This film
adapted by Disney in later years is an absolute favourite of mine. I am absorbed in the loneliness, love and
romance that the film deals with.
 |
| Fig.1. La Belle et la Bete (poster art) |
The original
story directed for film by Jean Cocteau however has a Cinderella feel to it. Belle, the favoured daughter, is not treated
well by her siblings . When her father wanders in the forest, he picks a flower
for Belle but is captured by the Beast who lives in the castle. Beast says that the man must die unless he
sacrifices his own daughter allowing her to come and live with him in the
castle.
 |
| Fig.2. La Belle et la Bete (film still) |
Belle’s
nature is evident as she willingly offers herself to save her father. Whilst initially she is frightened by the
beast, she soon develops a love for him.
Beast is scared that if Belle ever left that he would die from a broken
heart.
Jean Cocteau
directed a film that allows adults to escape and see life through the eyes of a
child with all its fantasy, wonder and excitement. This film was set against the backdrop of WWII
ending, so in fact the audiences were looking for an escape from the impact of
war: death, injury, austerity and politics.
Cocteau and
his cinematographer Henri Alekan used reverse and slow-motion shots, mirrors
and other camera tricks to striking effect.
"The black and white photography in contrast to the light gives the film
a truly ethereal and dream like quality".
(Letterboxd)
 |
| Fig.3. La Belle et la Bete (film still) |
This is
evidenced in scenes showing the interior of the castle. The
rooms come alive using unusual lighting techniques. In one scene, a shadow grows enormously and
appears to push open the doors of the castle. Belle’s room contains plant forms
and is magical in its theatrical representation of bedding, furnishings and
mirrors. It is truly enchanting.
Other effects
create the scene where Belle’s father walks through the hall of living
candelabras. This sequence was shot in
reverse to give the impression that the candles are magically lit by
themselves. Such scenes create an almost supernatural atmosphere.
Cocteau was a sick man when he directed this film. Despite
the pain of his condition he wrote daily, his diary of the film. He was criticized for his lack of camera
movement at one time and in defence he wrote on one Wednesday evening:
“In
a spirit of instinctive contradiction, I am avoiding all camera movement, which
is so much in the fashion that the experts think it indispensable……..I’m
finding it very difficult to make the artists understand that the style of the
film needs a lack of naturalness and a kind of super natural relief"
The film
creates a sexual tension between the Beast and Belle but it is also created
amongst the audience. Strangely, even
when the Beast is transformed into Prince Charming, the audience are left
disappointed and longing for their old Beast back. It is said that Greta Garbo yelled at the
screen when she saw the film shouting; “I want my beautiful beast back!"
I echo her
words!
Illustration List:
Figure 1. La Belle et la Bete (poster art) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_(1946_film)#/media/File:La_Belle_et_la_B%C3%AAte_film.jpg (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Figure 2. La Belle et la Bete (film still) https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Belle+Beauty+and+the+Beast+vs+Horse&view=detailv2&&id=F53EF45BD6EEA4F44A4D798C1A3706665D605ADC&selectedIndex=0&ccid=JFaIDlTA&simid=608009143800891205&thid=OIP.M2456880e54c09a1cae345c79c442f868o0&ajaxhist=0
(Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Fig.3. La Belle et la Bete (film still) http://gwarlingo.gwarlingo.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/beauty-and-the-beast-1946-Belle-and-knife-550x447.jpg (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Illustration List:
Figure 1. La Belle et la Bete (poster art) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_(1946_film)#/media/File:La_Belle_et_la_B%C3%AAte_film.jpg (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Figure 2. La Belle et la Bete (film still) https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Belle+Beauty+and+the+Beast+vs+Horse&view=detailv2&&id=F53EF45BD6EEA4F44A4D798C1A3706665D605ADC&selectedIndex=0&ccid=JFaIDlTA&simid=608009143800891205&thid=OIP.M2456880e54c09a1cae345c79c442f868o0&ajaxhist=0
(Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Fig.3. La Belle et la Bete (film still) http://gwarlingo.gwarlingo.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/beauty-and-the-beast-1946-Belle-and-knife-550x447.jpg (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Bibliography:
Letterboxd, 'Beauty and the beast 1946 Jean Cocteau' In: Letterboxd [online] At: URL: https://letterboxd.com/film/beauty-and-the-beast/ (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Gwarlingo, 'Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beat : More Than Meets the Eye' In: Gwarlingo [online] At: URL: http://www.gwarlingo.com/2012/jean-cocteau-beauty-and-the-beast/ (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Letterboxd, 'Beauty and the beast 1946 Jean Cocteau' In: Letterboxd [online] At: URL: https://letterboxd.com/film/beauty-and-the-beast/ (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
Gwarlingo, 'Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beat : More Than Meets the Eye' In: Gwarlingo [online] At: URL: http://www.gwarlingo.com/2012/jean-cocteau-beauty-and-the-beast/ (Accessed on 10 November 2016)
