Beauty and the Beast (1946) documentary, Jean Cocteau

Excerpts from Cinematic Eye: Angel of Space and Time, 1970s episode on La Belle et la bête / Beauty and the Beast (France 1946, Jean Cocteau).

[@lucy_whalen123]

It's weird to think this documentary was first aired 40 years ago and I'm sat here using it for my uni essay in 2021

[@ellariches9953]

me toooo

[@bro1965]

When I was a child, "Cinematic Eye" aired on the local PBS station on Sunday mornings. It served as an introduction to foreign films which were shown immediately afterwards. Other films in the series were M, Smiles of a Summer Night, La Strada, L'Avventura, and Jules and Jim.

[@ahmyakm9176]

Do you know where it can be watched now? I didn't find it on youtube unfortunately. It is so much better than today's documentaries on films.

[@dianecristina3319]

In my area the show was Saturday Afternoon.

[@tadimaggio]

If anyone wants to understand the difference between the American and European temperaments, have them watch Cocteau's "La Belle et la Bete", and then the animated American version. The flambeaux held by human arms; the living sculpted faces in the fireplace; the exquisite face of Josette Day (who seems to waft along the castle halls when she runs, just above the floor, as befits a former ballet dancer); the endless subtleties of the cinematography, which establishes an entirely new spectrum between black and white; and the farm where Beauty's family lives, which could have been painted by Vermeer. And then the American version, whose garish colors and inconsistent story have all the understatement of a Barnum & Bailey circus. (Among other things, it begins by identifying Belle as a lover of books and learning, and then never refers to that aspect of her personality again, or uses it in the story.) I've always loved Greta Garbo's comment when she saw the film for the first time. Like many viewers, she felt that Jean Marais' transformation into the Prince at the end was a bit of a letdown. When the lights came up, she turned to the man she was with and said: "Give me back my Beast."

[@yaffayafo82]

This is the best cinematic version of any faerie tale forever after. Unless there are Russian, Chinese or Hindi productions I am not aware of.

[@meesalikeu]

Yaffa Yafo i always thought so and modern disney fairy tales havent come close to changing my opinion of it.

[@sethrotull1]

I believe there was an extravagant Russian version that is a lost film. Maybe from the teens.

[@shivansawh1107]

Well detailed documentary on Belle et Bete. Where can I get more episodes like these. Throughly enjoyed it.

[@meesalikeu]

that was pretty good. packed a lot of info and food for thought into a short amount of time.

[@ndromedaGalaxy]

Humbled with sigh

[@castalianightwish8751]

Beautiful

[@ahmyakm9176]

what an informing documentary. the inside look about jean cocteau and the motifs in his arts sheds more light on the film. Where can I watch the other episodes of this documentary, Cinematic Eye?

[@singer2be256]

Woah woah wait! That guy was drinking sewer water? How did he not get sick?

[@meesalikeu]

singer2be i think he faked it - i hope so!

[@rippinkittn]

Name of director mentioned in 1:30 ? Can't understand myself :)

[@lachambreverte]

Georges Méliès

[@saschaD02]

too cynical...no feel for the dimensions of symbolism..the arrogance and ignorance of "critical thinking".