Beauty And The Beast - 1946

About Beauty And The Beast

"Beauty and the Beast" (French: La Belle et la Bête) is a 1946 French romantic fantasy film directed by film-maker Jean Cocteau. The movie tells the story of the gentle Belle and the Beast, who is actually a cursed prince. The Beast must win Belle’s love in order to become human again. If he fails, he will be doomed to remain a beast forever.

Making / Production

The film was an undertaking of monumental proportions, not just for director Jean Cocteau but for the whole French film industry. The production was plagued with difficulties, from budget overruns to on-set accidents, but the perseverance of the cast and crew resulted in a film that remains a milestone in cinema history.

Actors

• Jean Marais - Played Beast / Prince / Avenant. Jean was praised for his dual role, displaying his range between the monstrous Beast and charming Prince.
• Josette Day - Played Belle. Her portrayal of the delicate yet strong-willed Belle was acclaimed.
• Milal Parely - Played Félicie, Belle's selfish sister. His act added a dimension of conflict and intrigue in the story.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Jean Cocteau was heavily influenced by the work of Gustave Doré, a 19th-century illustrator known for his detailed engravings. This influence can be seen in the film's mystical, fairy-tale aesthetic.
• The filmmakers used a simple trick to create the effect of the Beast's smoking hands: Jean Marais wore gloves soaked in a flammable solution that was carefully ignited.

Awards

"Beauty and the Beast" was awarded the Prix Louis Delluc in 1946, and was also a nominee for Best Art Direction at the 19th Academy Awards.

Quotes

• "You must promise to stay here forever."
• "I know how to be cruel. I break hearts. And I rejoice in breaking them."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Georges Auric, a member of the influential group of French composers known as Les Six.
• The songs "Belle and the Prince" and "Magnificent Castle" are standouts, adding to the film's fairy tale quality.