Beauty and the Beast (1946) - The Criterion Collection

Synopsis

Once upon a time, in a world of magic and wonder, the true love of a beautiful girl may finally dispel the torment of a feral but gentle-hearted beast. Beauty and the Beast (La belle et la bête) is a landmark feat of cinematic fantasy in which master filmmaker Jean Cocteau conjures spectacular visions of enchantment, desire, and death that have never been equaled. The Criterion Collection proudly presents the original film version of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece, in a restored, spectacular special edition.

Cast

Avenant/Beast/Prince Ardent	Jean Marais
Belle	Josette Day
Félicie	Mila Parély
Adélaïde	Nane Germon
Ludovic	Michel Auclair
Moneylender	Raoul Marco
The merchant (Belle’s father)	Marcel André

Credits

Director	Jean Cocteau
Written and directed by	Jean Cocteau
Cinematography	Henri Alekan
Based on the short story by	Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont
Music	Georges Auric
Editing	Claude Ibéria
"Illustrated" by	Christian Bèrard
Technical consultant	René Clément
Art director	René Moulaërt and Lucien Carré
Costume design	Marcel Escoffier
From the house of	Paquin
Makeup	Hagop Arakelian
Sound	Jacques Lébreton and Jacques Carrere
A production of	André Paulvé

Disc Features

Breathtaking high-definition digital transfer made from restored film elements
Original opera written for the film by renowned composer Philip Glass, presented in Dolby Digital 5.1
Screening at the Majestic, 1995 documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew
Interview with cinematographer Henri Alekan
Two commentary tracks: one featuring film historian Arthur Knight, and the other featuring writer/cultural historian Sir Christopher Frayling
Rare behind-the-scenes and publicity stills
Original 1945 trailer narrated by Cocteau
Film restoration demonstration
1995 restoration trailer
A reprint of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s original fable, translated from the French
Notes by Francis Steegmuller, from his landmark book Cocteau: A Biography
A note about the film by Jean Cocteau
New and improved English subtitle translation
Optimal image quality: dual layer edition

From the Current

Once Upon a Time—French Poet Explains His Filming of Fairy Tale

by Jean Cocteau Feb 10, 2003

The poet Paul Eluard says that to understand my film version of Beauty and the Beast, you must love your dog more than your car. Ordinarily, I would settle for that. However, with so much being written about the film that is entirely false to my intentions, I have . . .