8/4/2019 La Belle Et La Bete (1946) Review

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La Belle et la Bete(1946)

Reviewed by Sammy Butler

La Belle et La Bete, translating to the Beauty and the Beast, was directed in 1946 by Jean Cocteauand is an adaption of Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumonts timeless of the same name. The story tells of a

troubled romance between Beauty, a merchants daughter, and Beast, a hideous monster with the mind of a

man. The movie plays as a very theatrical piece, only using the medium of film to its advantage occasionally.

With the use of grand orchestral music as a soundtrack it sometimes seems more of a ballet or opera.

Figure 1 - Film Poster

Phillip French of The Observer describes it as being a profound allegorical interpretation of a wounded

France recovering its honor after the Nazi occupation(French: 2008). The film does demonstrate the beast

being repressed and controlled by the curse inflicted on him by Diana, an ancient roman goddess; but its not

so much a film symbolic of the occupation but an escape from it. The Director himself had written Man

seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to

withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of

comfort.(Cocteau: 1952). The audience is treated to being immersed in a world of fantasy and fairytale that

explores human nature and the way society represses its self. The beasts repression is more symbolic of

mans struggle with his natural urges. It suggests that, in a relationship, a woman is needed to tame the

beast. Belle helps the beast fight his animal urges act like a prince as seen in one scene in particular in which

the beasts compulsion to act is defeated when Belle tells him not to. He then suddenly walks like a perfect

gentleman with Belle at his side.

Figure 2 -Beauty and the Beast first dine together.

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The film explores breaking taboos and 20th

century reservations about behavior and relationships. When

Belle first sees Beast she is repelled by his features. The first dinner they share together she refuses to wed

him without even considering his proposal. As she spends more time in the castle she begins to seek his

company as she warms to his presence. Belles journey through the film depicts her surrendering slowing to

her inner feelings and desires. As thingy observes Cocteau uses haunting images and bold Freudian symbols

to suggest that emotions are at a boil in the subconscious of his characters(Ebert: 1999.) She tries topreserve the way her upbringing has taught her to be and is almost scared of admitting that she could have

these yearning feelings for the beast. Certainly Josette Day is able to translate through her actions Belles

dilemma and her feelings without dialogue getting in the way. The strong imagery and visual feast of this film

means the audience are made to think and figure out the emotions and thoughts of the characters which

helps them connect emotionally into the film.

Figure 3 - Happily Ever After

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Bibliography

French, Phillip (2008) The Observer -http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/sep/28/drama.dvdreviews1

Cocteau, Jean (1952) Diary of an Unknown

Ebert, Roger (1999) Chicago Sun-Times -

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19991226/REVIEWS08/912260301/1023

Picture Sources

Fig. 1 Film Poster (1946) From: La Belle et la Bette Directed by: Jean Cocteau. [Film Poster] France: Lopert

Pictures

Fig. 2 Beauty and the Beast first dine together (1946) From: La Belle et la Bette Directed by: Jean Cocteau.

[Film Still] France: Lopert Pictures

Fig.3 Happily Ever After (1946) From: La Belle et la Bette Directed by: Jean Cocteau. [Film Still] France:

Lopert Pictures

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/sep/28/drama.dvdreviews1http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/sep/28/drama.dvdreviews1