Cocteau's retelling of the classic 'Beauty and the Beast' is addressed to 'what remains of the child in all of us', but by avoiding all whimsy and sentimentality its appeal is universal. The Beast becomes another poetic figure in Cocteau's personal mythology, while his enchanted castle is evoked by some of the most startling imagery in cinema history - worthy of comparison with Murnau's haunting Nosferatu.
Directed by
Jean Cocteau; René Clément (uncredited).
Written by
Jean Cocteau (also story) (also dialogue); Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont (story).
Starring
Jean Marais (La Bête (The Beast) / The Prince / Avenant); Josette Day (Belle); Mila Parély (Félicie); Nane Germon (Adélaïde); Michel Auclair (Ludovic); Raoul Marco (The usurer); Marcel André (Belle's father). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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