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La Belle et la bête [1946]

Posted by Bambi B (A) on October 22, 2005 at 08:23:02

In Reply to: What's the best kids movie for adults?... posted by millen on October 21, 2005 at 10:32:58:

millen,

A thorny subject since most movies made for kids are so incredibly miscalculated. I think if the "Beach party" movies of the 60's and the bizarre attempts to just throw every trendy fad into the pot- and today the added product placement and merchandising. The other thing that bothers me about kids' movies is the intense overediting to try to make it exciting- nothing is on the screen for more than a 1/2 second to try and cover up the lack of any personality and the grunts and screams that replace the concept of dialogue.

It was not always so, and I think an amazing children's movie that adults can love AND respect too is: "La Belle et la bete" or "Beauty and the Beast". This is the version written and directed by Jean Cocteau in 1946.

This is so simply and directly done, the black and white photography so good, and the astounding magical atmosphere is subtle and powerful without 1/8th second edits nor of course computer effects. The live arm candle hold3ers were some guys with their arms painted gold poking them through a set wall, but even today- cynical and suspicious of anything aimed at childeren- I think the strangeness of that image is one of the most memorable. The language is very simple too- anyone with a bit of French can understand the dialogue.

It's nearly a perfect movie for what it tries to do. Genius !

No pandering, no associated merchandising, no top heavy heroines lugging 50 caliber machine guns, but a tender, magic story gloriously filmed and quietly magic-and just frightening enough to act as memento mori. Anyone from 8 to 80 can look forward to this one.

Cheers,

Bambi B

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