Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête)

Beauty and the Beast

Written and Directed by: Jean Cocteau

From a story by: Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont

- Action. - Rolling.

Beauty and the beast, take one.

Cut. Just a minute.

Children believe what we tell them. They have complete faith in us.

They believe that a rose plucked from a garden can plunge a family into conflict.

They believe that the hands of a human beast will smoke when he slays a victim...

...and that this will cause the beast shame when a young maiden takes up residence in his home.

They believe a thousand other simple things.

I ask of you a little of this childlike simplicity...

...and to bring us luck, let me speak four truly magic words, childhood's 'open sesame'.

"Once upon a time..."

That girl!

You know how she is. She can't do a thing.

No good.

Cheater! Your foot's not on the line.

My dress!

- What's the matter? - They shot an arrow into the room.

You brutes! You could have blinded us!

- Is Belle all right? - Belle, always Belle!

To hell with Belle!

You nearly killed cabriole.

There they are.

Belle, scrub the floor. We're going to be late for the duchess.

- Murderers! - My sisters are shrews.

Drinking, chasing girls, cheating at cards. It's all they care about.

When you're poor, you stay home, wash clothes and polish the cutlery.

These witches act like princesses and never realize everyone's laughing in their face.

- Answer him. - I won't give him the satisfaction.

What beautiful creatures!

Let's hurry or we'll miss the concert.

So enchanting and divine.

- Simpletons. - Footmen! Footmen!

Incredible!

Do we pay you to sleep?

I've never seen anything like it!

These chairs.

These chairs are filthy.

Footmen! Footmen!

Hurry up!

Come on, we're leaving!

Not under the ladder!

Drunkards, you're asleep on your feet!

That drunkard doesn't even know his place.

Good-for-nothing!

They've been drinking!

Come on now, footmen!

May the devil himself splatter you with dung.

Belle...

...you weren't made to be a servant.

Even the floor longs to be your mirror.

You mustn't go on slaving day and night for your sisters.

If our father's ships hadn't been lost in the storm...

...then perhaps I could enjoy myself like them.

But we're ruined, Avenant, and I must work.

Why don't your sisters work?

My sisters are too beautiful.

Their hands are too white.

Belle...

...you're the most beautiful of all.

Look at your hands.

Let go of my hand.

Please go. I must finish my work.

I love you.

Marry me.

No, Avenant. You mustn't speak of that again.

It's no use.

You don't like me.

No, no.

Well, then?

I must remain a maid and stay with father.

I'll carry you away from this stupid life!

Let me go!

Get off her! Do you want a black eye?!

It's all right, Ludovic. He was asking me to marry him.

- What did you say? - Your sister doesn't want me.

Is that so?

I'm a scoundrel, and proud of it...

...but I won't stand to see you marry one.

Consider yourself warned.

Now clear out, you hoodlum!

Avenant, you're mad!

Are you okay, Ludovic?

Come in, gentlemen.

Make yourselves at home while I tell everyone the great news.

My father.

He mustn't know.

My daughters are out being pampered by high society.

But I can't wait for them. I'm itching to break the news.

Come here, Belle.

Come, Ludovic.

You're welcome too, Avenant.

These gentlemen will overlook your mischief...

...just as the prosecutor here has done me the great favor...

...of suspending all proceedings begun against me.

We're going to be rich!

One of my ships has arrived with its cargo.

- Avenant knew it! - Ludovic!

That's why he asked Belle to marry him.

He asked me before while we were still poor.

- You're going to leave me? - No, father, I'll never leave you.

They said the duchess wasn't having guests, but we can hear laughter and music in the court.

Congratulations, father! We've just reaped the fruits of your foolishness.

You should be proud!

Invite one and all to drink while your daughters are insulted and doors slam in their face!

- My darlings! - That duchess is a smart woman.

I'm so ashamed!

Come, Adelaide. Leave them to drink to our ill fortune.

Oh, Father.

Let those two devils sulk. I'll soon make it up to them.

I'll set out for port tomorrow and settle my affairs.

They'll be married to a duke and a prince!

Gentlemen.

Bring back some brocade dresses.

Jewels, fans and ostrich feathers!

I want the whole town to die of envy!

A monkey! I'd like a monkey.

A parrot.

What shall I bring back for you, Belle?

Father, bring me a rose.

There aren't any around here.

If I don't pay up tonight, they'll throw me in prison.

A moneylender is quick to understand. I told him the whole story.

Here he comes.

It's a very large sum.

You know one of the lost ships has made it back to port.

I'll pay you as soon as my father returns.

If you can't pay, I can sue your father for it.

If your father can't pay, I'll take his furnishings.

Sign it. What can you lose?

What can I do, sir?

If nothing's left from the last ship, what's to become of me?

Your creditors in the port were quicker than those in town, sue them!

I don't even have money to stay at the inn in town.

Then return home!

And cross the forest in the dark of night?!

You crossed it at night to get here.

But there was a moon out then.

Now there's a fog. I tell you, I'll get lost.

Get lost, then!

Easy for you to say! I'd like to see you in my shoes.

It's frightening!

Is anybody there?!

Anybody here?!

Is anybody there?!

Hello?!

Hello?!

So, my dear sir...

...you steal my roses.

You steal my roses...

...the things I love most in all the world.

Your luck has gone from bad to worse.

You could've taken anything, except my roses.

The punishment for this simple theft...

...is death!

Sir, I didn't know. I meant no harm.

My daughter asked me to bring her a rose.

Don't address me as "sir."

I'm called the beast.

I don't like compliments.

Don't try to understand.

You have 15 minutes...

...to prepare to die.

- But, sir-- - Again!

The beast orders you to be silent.

You stole a rose, so you must die.

Unless one of your daughters...

- How many do you have? - Three.

Unless one of your daughters agrees to pay your debt and take your place.

- Please-- - Don't argue. Be off!

Make the most of the chance I've offered you.

And should your daughters refuse to die in your place...

...swear to return in three days. Swear it!

I swear.

But how will I find my way home? I got lost in the forest.

You'll find a white horse in my stables.

His name is Magnificent.

Whisper in his ear, "go where I am going, Magnificent"...

..."go, go, go!"

He'll take you home and bring you back to my castle...

...should your daughters prove too cowardly to ride him in your place.

Go now!

I don't remember if the journey was quick or endless.

Magnificent is in our stable.

That's my story.

Take this rose, Belle.

It has cost me dear.

That's what happens when a fool asks you to bring her a rose.

See what her pride has caused!

She tried to teach us a lesson by acting the picture of modesty!

She's not even crying!

You won't die, father. It's my fault.

- It's only right that I go in your place. - Are you crazy?

Ludovic and I will go and kill this awful beast!

His power is too great. You could never destroy him.

Don't you worry, Belle.

I am old, and I gave my word. I will go.

You will not go, father. You can still win your case.