Panna a netvor (Beauty and the Beast)
Directed by Juraj Herz
Written by Juraj Herz, Ota Hofman and Fantisek Hruben from a fairy tale by Jean-Marie Leprince de Beaumont
1978/Czechoslovakia
IMDb page
First viewing/YouTube
“Every woman has the power to make beautiful the man she loves.”
This is a beautiful Gothic rendering of the timeless fairy tale. It is scarier than other versions of the story but also very beautiful.
Surely everyone knows the story of Beauty and the Beast. This version is no different except for there is no arrogant young suitor in real life for young Belle, who is called Julie here.
The movie is a visual and auditory feast. Costumes and sets are intricate and lush. The music, which moves from scary Gothic organ music in the first half to a beautiful love theme in the second, is wonderful. If you loved Cocteau’s “La belle et la bete”, give this one a try. I think it’s as good.
Thank you Laurie for this recomendation.
