Beauty And The Beast | The Ultimate Movie Guide

“Beauty and the Beast” is a classic animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released in 1991. It is the 30th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series and is often considered one of Disney’s greatest animated films.

The film is based on the French fairy tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. It tells the story of a young woman named Belle, who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. The Beast is actually a prince who has been cursed by an enchantress and transformed into a monstrous creature. To break the curse, the Beast must learn to love and be loved in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. If he fails, he will remain a Beast forever, and his servants will be trapped as household objects.

As Belle spends time in the castle, she begins to see past the Beast’s exterior and discovers the kind and gentle soul within. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including Lumière, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Chip, Belle and the Beast gradually develop a deep and meaningful connection.

“Beauty and the Beast” is celebrated for its captivating animation, memorable characters, and timeless musical score. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, includes iconic songs like “Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” and the Oscar-winning title song “Beauty and the Beast.”

The film received critical acclaim upon its release and was a commercial success, becoming the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It won two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

“Beauty and the Beast” is often praised for its themes of love, acceptance, and inner beauty, which resonate with audiences of all ages. It has been adapted into various stage productions, including a successful Broadway musical, and has spawned several live-action adaptations and spin-offs.

In 2017, Disney released a live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast,” starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, which further cemented the timeless appeal of the beloved fairy tale.

Overall, “Beauty and the Beast” remains a beloved and cherished classic in the Disney canon, touching the hearts of generations with its enchanting story and memorable characters. It continues to captivate audiences worldwide and is celebrated as one of Disney’s most enduring and magical animated films.

Fun Facts

“Beauty and the Beast” was the first animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award, competing against live-action films in 1992.
The character of Belle was inspired by both Katharine Hepburn’s character in “Little Women” and Julie Andrews’ portrayal of Maria in “The Sound of Music.”
The ballroom scene where Belle and the Beast dance is one of the most iconic moments in the film. The scene was created using a combination of hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery (CGI).
The famous song “Be Our Guest” almost didn’t make it into the final film. The filmmakers initially thought the scene was too long and didn’t fit with the rest of the story.
The Beast’s design was inspired by several animals, including lions, wolves, and buffalo.
Belle’s father, Maurice, was originally written as a more serious character, but the filmmakers decided to make him more eccentric and lovable to provide some comic relief.
Angela Lansbury, who voiced Mrs. Potts, initially didn’t want to sing “Beauty and the Beast” because she felt her voice wasn’t strong enough. However, the filmmakers convinced her to give it a try, and the song went on to win an Academy Award.
The film’s opening prologue was inspired by stained glass windows from medieval churches.
The town in which Belle lives is called Villeneuve, which is a reference to the author of the original “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale, Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.
The film’s production team spent three weeks in France to research the film’s setting, architecture, and culture. The Beast’s castle was modeled after the Château de Chambord in France.

Additional Details

Movie Studio: Disney
Year Released: 1991
Type of Movie: Animated
Box Office: $425 million
Awards: Won Academy Awards; Won Golden Globes; Won Grammy Awards
IMDB Link

Cast

Paige O’Hara: Belle
Robby Benson: the Beast
Richard White: Gaston
Jerry Orbach: Lumière
David Ogden Stiers: Cogsworth
Angela Lansbury: Mrs. Potts
Bradley Pierce: Chip
Rex Everhart: Maurice
Jesse Corti: LeFou
Jo Anne Worley: the Wardrobe
Hal Smith: Philippe
Mary Kay Bergman and Kath Soucie: the Bimbettes
Jack Angel, Phil Proctor, Bill Farmer and Patrick Pinney: Tom, Dick, Stanley, and Gramps
Brian Cummings: the Stove
Alvin Epstein: the Bookseller
Tony Jay: Monsieur D’Arque
Alec Murphy: the Baker
Kimmy Robertson: the Featherduster
Frank Welker: Sultan