The Beast (1995) Poster

(1995)

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10/10
It sure surprised me...
beon0119 May 2005
As the story's writer, and participant in three hurried days of movie making with a bunch of people working for free on their weekend, I expected an awful film. Not so! Montgomery had assembled a first rate team of dedicated people who worked together wonderfully with the most gentle direction. I appreciated the way he added his own creative touches while retaining the original story's integrity.

The veteran actor Roscoe Brown was a perfect judge, bonding with the chimpanzee off screen to facilitate a natural on-screen connection, improving the story in the process.

My only complaint is that, as in "The Mind's I", Martha's story is interpreted incorrectly, the opposite of its intended context. And it is not a short story at all, but a chapter in a short book. Alas. I'm still delighted; the finished product recreated the tears I lost writing it.
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Faithful telling of a short story
ctdonath5 August 2001
Based on "The Soul of Martha, a Beast" by Terrel Miedaner, excerpted from "The Soul of Anna Klane". This film is a proper & faithful telling of this moving short story, which I first read in Hofstadter & Dennett's anthology "The Mind's I".
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10/10
Loved it - finally, a piece that made me think instead of thinking for me!
thescoop3 September 2002
Warning: Spoilers
Lyrical yet crisp; haunting, intelligent and emotionally disturbing with interesting use of sound. Eerily futuristic and yet present day, Montgomery's talented direction proves you don't have to have lots of action to maintain the viewers' rapt attention. The wonderful cast example subtlety and economy of movement as hallmarks of great acting. Hope this is not a spoiler, The Beast challenges viewers to rethink the status quo, sentient beings and the measure of intelligence, as well as their perspective on truth and justice. Are humans truly the superior race and who besides humankind says so? Who or what does the title really refer to? In some ways the messages remind me of Rod Serling's (Twilight Zone) allegorical use of fiction as a thought provoking medium with which to make strong moral messages palatable to the masses. Intriguing film, well-executed - if you're easily queasy come prepared, it's a must see. Eagerly anticipating writer/director Rhoderyc Montgomery's magic touch on a feature length.
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admirable
Kirpianuscus17 February 2019
A profound sensitive theme. An inspired way to use it. And beautiful performance of Roscoe Brown. A short film about life, intelligence, decisions, human - like beens. A powerfull message and moving end. Impressive, well crafted and useful support for reflection about perspectives about the other.
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