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Visually original and emotionally powerful, this telling of the classic fairy tale is still a magical experience even though it is now 60 years old. The story is as everyone knows — the beautiful Belle (Josette Day, 1933’s THE BARBER OF SEVILLE) gives herself to the Beast (Jean Marais, 1950’s ORPHEUS) as his prisoner to spare the life of her father (Marcel Andre, THE STORM WITHIN), who fell into debt with the Beast after picking a rose from the creature’s garden for his daughter.

Before this conflict starts, we look into Belle’s life with her family. She serves her snobby sisters Felicie (Mila Parely, THE RULES OF THE GAME) and Adelaide (Nane Germon, LES BICHES) like Cinderella. Her brother Ludovic (Michel Auclair, 1957’s FUNNY FACE) has gotten the family into great financial trouble. Because she is so dedicated to her family, especially her father, Belle will not even consider the proposals of Ludovic’s arrogant friend Avenant (Marais).

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