Beauty and the Beast (1946) is the classic kind of fantasy film that makes you feel just like a child reading the original fairy tale for the first time. The soft film and lush historic setting combined give the world an ethereal atmosphere, accentuating the action and emotions. At the same time, the drama of the main characters feel relatable and down to earth, as Belle's tribulations with her sisters are a timeless testament to sibling rivalry. The discovery of the castle is an incredible visual and technical achievement that shows the eerie phantasmagorical nature of the space, plunging the characters and audience alike into another world. The combined ferocity and tenderness of the beast is the true lynchpin of the film, as well as Belle's relationship with his dichotomous nature. Like the Beast's tumultuous nature, the story takes on twists both sweet and terrifying, culminating in the climax in the glasshouse. It's not quite as lively as the Disney adaptation almost fifty years later, but it's just as heartfelt, thanks to the fantasy atmosphere and romantic acting.
Review of Beauty and the Beast
