La belle et la bête

I shouldn’t hold it against Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” for being many’s go-to film version of the story. The one I can resent is you, the reader who won't believe me when I tell you that this 1946 black-and-white adaptation is so beautiful, so magical, so elegant, so adept at capturing the feeling of a fairytale that it absolutely must be seen.

Humble, hardworking, beautiful Belle (Josette Day) learns that her father (Marcel Andre) has been captured by The Beast (Jean Marais), a monster who rules over an enchanted castle. Taking his place as the Beast’s prisoner, she is surprised when the creature begins falling in love with her.

This is not the tale of a prince who has been cursed. It’s the story of a monster that slowly becomes human. Written and directed by French poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau, this is a fantasy that will have you happily letting go of all cynicism and embracing the magic of filmmaking like no other story could.

The film makes extensive use of special effects. The Beast’s enchanted castle is filled with “how did they do that?! ” moments. Even without the razzle-dazzle of smoke, mists, enchanted corridors and magical artifacts, it would’ve mesmerized me with its performances and writing. There’s something about this Beast that’s both frightening and heartbreaking. Without a doubt, this is a monster, a creature that wears regal clothing and commands fantastical power but twitches its ears at wild game and returns from the hunt covered in blood. At the same time, there’s something about those eyes that makes you want to take a chance, to reach out and try to alleviate its pain. The way The Beast struggles between being articulate and monstrous reminded me of Dr. Moreau's creations. I was also blown away by Josette Day, who without much dialogue, nevertheless manages to embody every fairy tale heroine. She’s so pure and sweet, patient and kind, but unafraid to stand up for herself that you can’t help but blush.

I dare you to look and not be entranced. The sets are wonderful in that kind of scary, but also whimsical in a way that harkens back to a child's imagination. The costumes, the ornate statues, the ever-present sense of wonder, the strange logic that nonetheless makes perfect sense transports you to a place that’s both alien and familiar. You can also look deeper and come to appreciate the symbolism and subtleties found throughout, particularly in the film’s conclusion.

I'm in love. I want to watch "Beauty and the Beast" again, right now, to dissect the dialogue, study the way the story is told and transport myself to a time that now seems so distant. The French adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” can only be described as wonderful. (Original French version on Blu-ray, February 23, 2017)