Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3768 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-11-02
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Animated, Dolby, PAL, Special Edition, Subtitled
• Original language: English, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 87 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The film that officially signalled Disney's animation renaissance and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman, (winning the 1991 Oscar for Best Song and Menken's score won a trophy as well). The downright funniest song is "Gaston", a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication and pure joy. --David Kronke, Amazon.com

On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's regular DVD release still offers some special features, but doesn't hold a candle to the Collector's Edition. The "making-of" featurette is informative charting the production from Walt Disney's original idea to the final musical version. "The Story Behind the Story" shows the origins of many of Disney's adapted fairy tales. The two games are fun, if a little slow to load. Celine Dion's original video is slightly on the dull side, but Jump 5's remixed version of "Tale as Old as Time" is just ridiculous. As always the sing-along track is great fun for all budding Belles or Beasts in the house. The transfer is as pristine as could be expected from a 1991 release.

On the DVD: Beauty and the Beast's two-disc Collector's Edition really is the stuff of fairy tales. Disc 1 has three versions of the movie, the best being the "Work in Progress" edition which offers the unfinished film, sketch lines and all. The theatrical cut has a pristine transfer and the sound is immaculate. The director's commentary relies on a lot on name-dropping and you'll find more interesting insight in the "making-of" feature on the second disc. The sing-a-long track (as with all Disney releases) is fantastic, particularly for such a well-loved score.

Disc 2 is packed full of information, fun and games. The best of the informative features is "Animation Magic", an intelligent look into the production of Disney cartoons. In the games section you'll need to head straight for the West Wing to continue an adventure with Chip (Tip: finish the game "Maurice's Workshop" first), but get your fingers warmed up as it needs a little remote control action. This disc only really falls down on the slowness of some of its games and the appalling remix video of "Tale as Old as Time". --Nikki Disney

Special Features
The Making of Beauty and the Beast
The Story Behind The Story
Maurice's Invention Workshop Gane
Break The Spell Game
Beauty and the Beast Music Video
Beauty and the Beast Music Video
Sing Along Track

Synopsis
The timeless tale of Belle, the beautiful and intelligent girl kept prisoner in the castle of a mysterious beast who must somehow win her love if he is to regain his princely form. Features the voices of Robby Benson, Angela Lansbury and David Ogden Stiers. Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture, Best Song (Be Our Guest), Best Song (Belle). Academy Awards: Best Song (Beauty and the Beast).

Customer Reviews

A tale as old as time
This is my favorite disney movie of all time. great characters, great story and great songs.A feast for the eyes and ears.
Perfect for those sick days spent snuggled under a duvet!

my life would never be the same
i first saw this movie when i was 3 it was my favorite film but now i am 18 and i cant belive it is still my favourite film i would rather watch this movie again than any other.this movie is just packed with magic i love all the disney films but this doesnt compare.the way they capture two people who didnt fit in to find each other over come all obsticals and sill be able to fit in amazing music , damsil in destress , beautiful gown and one of the greatest love story which all disney films have beauty and the beast did it better in ever other way and more including the magic mirror , the magic rose and the amazin charecters.
i have watched it so many times its hard to belive that ever time i watch it its like the first time i forget everything around me i still cry every time at the end this film has just had a big impact on my life. no other film has done any of it before its so original

Just lovely
This is by far my favourate Disney Film. It's innocence is a joy to see in comparision to other more violent childrens films. The annimation is lovely, the songs are a joy and the scene of Beauty and the Beast dancing together never fails to leave both my children singing the tune and asking to go to Disney Land too!

This is a disney film that will not be forgotten as others such as pocahontus were. It is also probably the last good Disney film of it's kind, as they have now elected to focus on computer annimation.

Suspend cynicism and see it through the eyes of a child- it is a truelly beautiful film