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Author
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Comment
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spoonmoonhollow
Registered User
(2/16/05 2:42 pm)
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Beauty & the Beast Film Versions
For Valentine's Day my husband gave me Jean Cocteau's stunning version of Beauty & the Beast on DVD, I just watched it last night and was spellbound by his style (i had never seen the film before) yet i seem to recall a black and white version of the tale from early childhood. Does anyone know of other film versions of Beauty and the Beast that are worth watching. I know the Disney and a couple poor cartoon attempts, but actual full length film versions? i have recently rediscovered the television show which has some lovely moments and Vincent is such a heart throb. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale and i love re-tellings, especially Robin McKinley's BEAUTY and ROSE DAUGHTER which are so lyrical and magical. Any new suggestions would be highly appreciated.
spoon
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Charles Vess
Unregistered User
(2/16/05 2:58 pm)
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Another film version
There was a TV movie with George C. Scott and Clair Bloom that I think aired approx. 20 years ago. It was a pretty good version but does not hold a candle to Cocteau's amazing adaptation.
His film of 'Orpheus' is also splendid. It is a 'modern' version set in a then contemporary Paris but with all the mythic elements left in!!
Somewhere I have a book that features an interview with Cocteau. The interviewer keeps trying to get the director to explain how he did his film effects and Cocteau keeps talking only about the poetry of film. Lovely!
Best,
Charles
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Heidi Anne Heiner
ezOP
(2/16/05 3:59 pm)
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Re: Another film version
Be sure to look at Modern Interpretations of Beauty and the Beast: Film on SurLaLune.
Heidi
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cmoore0013
Unregistered User
(2/16/05 8:12 pm)
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Cannon Movie Tale
Try the Cannon Movie Tales version with Rebecca DeMornay and John Savage. It's a musical from the 80's that has very good sets, acting and songs. It is very faithful to the original story.
Another great one is the version produced by Faerie Tale Theatre with Susan Sarandon and Klaus Kinski. A very surreal and creepy version that borrows heavily from Cocteau's version.
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spoonmoonhollow
Registered User
(2/17/05 10:13 pm)
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has anyone seen the old black and white?
Thank you, Charles. I have not seen "Orpheus" but i will try to track it down, i love the Greek myths, and interpretations of the Orpheus story are among my favorites.
Thank you, Heidi. I did go through the Beauty and the Beast modern interpretations, well, all the B&B information really. It is my favorite (twelve dancing princesses & east of the sun, west of the moon come next), but i have not found what i am looking for, maybe it would help if i expound. when i was a kid (six or seven) i remember watching a black and white version of B&B that is not the Cocteau. am i making this up or is there another older version out there? i think the beast had more of a boar look to him than a feline look. Er...maybe? memory is such a fickle mistress.
spoon
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sarahw
Unregistered User
(2/18/05 6:19 am)
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movies
My husband gave me the same movie for Valentine's Day a couple of years ago. I agree - a wonderful gift choice for that day. It is stunningly beautiful.
I just ordered Bell, Book, and Candle with Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novack. Any reviews of that. I'm really looking forward to getting it.
Sarah
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Writerpatrick
Registered User
(2/19/05 8:44 am)
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Re: movies
I saw Bell, Book and Candle a long time ago. I believe it was the inspiration for Bewitched. It's about a novice witch who falls in love with a mortal. You might want to check out Amazon.com for a full review.
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Dark Siren
Unregistered User
(2/20/05 12:01 pm)
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B&B Film Versions
Did you mean the TV version where the Beast lived in the sewers(I think in San Francisco)and he and Belle had a baby,and then she was killed?I *loved* that show!What channel is it on?
I love McKinley's "Beauty" too,but I haven't read "Rose Daughter" yet.How different is it from "Beauty"?
I'll need to watch this version that you all get given by your hubbies(lucky things).It's definitely one of my 3 favourite Disney films,the other 2 being Pocahontas(though I'm not so keen on the second,I prefer John Smith) and the Lion King trilogy.The Lion King's the only one I've not seen on stage - B&B at the Edinburgh Playhouse Feb 03,Pocahontas in Disney on Ice in September 98.I'm planning to see the Lion King as soon as I can.
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evil little pixie
Registered User
(2/20/05 5:03 pm)
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Re: B&B Film Versions
_Rose Daughter_ is a bit darker, but not much. It's longer and more detailed, but strangly I found that the characters, with the exception of the two older sisters, didn't seem as real as the ones from _Beauty_. _Rose Daughter_ is more lyrical and the back story is far more complicated, plus it has more subplots. I like it (especially the parts before Beauty goes to the Beast's castle), but I like _Beauty_ better.
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spoonmoonhollow
Registered User
(2/21/05 3:30 am)
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*sigh*my favorite...
i have seen the television show "Beauty and the Beast" (set in New York City) and i love it too, however it was made (3 seasons, 56 episodes) in the late 80s - early 90s. what i am musing about is an early black and white version of Beauty and the Beast that i can find very little reference to. it is not cocteau's and the beast looks more like he has a wild boar's head than feline/canine.
i treasure both of Robin McKinley's versions of the story. she is one of my favorite authors. i read "Beauty" first and years later came across "Rose Daughter" - i was fascinated that she was able to bring more to the story and loved the many subplots and thicker sense of mystery. also "Rose Daughter" has my favorite ending of any version ever. if you have read it you know what i mean. if you haven't then you should.
i just finished reading a new version by Nancy Holder "Spirited." it is good, a very interesting retelling, but it lacked...something.
spoon
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