Beauty and the Beast

 

 

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c'est de loin ma series prefere que je possede une piece de collection pour les nostalgiques de cette histoire qui a fait un triumph a la tele,mais en etre le proprietaire et d'en profiter a notre quise a la maison quand on veut c'est des instant magique a revoir et encore.

I purchased the complete series in the fall of 2010. Love the whole thing. Vincent and Catherine's story is so touching that I am watching it for the second time. My only problem with this series is the quality of the DVDs. The whole second season stops, starts, pixilates and drives me crazy. I really wish I'd kept my receipt so I could try to exchange the set for an other one which hopefully would work better.

If you are at all romantic or into fantasy, try this story but check the quality of your DVDs before it's too late.

I was in my early teen (about 12) when the show was originally aired, and it definitely was my favorite show. I was even more addicted to it than my previous love, Knight Rider, which I loved as a kid. So far, I have watched the first 3 DVDs (12 episodes), which is half the first season. I do not have much spare time, but I like watching one episode every time I have 45 minutes to spare before going to bed.

During each episode, I am surprised to notice how much I remember of it. Though there are moments which I didn't remember at all, most of the time I remember from the very first minutes the entire story for the episode, and there is no single episode which I've seen more than once before. My only surprise came from the fact that I originally watched the show in its French translation, and I found that Vincent's voice was very different from my memory, but I quickly adapted to that change and actually think it is probably better than the translation which I remember (though I have not recently seen a translation to which to compare).

To fully appreciate this show, one has to accept (and like) the fact that it was written in the 80s, and thus the entire setup and feel of the show does not match anything from today's television shows. The style back then was different, the environment was different, the budget was different, and the staging was a lot closer to theater than it is today. I didn't remember the show does not use much special effects at all, and the lack of these is often hidden by moving the camera away from the action, so only your child mind is able to make up for what technology could not offer at the time. Combat and violence are very implicit (you know Vincent just killed another villain, but you don't really see anything).

My now adult mind spare a lot of time on technical details which my child mind missed back then. Not only do I like the show and how it was written, but now I know why. This show was well written. These writers knew how to captivate the audience into upbeat until the final scene unfold and leaves you asking for more. All characters are very detailed, even the secondary ones which are only there for one single episodes. One fact which I noticed right away as an adult, and which I couldn't have even understood as a child (and which I confirmed later by a research), is that the show was filmed in 35 mm (the theatrical movie's format until digital kicked in), which has definitely never been common for television. Though the film is clearly of lower quality than what you used to see in a theater, it gives a style to the show that set it apart from the rest, if only you are the kind of person to appreciate the difference (not everyone is likely to even notice that difference).

This DVD release really gives the show its best appearance, given the limited quality of the original recording. Don't take me wrong though, the quality is good, but remember it's recorded over 20 years ago, with different technologies, so it doesn't use much of your modern HD TV. I'm sure it looks better than pretty much anything recorded at the same era. The visuals are actually astounding, if you are able to see through the imperfections of the media, and very few modern show can compare to this artistic master piece. I know there is a Blu-Ray release in the planning, but I don't see how it could give you anything better than this, as the DVD already offers a much better resolution than what the original media gave.

I only got two complaints, and they are light. Like many others, I don't really like the art of the outer box. Though I understand the concept, which must have been good on paper, Vincent's profile ended up really bad on the final design, and I don't think he looks as good as he should. The other arts inside the box, however, (on the cover of each of the books and on every page inside of them) are very good and inspiring. The first disc has two commercials, which you have to watch every time you play the DVD. One for Beverly Hills 90210, which show I didn't care much for at the time (you better turn down the volume before playing the disc, if you don't want your fourth neighbor to hear the 90210 theme), and another 80s show which I had never heard of before. Good thing though, you will forget all about those once you reach for the second disc, since there are no commercials on any other of the discs.

If you like romance, story and art above action, this is going to captivate you, no matter if you see it with nostalgia or discover it for the very first time. You will ask more of the building relationship of Catherine and Vincent after each episode. You will want more of Father, Mouse, Tom, and all those characters which are part of who I am. You will want to dream of the New York's underground more and more.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty And The Beast
I love this show. I never heard of it before (it was made the year I was born) but by chance I watched an episode and I was hooked. Love, love, love it.

Published 7 months ago by Sarah Lee Dempsey

5.0 out of 5 stars Actors' Names
I'm curious as to why Linda Hamiltons' name is not listed in the Amazon product description....all the other actors names are mentioned.

Published 10 months ago by Sheila Anne

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive Perspective on Beauty and the Beast The Boxed Set
I was completely captivated by the 1980s television series Beauty and the Beast, which is a touching love story about a man and a woman from different worlds, set in New York... Read more

Published on Jan 14 2010 by Karen L. Haws-Dearing

5.0 out of 5 stars HEAVEN
Its wonderful to go to a place and dream and relax and feel safe...
I also like the fact that Ron and linda are doing some chatting in between the stories...thanks for that...

Published on Oct 21 2009 by Brenda Darlene Spooner

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