Amazon.co.uk Review
The film that officially signalled Disney's animation renaissance and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman, (winning the 1991 Oscar for Best Song and Menken's score won a trophy as well). The downright funniest song is "Gaston", a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication and pure joy. --David Kronke, Amazon.com
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's regular DVD release still offers some special features, but doesn't hold a candle to the Collector's Edition. The "making-of" featurette is informative charting the production from Walt Disney's original idea to the final musical version. "The Story Behind the Story" shows the origins of many of Disney's adapted fairy tales. The two games are fun, if a little slow to load. Celine Dion's original video is slightly on the dull side, but Jump 5's remixed version of "Tale as Old as Time" is just ridiculous. As always the sing-along track is great fun for all budding Belles or Beasts in the house. The transfer is as pristine as could be expected from a 1991 release.
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's two-disc Collector's Edition really is the stuff of fairy tales. Disc 1 has three versions of the movie, the best being the "Work in Progress" edition which offers the unfinished film, sketch lines and all. The theatrical cut has a pristine transfer and the sound is immaculate. The director's commentary relies on a lot on name-dropping and you'll find more interesting insight in the "making-of" feature on the second disc. The sing-a-long track (as with all Disney releases) is fantastic, particularly for such a well-loved score.
Disc 2 is packed full of information, fun and games. The best of the informative features is "Animation Magic", an intelligent look into the production of Disney cartoons. In the games section you'll need to head straight for the West Wing to continue an adventure with Chip (Tip: finish the game "Maurice's Workshop" first), but get your fingers warmed up as it needs a little remote control action. This disc only really falls down on the slowness of some of its games and the appalling remix video of "Tale as Old as Time". --Nikki Disney
Amazon.co.uk Review
The film that officially signalled Disney's animation renaissance and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman, (winning the 1991 Oscar for Best Song and Menken's score won a trophy as well). The downright funniest song is "Gaston", a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication and pure joy. --David Kronke, Amazon.com
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's regular DVD release still offers some special features, but doesn't hold a candle to the Collector's Edition. The "making-of" featurette is informative charting the production from Walt Disney's original idea to the final musical version. "The Story Behind the Story" shows the origins of many of Disney's adapted fairy tales. The two games are fun, if a little slow to load. Celine Dion's original video is slightly on the dull side, but Jump 5's remixed version of "Tale as Old as Time" is just ridiculous. As always the sing-along track is great fun for all budding Belles or Beasts in the house. The transfer is as pristine as could be expected from a 1991 release.
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's two-disc Collector's Edition really is the stuff of fairy tales. Disc 1 has three versions of the movie, the best being the "Work in Progress" edition which offers the unfinished film, sketch lines and all. The theatrical cut has a pristine transfer and the sound is immaculate. The director's commentary relies on a lot on name-dropping and you'll find more interesting insight in the "making-of" feature on the second disc. The sing-a-long track (as with all Disney releases) is fantastic, particularly for such a well-loved score.
Disc 2 is packed full of information, fun and games. The best of the informative features is "Animation Magic", an intelligent look into the production of Disney cartoons. In the games section you'll need to head straight for the West Wing to continue an adventure with Chip (Tip: finish the game "Maurice's Workshop" first), but get your fingers warmed up as it needs a little remote control action. This disc only really falls down on the slowness of some of its games and the appalling remix video of "Tale as Old as Time". --Nikki Disney
Customer Reviews:
Just lovely.......2008-01-16
This is by far my favourate Disney Film. It's innocence is a joy to see in comparision to other more violent childrens films. The annimation is lovely, the songs are a joy and the scene of Beauty and the Beast dancing together never fails to leave both my children singing the tune and asking to go to Disney Land too!
This is a disney film that will not be forgotten as others such as pocahontus were. It is also probably the last good Disney film of it's kind, as they have now elected to focus on computer annimation.
