Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast

Created by: Ricky Wilson
Last modified: 2004-04-06
Location: http://clover.slavic.pitt.edu/~tales/film/cocteau.html

Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast

Background Information

The scene we're viewing is from the end of the film, and the plot follows the original tale's pretty closely. Avenant, a Gaston-like character, along with Belle's brother, are attempting to sneak into the Beast's castle to kill him and make off with his fortune. This is happening concurrently with Belle's return to the castle, where she finds the Beast ailing because of her departure.

Film Studies Information

1. This film had some pretty "cutting edge" special effects for the time. Notice the statue of Diana in the Beast's treasure room and the Beast's transformation back into a prince. Remember, this was 1946, after all ...
2. What do you make of Diana (goddess of the hunt) being present in the Beast's treasure chamber?
3. Avenant and the Beast/Prince are played by the same actor (who was known as the "most beautiful man in the world" at the time). How can you interpret this?