La Belle et la Bête

Cocteau’s take on Beauty and the Beast is a magical, elegant classic.

  • Director

    Jean Cocteau

  • With

    Jean Marais, Josette Day, Marcel André

  • France 1946. 93min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    PG

  • English subtitles

When Belle’s father becomes beholden to a monstrous beast, she takes his place, staying in the enchanted castle where the beast resides and gradually falling under his spell. It’s difficult to imagine a more magical cinematic experience than Cocteau’s take on the fairy tale. The meticulous production design, the spectacle of the costumes and a fable rich in symbolism and metaphor – it’s a dream you never want to wake from.

The screening of La Belle et la Bête on Sunday 22 February is a Family screening.

The screening of La Belle et la Bête on Wednesday 11 February will include an introduction.

Also available on BFI Player