Beauty and the Beast

I, too, saw this over 25 years ago and have never forgotten it. It was one of the most splendidly beautiful productions of the story I have ever seen. The chemistry between George C. Scott and Trish Van de Vere was magnificent.

I also remember that Ms. Van de Vere played Beauty as a strong-willed woman, not a simperer as the character has been portrayed. Although I loved the Disney version, as well as the TV series, this production was the best of the traditional ones. I seem to recall being told at one time that Mr. Scott bought the rights to the production. If that is so, then, Mr. Scott, please allow its release to DVD. I see that I am not the only one who wants a copy.

Ditto! How can we have vaults filled with clunkers and something with this power and grace remain unavailable?

I saw this television presentation over a quarter of a century ago and for my money, it was one of the most lovely things television ever gave me. One thing about Scott; he seemed incapable of turning in a bad performance no matter how vicious or viscous the material. But when

there was a marriage of man and material, like in Patton, or the Hospital, or even in (critics be damned) They Might be Giants, one was in for a rare treat. Now that this great actor has gone from us, can't we have his lovely work along with all those turkeys he graced?

Like everyone else here I saw this movie just once and never forgot it..it was a fantastic movie! I've been looking for it all these years...Please, please, powers that be..release this movie on DVD! (Hey this sounds like a mantra..)

The love (or otherwise) of any piece of artistic work is obviously extremely subjective. We had just married at the time this film was released and so were very "loved-up". Nevertheless we were completely enchanted by the heart-rending tale of tormented romance. Of course the story is well-known to everyone, most children read or are read the book when no more than toddlers. There is no deep meaning or twists of plot to keep the viewer guessing, on the contrary - there is nothing added or taken away from the original storyline. It is therefore, a triumph, that such a simple yarn can be presented, such that real nostlagia, romance, magic, love, despair and joy are evident throughout.

George C. Scott is simply perfect in the role of the beast. It would have been such a temptation to "ham-it-up" and to make the beast even beastlier, but he gets the balance just right. The viewer is suitably revolted by him at first, but of course is soon won over by his presence and charm. Shrek is the contemporary equivalent - but Scott has no computer enhancement to get across his frustrated torment - just damn good old-fashioned acting.

I wish I could make more informed comments here about the film but it is so long since we saw it that I am struggling to remember more detail. It must have been good though - we still talk about it and are always on the look-out for it in programme listings.

I watched Beauty and the Beast with my infant daughter and was so taken with it I described it to my wife when she got home that evening. Evidently, my description was vivid enough that over the years, she has become convinced that she actually saw it. My memory of the movie doesn't dwell on any specific scenes but on my impression of the overall effort. Obviously, the George C. Scott/Trish vanDeVere coupling had its own special chemistry for people to react as strongly to the film as many do in the comments.

This is significant for another reason. My taste in films doesn't often move toward this sort of romance (In "Titanic" I couldn't wait for the blinkin' boat to sink) I'd love to find a copy for a couple reasons: first, to see if my memory of the superb performances was indeed accurate, and second, to share it for the second time with my romantic wife... m