Something magical is happening in this first trailer for Christopher Gans’ BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Beauty and the Beast. It’s a tale older than that cheese in the corner of your fridge, and its been adapted plenty of times into various films and TV series. A new version is on the way, this time from France. And even though I can’t understand most of what is being said, I have to admit that it looks visually enchanting.

1720. After the wreck of his ships, a financially-ruined merchant exiles himself in the countryside with his six children. Among them is Beauty, his youngest daughter, a joyful girl full of grace. One day, during an arduous journey, the merchant stumbles across the magical domain of the Beast, who sentences him to death for stealing a rose.

Feeling responsible for the terrible fate which has befallen her family, Beauty decides to sacrifice herself and take her father’s place. At the Beast’s castle, it is not death that awaits Beauty, but a strange life in which fantastical moments mingle with gaiety and melancholy. Every night, at dinner, Beauty and the Beast sit down together.

They learn about each other, taming one another like two strangers who are total opposites. When she has to repulse his amorous advances, Beauty tries to pierce the mysteries of the Beast and his domain. And when night falls, the Beast’s past is revealed to her bit by bit in her dreams. It is a tragic story, which tells her that this solitary and fearsome being was once a majestic prince. Armed with her courage, ignoring every danger, and opening her heart, Beauty manages to release the Beast from his curse. And in doing so, she discovers true love.

As I said before, the film looks fantastic on a visual level. There’s a hint of Guillermo Del Toro in those creature designs and sets, and it truly does look like a treat to behold. It’s out in France next year February, with a subtitled version hopefully following shortly afterwards into Eeeeeenglish territory. The film stars Vincent Cassel, Léa Seydoux , with Christopher Gans directing.

Last Updated: December 4, 2013