Suspend cynicism and see it through the eyes of a child- it is a truelly beautiful film
What have they done to the colours?!.......2007-08-28
My sister still has the original 1992 video and it is by far superior. Whoever was responsible for the colours on this version should have lost their job - they are not the original colours from the film. Maurice's eyes have been coloured green instead of black, the west wing has been brightened so much it is no longer mysterious and I HATE IT when they put sequences that weren't in the film in the movie, as they did with 'Human Again' This is NOT the film I saw! This scene should have been an extra. They did the same with The Lion King. Thank God The Little Mermaid wasn't messed about with. Restorations should simply preserve what was in the original release, not mess about with it like this. A great shame as it is a fabulous film. I wonder if the 2-disc red box set was better?
An achievement .......2007-04-21
Everyone has a childhood memory and mine is sitting near the fire in winter munching on popcorn/chips/sweets watching the magic of beauty & the beast unfold. I'm still a big kid at heart so give me this movie any day and I will be a very happy person. The beauty of this movie can't be distinctly pin pointed because so many aspects that contribute towards it like the great music (they sing & dance to almost anything) the great characters (beautiful Belle, moody Beast/handsome, joyous prince, the flirtatious candle, the pompous clock, the busty wardrobe are just such a pleasure to watch. The graphics are/were incredible for its time, so Disney has done well! This is a story hopefully many generations will continue to enjoy down the years & the magic of Beauty & the Beast will live on!
My most loved film of all time.......2006-10-06
If theres ever been a film to include such beautiful artwork, enchanting script and music, then Beauty and the Beast fills that catergory. Its been the only film i've ever cried to, simply because of the breathtaking impact it has on you. Its not just the storyline thats compelling, its the way its put on film, and put across. And of course, it proves that loving someone for who they are is far more important than their appearance..
Not to be missed. This is, without a doubt, one of the finest productions of our time..
best Beast of them all.......2006-06-25
I've been ever so slightly obsessed by this fairytale since seeing the 1930s version by Cocteau (from which Disney borrows quite a bit, including the animated suits of armour). However, this version has the genuine element of gothic that sends a little shiver down the spine and takes the edge off Disney cuteness. It begins with a series of stained-glass windows, telling the tale of how a young prince turns away a poor old woman who begs for shelter from a storm, offering a single rose in exchange. She turns into a powerful enchantress, and tells him he will become a hideous Beast unless he can find a maiden to love him before the last petal of the rose falls...
Nine years pass, and Belle, the bookish daughter of an inventor comes to live nearby. She is being courted by the appalling Gaston, a man whose coarse, conceited advances she doesn't deserve (as she puts it wittily, letting him down into a pig's puddle). Gaston is a great comic character, swooned over by the local girls but (as in the Cocteau) he's the true Beast. Belle's father gets lost, and taking shelter in the Beast's castle gets imprisoned by him. This scene is truly frightening for infants, as is the following scene in which Belle, finding his horse Philippe (by far the most sensible and romantic male in the story), sets out through wolf-infested forests to find him.
The Beast agrees to exchange her father for Belle...but only after his wise butler Lumiere hints that she might be "the girl" to break the spell. One of the great joys of this inspired cartoon is the part played by the servants, now tranformed into furniture. Lumiere, the wise and sentimental candlestick, and Mrs Potts (sung by the adorable Angela Lansbury) persuade the good side of the Beast to show itself; but his valet, the conceited clock, is vain and cowardly. The original fairytale only required Belle to reaise she has fallen in love with the Beast, but Disney's scriptwriters improve on this by making the real struggle about the Beast's mastery of his temper and bad manners. ALl the songs are hilarious, with my family favourite being Gaston's song of self-praise, but underneath that is a seriously intelligent script.
Belle is one of the most inspiring heroines (alongside Mulan) that a small girl can have, the opposite of inspid Disney versions of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. However, the Beast is equally important for small boys to internalise. Of course, most adults will find the beastly Beast rather sexy, and the handsome Prince the tiniest bit of a let-down.... This funny, exciting, enchanting and joyous cartoon is far too expensive in its double disc version (though interesting for film buffs.)However, if there's one Disney you should buy, it's this.
