jean Cocteau’s 1946 adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Belle’s father is sentenced to death for picking a rose from the Beast’s garden. When Belle goes to his castle in her father’s place, the Beast falls in love with her.

Without a doubt, La Belle et la Bete is one of the most enchanting fairy tales ever put to celluloid. You will be transported to a world of beauty and darkness that’s filled with a dreamlike quality that few films can rival. The movie’s special effects, groundbreaking makeup, soundtrack, cinematography, and the passionate performances by lead actors Jean Marais and Josette Day are all exceptional. It is without a doubt one of my favorite films of all time.

As usual, Criterion does not disappoint with it’s stunning video & audio presentation of this timeless classic that also includes an extensive package of special features. Included are a beautiful illustrated booklet (32 pages), two audio commentaries (one by film historian Arthur Knight and one by writer Sir Christopher Frayling), an alternate soundtrack of Philip Glass’ opera, a photo gallery, four featurettes (totaling about 50 min) and the film’s original French trailer. Very impressive!

Jean Cocteau’s La Belle et la Bete has never looked better than it does on this breathtaking Blu-ray release from Criterion. With a wonderful collection of special features and a film that is pure cinema magic, do yourself a favor and pick up this masterpiece. It belongs in every movie fan’s collection and easily earns my highest recommendation!
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By bernie TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Belle's father (Marcel Andr') has to go to town for business. He asks Belle (Josette Day) what she would like him to bring her. A Rose as there are no roses at home. On his way back from the city he must go through a mysterious forest in the evening. He stumbles upon an enchanted abode. There he is offered food and drink. On his exit the next morning he pilfers a prize rose to fulfill his daughters wish. Now he is confronted by the home owner La B'te (Jean Marais). For his indiscretion he is given the choice of giving up his life or that of his daughter. He returns home to tell the tale.

The story first written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont is adapted by Jean Cocteau to film, also directed by Jean Cocteau.

I could explain the great visual effects and dialog chooses. But it is much better described by the voice over track on the Criterion version. You will be enchanted by this version an will come to make this your favorite.
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5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT STUFF April 7 2004
By A Customer
Format:DVD
THIS IS A GREAT DVD AND YOU CAN GET IT BRAND NEW CRITERION ON OTHER WEBSITES FOR LIKE $30.00, SHOP AROUND!!!!
I LOVE MY COPY.
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Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The beauty and the beast
Long before Disney ever got their grubby paws on it, Jean Cocteau made the ultimate adaptation of the classic French fairy tale "The Beauty and the Beast." And it was... Read more
Published 22 months ago by E. A Solinas
5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty & the Beast
I saw this movie about fifty years ago for the first time and have been enchanted by it ever since. I recommend it to everyone who love old fairy tales.
Published on Aug 20 2010 by Olga Smolik
5.0 out of 5 stars PAINTING WITH BLACK AND WHITE AND SILVER
Cocteau's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will leave an impression on those who are about to see it for the first time. Read more
Published on Feb 25 2004 by JohnK
5.0 out of 5 stars Criterion collection film trashed by Disney
This was a great move for the Criterion Collection to rerelease a film and classic story that was ruined by the Disney version. Read more
Published on Feb 24 2004 by Ted
5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic Of French Cinema: Film Lover's Collection
The 1947 French Cocteau classic, "La Belle Et La Bete" (Beauty and the Beast)was revolutionary in its day and on this new DVD, we get all the scoop on the making of this... Read more
Published on Feb 20 2004 by Rudy Avila
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
This is a beautiful version of the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale. Cocteau creates a dreamlike world of fantasy and illusion. Read more
Published on Feb 19 2004 by A. McGivney
5.0 out of 5 stars "True Experience Must Be Unique." - Cocteau
Beauty and the Beast is based on Madame de Beaumont's fairy tale with the same name, and Cocteau's adaptation is strikingly alike the original with a few exceptions. Read more
Published on Feb 9 2004 by Kim Anehall
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming
Sterling DVD release of a movie that only a heart of stone would dislike; certainly a must-have for Cocteau admirers.
Published on Feb 5 2004 by C. Rubin
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding print
The print is outstanding, the restoration they did on this is nothing short of magnificent. Watch it with music and subtitles (my favorite) or listen to it sung in opera. Read more
Published on Dec 10 2003 by L. Biskup
3.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Not Magical
I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I preferred the animated Disney version of this story to the 1946 Jean Cocteau film. Read more
Published on Dec 2 2003 by brewster22
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