Beauty and the Beast (1991)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Directors:

Gary Trousdale
Kirk Wise

Writers:

Linda Woolverton (animation screenplay)
Roger Allers (story)

Release Date:

22 November 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

The most beautiful love story ever told.

Plot:

Belle, whose father Maurice is imprisoned by the Beast (really an enchanted Prince), offers herself instead and finds the prince inside the Beast.

Plot Keywords:

Beast | Love | Prince | Castle | Village

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Paige O'Hara	...	Belle (voice)
Robby Benson	...	Beast (voice)
Richard White	...	Gaston (voice)
Jerry Orbach	...	Lumiere (voice)
David Ogden Stiers	...	Cogsworth / Narrator (voice)
Angela Lansbury	...	Mrs. Potts (voice)
Bradley Pierce	...	Chip (voice) (as Bradley Michael Pierce)
Rex Everhart	...	Maurice (voice)
Jesse Corti	...	Lefou (voice)
Hal Smith	...	Philippe (voice)
Jo Anne Worley	...	Wardrobe (voice)
Mary Kay Bergman	...	Babette (voice)
Brian Cummings	...	Stove (voice)
Alvin Epstein	...	Bookseller (voice)
Tony Jay	...	Monsieur D'Arque (voice)

Also Known As:

Beauty and the Beast 3-D (USA) (promotional title)
Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition (USA) (longer version)

Runtime:

84 min | 91 min (special edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.50 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints) | Sonics-DDP (IMAX version)

Certification:

South Korea:All | Portugal:M/6 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Brazil:Livre | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8/5 | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Ireland:G | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Singapore:G | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:G | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney Feature Animation - 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Silver Screen Partners IV

Trivia:

Almost the entire cast are stars of Broadway musicals (most notably Angela Lansbury and Jerry Orbach), and Disney intended it that way, hoping that a theatrical backer could finance a future stage version of the film.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: In the opening musical number we see Belle's home. The windmill on the house has 2 gears that are clearly working against one another, yet they still turn perfectly.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "American Dad!: Stan of Arabia: Part 1 (#1.12)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Human Again

Perfect mix of music and animation...a solid achievement...

I've not seen the newly added song sequence (Human Again) featured in the latest IMAX version so my comments are based entirely on the original theatrical and VHS release.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is Disney at its peak. From the stained glass window at the opening and the beautiful narration, the viewer is drawn into the story by the appealing music and clever lyrics ("Belle's Song") which gets the picture off to a bouncy start. The opening sequence showing Belle and the townspeople in song is masterfully handled and choreographed for maximum effect, setting the tone for the entire story.

The plot becomes thicker once Belle's father enters the castle grounds where the Beast resides. The castle interiors are brilliantly Baroque and the odd characters inhabiting the grounds are delightfully rendered by a perfect blending of art and voice talent. Cogsworth, Lumiere and Mrs. Potts are delightful creations, each with strong, consistent personalities. David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury cannot be praised enough for their contributions.

Two of the musical highlights are Orbach's dazzling job on "Be My Guest" (with French accent) and Angela's tender rendering of the title song, "Beauty and the Beast". Unforgettable movie moments. As Gaston, Richard White's robust baritone voice adds greatly to the effectiveness of his villainy.

It's no wonder the film was the first to receive recognition by the Academy with a Best Picture nomination. Outstanding in every department, including the end title song sung by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson in a more "modern" style.

Along with SNOW WHITE and SLEEPING BEAUTY, a top-notch fairy tale with its appeal evenly divided between adults and children--as well as the child in all of us.