Amazon.co.uk Review
The film that officially signalled Disney's animation renaissance and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman, (winning the 1991 Oscar for Best Song and Menken's score won a trophy as well). The downright funniest song is "Gaston", a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication and pure joy. --David Kronke, Amazon.com
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's regular DVD release still offers some special features, but doesn't hold a candle to the Collector's Edition. The "making-of" featurette is informative charting the production from Walt Disney's original idea to the final musical version. "The Story Behind the Story" shows the origins of many of Disney's adapted fairy tales. The two games are fun, if a little slow to load. Celine Dion's original video is slightly on the dull side, but Jump 5's remixed version of "Tale as Old as Time" is just ridiculous. As always the sing-along track is great fun for all budding Belles or Beasts in the house. The transfer is as pristine as could be expected from a 1991 release.
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's two-disc Collector's Edition really is the stuff of fairy tales. Disc 1 has three versions of the movie, the best being the "Work in Progress" edition which offers the unfinished film, sketch lines and all. The theatrical cut has a pristine transfer and the sound is immaculate. The director's commentary relies on a lot on name-dropping and you'll find more interesting insight in the "making-of" feature on the second disc. The sing-a-long track (as with all Disney releases) is fantastic, particularly for such a well-loved score.
Disc 2 is packed full of information, fun and games. The best of the informative features is "Animation Magic", an intelligent look into the production of Disney cartoons. In the games section you'll need to head straight for the West Wing to continue an adventure with Chip (Tip: finish the game "Maurice's Workshop" first), but get your fingers warmed up as it needs a little remote control action. This disc only really falls down on the slowness of some of its games and the appalling remix video of "Tale as Old as Time". --Nikki Disney
Amazon.co.uk Review
The film that officially signalled Disney's animation renaissance and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman, (winning the 1991 Oscar for Best Song and Menken's score won a trophy as well). The downright funniest song is "Gaston", a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication and pure joy. --David Kronke, Amazon.com
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's regular DVD release still offers some special features, but doesn't hold a candle to the Collector's Edition. The "making-of" featurette is informative charting the production from Walt Disney's original idea to the final musical version. "The Story Behind the Story" shows the origins of many of Disney's adapted fairy tales. The two games are fun, if a little slow to load. Celine Dion's original video is slightly on the dull side, but Jump 5's remixed version of "Tale as Old as Time" is just ridiculous. As always the sing-along track is great fun for all budding Belles or Beasts in the house. The transfer is as pristine as could be expected from a 1991 release.
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's two-disc Collector's Edition really is the stuff of fairy tales. Disc 1 has three versions of the movie, the best being the "Work in Progress" edition which offers the unfinished film, sketch lines and all. The theatrical cut has a pristine transfer and the sound is immaculate. The director's commentary relies on a lot on name-dropping and you'll find more interesting insight in the "making-of" feature on the second disc. The sing-a-long track (as with all Disney releases) is fantastic, particularly for such a well-loved score.
Disc 2 is packed full of information, fun and games. The best of the informative features is "Animation Magic", an intelligent look into the production of Disney cartoons. In the games section you'll need to head straight for the West Wing to continue an adventure with Chip (Tip: finish the game "Maurice's Workshop" first), but get your fingers warmed up as it needs a little remote control action. This disc only really falls down on the slowness of some of its games and the appalling remix video of "Tale as Old as Time". --Nikki Disney
Customer Reviews:
Just lovely.......2008-01-16
This is by far my favourate Disney Film. It's innocence is a joy to see in comparision to other more violent childrens films. The annimation is lovely, the songs are a joy and the scene of Beauty and the Beast dancing together never fails to leave both my children singing the tune and asking to go to Disney Land too!
This is a disney film that will not be forgotten as others such as pocahontus were. It is also probably the last good Disney film of it's kind, as they have now elected to focus on computer annimation.
