Beauty and the Beast
As the 30th Disney film (an FYI: I’m skipping The Rescuers Down Under sequel to The Rescuers), Walt Disney attempted to make Beauty and the Beast into a movie both in the 1930s and the 1950s, but he was unsuccessful due to the project being too complicated. Then, after the success of The Little Mermaid, Disney decided that they would revive the Beauty and the Beast project. Originally, Disney decided that the movie wasn’t going to made into a musical but it would have a Broadway theme (as in lots of quality music), similar to The Little Mermaid. When the film was released, it was a box office success and received critical acclaim for the film’s romance, animation (particularly the ballroom scene), characters, and music. The film also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy and was the first ever animated film to do so; it was also nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The film lost that award, sadly, but it did win for both best score and best original song for the title song. I actually read the original fairy tale, which was translated from French (the language it was first written in) during my freshmen year of high school, but the book is ridiculously confusing. I hope everyone loves this movie as much as I do! Whatever your thoughts I’d love to hear from you!
Beauty and the Beast (based on the very perplexing fairytale of the same name) is about a 17-year-old bookworm, Belle, who dreams of a bigger life than the one in her village. One day, Belle’s father is taken prisoner by a beast! Belle rushes off to rescue her father and chooses to take his place as the Beast’s prisoner. The Beast is actually a prince who was cursed by an enchantress when he was younger (due to his unkindness), and the curse/spell could only break if he found the true meaning of love. Soon, after a rocky start, a connection starts to form between Belle and the Beast. This film is considered one of the greatest Disney movies of all time (a true statement by the way). Belle has the most independent personality of all the Disney Princesses so far. She loves to read back in a time where it was considered improper for a woman to read, and she turns down Gaston’s (an “eligible” village bachelor) advances toward her several times back in a time where women turning down proposals was uncommon; and Belle doesn’t long for a marriage but for adventures outside of her small little village, probably because she has read so much about such adventures. Needless to say, Belle is awesome and she is my favorite princess! Despite the groundbreaking animation, fantastic music, and mostly fun characters, there are some scenes that could terrify younger kids (like a scene where Belle is attacked by wolves), and I would thus caution parents about those. Also, there is some argument that Belle has Stockholm Syndrome, as she falls in love with the man/beast who imprisoned her. Well, at the beginning of the movie, Belle willingly gave her life, in a sense, for her dad’s life; and then, at the end, the Beast lets Belle go and then she willingly goes back to be with him. So, Belle is a woman who made her own choices, and very brave choices, back in a time when women often had their choices taken away from them by men. The best message that comes out of this film is that we should focus on inner beauty before any other kind—the beauty of using your mind and imagination, the beauty of being willing to give your life away for another, the beauty of opening up your heart in a way you never thought possible, the beauty of being willing to let someone you truly love go, and the beauty of authentic friendship.
“I want adventure in the great wide somewhere, I wanted more than I can tell…For once it might be grand to have someone understand, I want so much more than they’ve got planned!” Belle, a song lyric
8 Comments
Loyal Fan
Another great review! I liked your staging.
Love is a rare quality and must be a choice.One can not love without first loving oneself and choosing it as Belle did, Love was a choice for Belle and she was beautiful and free inside and out.Not a lot of women were able to do this during her time.
Much can be learned from her. She , like you, was an avid reader.She was not afraid to live her own life and make her own choices.
EvangelineFiles
Wow, I enjoyed hearing your own thoughts about Beauty and the Beast! Thank you for sharing them!
Karen Vaughan
Evangeline, you write so beautifully! I need some lessons from you!
I loved Beauty and the Beast when I watched it many times when my daughters were young. You have made an excellent observation that the movie focused on inner beauty before anything else, and that is something everyone should do every day. You are such a beautiful person, inside and out. I enjoyed reading this blog. It was very well written. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
EvangelineFiles
I’m glad that you enjoy my perspective! That means a lot! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Walinda
Interesting enough I’ve never watched this movie. I’ve seen variations of it being advertised though. After reading your review I went to Disney+ and noticed there’s a live-action adaptation and at least 3 animated versions. Which one did you see? I think the Stockholm Syndrome comment is pretty interesting but I’ll have to see it to make up my mind. I love your take and your staging!
EvangelineFiles
Ok, so the one I saw was the original animated version from 1991. The other animated ones are probably the direct to video sequels I’m guessing. The direct to video ones are supposedly not that great. I haven’t watched them though. I didn’t love the live-action version though I only watched the first 25 minutes or so. I would love to hear your thoughts on the movie when you watch it! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Tiger
I love this review, Evangeline! I also love Beauty and the Beast (perhaps because I’m also a brunette bookworm)! The history of this movie at Disney, the French book/novel connection, the insight you give into Belle’s character, etc. are all amazing. Thank you! Also, the lessons you draw out about beauty in general are so very real and true and needed in our culture, most especially now. And your visual is magnificent (what’s the story behind that gorgeous Belle gown by the way?). Love it all!!! The Spanish title on one of your VHS movies jumped out at me right away since I speak Spanish as well; it’s so cool that you included that too. I’m looking very forward to whatever your next review is!
EvangelineFiles
I’m glad that you enjoy my perspective! That means a lot! I got the Belle gown as a birthday present a couple years back when I had a Disney themed birthday party. That is so cool that you speak Spanish! I’m currently trying to learn it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!