Once upon a time…
The story of a gentle-hearted beast in love with a simple and beautiful girl. She is drawn to the repellent but strangely fascinating Beast, who tests her fidelity by giving her a key, telling her that if she doesn't return it to him by a specific time, he will die of grief. She is unable to return the key on time, but it is revealed that the Beast is the genuinely handsome one. A simple tale of tragic love that turns into a surreal vision of death, desire, and beauty.
- 7.5
- 1946
- Released
- 1h 36m
Jean Marais
La Bête / Le Prince / Avenant
Josette Day
Belle
Marcel André
Belle's Father
Mila Parély
Félicie
Nane Germon
Adélaïde
Michel Auclair
Ludovic
Raoul Marco
The Insurer
Noël Blin
Footman (uncredited)
Christian Marquand
Footman (uncredited)Gilles Watteaux
Footman (uncredited)
Released
fr
- #underdog
- #daughter
- #monster
- #beauty
- #rose
- #black and white
- #romantic
Reviews
Cocteau’s adaptation of this timeless fairy tale spends a little more on the characterisations than many as it regales us with the misfortunes of a merchant (John Kuether) and his four children. All are used to the finer things in life, but when rough seas rob him of his merchandise and two of his daughters continue to spend as if there were no tomorrow, he is reduced to near bankruptcy and forced