Suspend cynicism and see it through the eyes of a child- it is a truelly beautiful film
What have they done to the colours?!.......2007-08-28
My sister still has the original 1992 video and it is by far superior. Whoever was responsible for the colours on this version should have lost their job - they are not the original colours from the film. Maurice's eyes have been coloured green instead of black, the west wing has been brightened so much it is no longer mysterious and I HATE IT when they put sequences that weren't in the film in the movie, as they did with 'Human Again' This is NOT the film I saw! This scene should have been an extra. They did the same with The Lion King. Thank God The Little Mermaid wasn't messed about with. Restorations should simply preserve what was in the original release, not mess about with it like this. A great shame as it is a fabulous film. I wonder if the 2-disc red box set was better?
An achievement .......2007-04-21
Everyone has a childhood memory and mine is sitting near the fire in winter munching on popcorn/chips/sweets watching the magic of beauty & the beast unfold. I'm still a big kid at heart so give me this movie any day and I will be a very happy person. The beauty of this movie can't be distinctly pin pointed because so many aspects that contribute towards it like the great music (they sing & dance to almost anything) the great characters (beautiful Belle, moody Beast/handsome, joyous prince, the flirtatious candle, the pompous clock, the busty wardrobe are just such a pleasure to watch. The graphics are/were incredible for its time, so Disney has done well! This is a story hopefully many generations will continue to enjoy down the years & the magic of Beauty & the Beast will live on!
My most loved film of all time.......2006-10-06
If theres ever been a film to include such beautiful artwork, enchanting script and music, then Beauty and the Beast fills that catergory. Its been the only film i've ever cried to, simply because of the breathtaking impact it has on you. Its not just the storyline thats compelling, its the way its put on film, and put across. And of course, it proves that loving someone for who they are is far more important than their appearance..
Not to be missed. This is, without a doubt, one of the finest productions of our time..
best Beast of them all.......2006-06-25
I've been ever so slightly obsessed by this fairytale since seeing the 1930s version by Cocteau (from which Disney borrows quite a bit, including the animated suits of armour). However, this version has the genuine element of gothic that sends a little shiver down the spine and takes the edge off Disney cuteness. It begins with a series of stained-glass windows, telling the tale of how a young prince turns away a poor old woman who begs for shelter from a storm, offering a single rose in exchange. She turns into a powerful enchantress, and tells him he will become a hideous Beast unless he can find a maiden to love him before the last petal of the rose falls...
Nine years pass, and Belle, the bookish daughter of an inventor comes to live nearby. She is being courted by the appalling Gaston, a man whose coarse, conceited advances she doesn't deserve (as she puts it wittily, letting him down into a pig's puddle). Gaston is a great comic character, swooned over by the local girls but (as in the Cocteau) he's the true Beast. Belle's father gets lost, and taking shelter in the Beast's castle gets imprisoned by him. This scene is truly frightening for infants, as is the following scene in which Belle, finding his horse Philippe (by far the most sensible and romantic male in the story), sets out through wolf-infested forests to find him.
The Beast agrees to exchange her father for Belle...but only after his wise butler Lumiere hints that she might be "the girl" to break the spell. One of the great joys of this inspired cartoon is the part played by the servants, now tranformed into furniture. Lumiere, the wise and sentimental candlestick, and Mrs Potts (sung by the adorable Angela Lansbury) persuade the good side of the Beast to show itself; but his valet, the conceited clock, is vain and cowardly. The original fairytale only required Belle to reaise she has fallen in love with the Beast, but Disney's scriptwriters improve on this by making the real struggle about the Beast's mastery of his temper and bad manners. ALl the songs are hilarious, with my family favourite being Gaston's song of self-praise, but underneath that is a seriously intelligent script.
Belle is one of the most inspiring heroines (alongside Mulan) that a small girl can have, the opposite of inspid Disney versions of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. However, the Beast is equally important for small boys to internalise. Of course, most adults will find the beastly Beast rather sexy, and the handsome Prince the tiniest bit of a let-down.... This funny, exciting, enchanting and joyous cartoon is far too expensive in its double disc version (though interesting for film buffs.)However, if there's one Disney you should buy, it's this.
