Jean Cocteau's French-filmed version of the oft-told tale, his first full-length feature as both writer and director. This is a gorgeously-designed, blissed-out fantasy, terribly romantic and designed with staggering imagination. Josette Day is striking as slighted young woman who saves her father from the clutches of a village beast, initially sacrificing her life until she finds herself charmed by the cursed monster--and he to her. Faithfulness to the original story leaves the ending feeling a little staid, but why complain when the film is this mesmerizing and beautiful? Cocteau's on-set diary was later published as "Beauty and the Beast: Diary of a Film", and makes an ideal companion piece to the movie. ***1/2 from ****
Review of Beauty and the Beast
