Beautiful DVD, Beastly Price

Criterian has released a second version of director Jean Cocteau's 1946 classic, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (La BELLE et La BETTE), starring Joesette Day and Jean Marais. This wonderful transfer of the film comes complete with the extras of the earlier release, plus many more goodies, including a collectible booklet. This unusual film, unfortunately, also comes with the usual price of a Criterian title: $39.95, nearly 2-3 times that charged by any other company for the same amount of material. Keeping in mind that this is a single DVD release, as well as what it costs to produce a DVD (even taking into consideration licensing fees), it is an overpriced package...even for this magnificent masterpiece. However, let us focus on the positive. The original opening title sequence has been restored, which shows Cocteau writing the credits on a child's chalkboard (only to have, in turn, Marais and Day come up and erase their names as soon as they are written). And we have a choice of two sets of English subtitles; the ones with which so many of us have grown familiar over the years, as well as a new set that are a far more accurate translation of the original dialogue. The French fantasy film still retains a fresh, dream-like quality, with each frame filled with enchanting and unearthly beauty; making it as timeless as the tale upon which it's based. We are now treated to two different commentaries on the film, the Phillip Glass opera, onscreen talks with surviving cast & crew, and other treats that will appeal to those who love this incredible work.