Customer Reviews:
Another Disney Distinction!.......2004-08-29
I know every single one of us has seen at least one Disney animated musical. On this account, I have to say that "Beauty & the Beast" is a very colorful and delightful movie for people of all ages. Children will love the animation and the crazy characters, such as the hilarious enchanted furniture. Others may enjoy the catchy and unique songs, the most popular being the theme "Beauty and the Beast" and also "Be Our Guest."
MAGICAL.......2002-11-08
This film is a delight for all not just the kids. All your favourite characters are there and the singing and dancing is fantastic too. The story it's self is good although I don't want to give the plot away. Needless to say Belle and the gang are on top form in this film like all the rest. Buy it the kids won't be disappointed and neither will you.
Amazon.co.uk Review
The film that officially signalled Disney's animation renaissance and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman, (winning the 1991 Oscar for Best Song and Menken's score won a trophy as well). The downright funniest song is "Gaston", a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication and pure joy. --David Kronke, Amazon.com
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's regular DVD release still offers some special features, but doesn't hold a candle to the Collector's Edition. The "making-of" featurette is informative charting the production from Walt Disney's original idea to the final musical version. "The Story Behind the Story" shows the origins of many of Disney's adapted fairy tales. The two games are fun, if a little slow to load. Celine Dion's original video is slightly on the dull side, but Jump 5's remixed version of "Tale as Old as Time" is just ridiculous. As always the sing-along track is great fun for all budding Belles or Beasts in the house. The transfer is as pristine as could be expected from a 1991 release.
On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's two-disc Collector's Edition really is the stuff of fairy tales. Disc 1 has three versions of the movie, the best being the "Work in Progress" edition which offers the unfinished film, sketch lines and all. The theatrical cut has a pristine transfer and the sound is immaculate. The director's commentary relies on a lot on name-dropping and you'll find more interesting insight in the "making-of" feature on the second disc. The sing-a-long track (as with all Disney releases) is fantastic, particularly for such a well-loved score.
Disc 2 is packed full of information, fun and games. The best of the informative features is "Animation Magic", an intelligent look into the production of Disney cartoons. In the games section you'll need to head straight for the West Wing to continue an adventure with Chip (Tip: finish the game "Maurice's Workshop" first), but get your fingers warmed up as it needs a little remote control action. This disc only really falls down on the slowness of some of its games and the appalling remix video of "Tale as Old as Time". --Nikki Disney
Customer Reviews:
Just lovely.......2008-01-16
This is by far my favourate Disney Film. It's innocence is a joy to see in comparision to other more violent childrens films. The annimation is lovely, the songs are a joy and the scene of Beauty and the Beast dancing together never fails to leave both my children singing the tune and asking to go to Disney Land too!
This is a disney film that will not be forgotten as others such as pocahontus were. It is also probably the last good Disney film of it's kind, as they have now elected to focus on computer annimation.
Suspend cynicism and see it through the eyes of a child- it is a truelly beautiful film
What have they done to the colours?!.......2007-08-28
My sister still has the original 1992 video and it is by far superior. Whoever was responsible for the colours on this version should have lost their job - they are not the original colours from the film. Maurice's eyes have been coloured green instead of black, the west wing has been brightened so much it is no longer mysterious and I HATE IT when they put sequences that weren't in the film in the movie, as they did with 'Human Again' This is NOT the film I saw! This scene should have been an extra. They did the same with The Lion King. Thank God The Little Mermaid wasn't messed about with. Restorations should simply preserve what was in the original release, not mess about with it like this. A great shame as it is a fabulous film. I wonder if the 2-disc red box set was better?
