Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Cocteau vs Beaumont: The First Impression of the Castle
I think it is very interesting how differently the father's interactions are in the castle in the two different versions of this story. In the Beaumont version, the father seems very pleased and satisfied. He thanks what he believes to be a benevolent fairy for saving him. However, the Cocteau version really makes the castle seem darker and more magical. The castle itself is alive! For example, you have the arms holding the candelabras and the busts smoking and watching him. (I find it funny that despite being obviously terrified he continues to travel deeper into the Beast's property. The thing about these two separate setups is that it they both have the same effect on the person viewing/reading the story...they both reinforce the idea that this is a world where magic/magical things are real and there occurrence is not necessarily out of the ordinary. I also really like the Cocteau's representation because it leads very nicely to the Disney version, which is my favorite.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I noticed that the Beast's castle was presented as more enchanted in Cocteau's film than in Beaumont's version. The castle in the film not only reminded me of Disney's version (with the enchanted candlesticks, the clock on the fireplace, and the enchanted dinner ware...like in Disney), but the moving heads in the fireplace also reminded me of the 1999 horror film, "The Haunting" in which the heads in the bed head board come to life. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2EBuaPXTJA)
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the film presents a more magical place. In the film the horse operates by a magical saying. It is magic that he knows where the rider wants to go. In the literature the horse relies on instinct. Also the film adds more magical objects which is the source of the Beast's magic or strength. The objects are the horse, glove, chamber, key and mirror. The film suggests that beast dies from love sickness and the lack of his magical sources. In the book I think he just dies from love sickness.
ReplyDeleteIt was undeniable that the castle was more magical in the film. I am not sure that I liked it though. I almost felt that the castle was so magical that it was haunted and that kind of freaked me out. While reading the story, I thought it was very cute that it was just assumed a fairy was ding all the magical deeds. he over magical castle in the movie I feel was a little too much,
ReplyDelete