An achievement .......2007-04-21
Everyone has a childhood memory and mine is sitting near the fire in winter munching on popcorn/chips/sweets watching the magic of beauty & the beast unfold. I'm still a big kid at heart so give me this movie any day and I will be a very happy person. The beauty of this movie can't be distinctly pin pointed because so many aspects that contribute towards it like the great music (they sing & dance to almost anything) the great characters (beautiful Belle, moody Beast/handsome, joyous prince, the flirtatious candle, the pompous clock, the busty wardrobe are just such a pleasure to watch. The graphics are/were incredible for its time, so Disney has done well! This is a story hopefully many generations will continue to enjoy down the years & the magic of Beauty & the Beast will live on!
My most loved film of all time.......2006-10-06
If theres ever been a film to include such beautiful artwork, enchanting script and music, then Beauty and the Beast fills that catergory. Its been the only film i've ever cried to, simply because of the breathtaking impact it has on you. Its not just the storyline thats compelling, its the way its put on film, and put across. And of course, it proves that loving someone for who they are is far more important than their appearance..
Not to be missed. This is, without a doubt, one of the finest productions of our time..
best Beast of them all.......2006-06-25
I've been ever so slightly obsessed by this fairytale since seeing the 1930s version by Cocteau (from which Disney borrows quite a bit, including the animated suits of armour). However, this version has the genuine element of gothic that sends a little shiver down the spine and takes the edge off Disney cuteness. It begins with a series of stained-glass windows, telling the tale of how a young prince turns away a poor old woman who begs for shelter from a storm, offering a single rose in exchange. She turns into a powerful enchantress, and tells him he will become a hideous Beast unless he can find a maiden to love him before the last petal of the rose falls...
Nine years pass, and Belle, the bookish daughter of an inventor comes to live nearby. She is being courted by the appalling Gaston, a man whose coarse, conceited advances she doesn't deserve (as she puts it wittily, letting him down into a pig's puddle). Gaston is a great comic character, swooned over by the local girls but (as in the Cocteau) he's the true Beast. Belle's father gets lost, and taking shelter in the Beast's castle gets imprisoned by him. This scene is truly frightening for infants, as is the following scene in which Belle, finding his horse Philippe (by far the most sensible and romantic male in the story), sets out through wolf-infested forests to find him.
The Beast agrees to exchange her father for Belle...but only after his wise butler Lumiere hints that she might be "the girl" to break the spell. One of the great joys of this inspired cartoon is the part played by the servants, now tranformed into furniture. Lumiere, the wise and sentimental candlestick, and Mrs Potts (sung by the adorable Angela Lansbury) persuade the good side of the Beast to show itself; but his valet, the conceited clock, is vain and cowardly. The original fairytale only required Belle to reaise she has fallen in love with the Beast, but Disney's scriptwriters improve on this by making the real struggle about the Beast's mastery of his temper and bad manners. ALl the songs are hilarious, with my family favourite being Gaston's song of self-praise, but underneath that is a seriously intelligent script.
Belle is one of the most inspiring heroines (alongside Mulan) that a small girl can have, the opposite of inspid Disney versions of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. However, the Beast is equally important for small boys to internalise. Of course, most adults will find the beastly Beast rather sexy, and the handsome Prince the tiniest bit of a let-down.... This funny, exciting, enchanting and joyous cartoon is far too expensive in its double disc version (though interesting for film buffs.)However, if there's one Disney you should buy, it's this.
DVD:
- Bedknobs And Broomsticks [1971]
- Bob the Builder - Series 1
- Bratz - The Movie [2007]
- Button Moon - Adventures On Button Moon [1980]
- Cat In The Hat, The [2004]
- Cinderella - A Twist In Time
- Cinderella (Special Edition) [1950]
- Clangers - Series 1 - Complete
- Cry Baby (Directors Edition) [1990]
- Dinosaur (Disney) (2000)
DVD List
DVD
![Beauty And The Beast [1992]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21XSDPXHPFL.jpg)
Animation
|
Disney
|
Children's DVD
|
Categories
|
DVD
|
Video
![Sleeping Beauty [1958]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005U1X9.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Sleeping Beauty [1958]
![Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs [1938]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000057833.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs [1938]
![Pinocchio : Special Edition [1940]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004L8J1.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Pinocchio : Special Edition [1940]
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Aladdin [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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