Beauty and the Beast (1976)

I've wanted to see this movie again for a very long time.I got a DVD of it recently from Sunshine Vintage Movies.It's at least as good as I remember!! Having read recent reviews of the new version, I was really pleased with this old version. It's great!!! George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere are wonderful.Thanks for all these reviews reminding how much I like this movie!!!

I don't know who is the keeper of the key here (Hallmark, Palm Films??), but shame on you for keeping this to yourself. This is a beautiful rendition of this story and should be released for new generations to see. The magic, the costumes, the music, the romance....stunning. Van Devere and Scott's chemistry on screen is exquisite. The English setting is elegant. Is this tied up in some sort of royalties claim? Has it just been forgotten about? I found a DVD on ebay and have purchased it, but have yet to receive it. I suspect it's of poor quality, but if that's what I can get I'll take it I suppose. Shame, shame, shame on you! Release this film, fools!

The first comment made that many people would like to purchase this movie is very true. My mother-in-law has been looking to purchase this movie for quite some time now. I thought I may be able to purchase it on ebay or something but have yet to find the one she wants with George C. Scott. If it can be worked out for this to be purchased I would be on of the first to give it as a gift to my mother-in-law. She would love to see it in black and white but color I'm sure will not matter. I have not seen this movie so I am not going to rate it but I'm sure if she saw it and has been looking for a while for it, than it means something.

It's actually rather hard to review this made for TV movie for a variety of reasons. First, it has not been re-shown for decades and so it's hard to remember it with full clarity. Plus, I saw this movie before I saw either the Jean Cocteau or Disney versions. It makes sense with the Disney version, as it came out long after most people's memory of the George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere version had dimmed. I remembered the film as extraordinarily well-acted and beautiful throughout--so much so, that I developed a real deep love for the story. Now with so many intervening years, I don't really know which version I like best--if they would only put this one on video I could find this out once and for all!UPDATE: I finally DID find the film on YouTube. While the print isn't great, it is the movie in its entirety. Unfortunately, the soundtrack is out of sync slightly--and you will notice it. But, it's the only available version I know of at this time. Fortunately, it turns out that this Hallmark version is much different than the other two more famous films. The French film by Jean Cocteau is much more artsy and poetic. The Disney version is the best cartoon ever made. This Hallmark one is lovely because it is so romantic-- with a much stronger emphasis on the relationship between Belle and Beast. It also has an interesting contrast because her family, for the most part, ends up being scum! All in all, a terrific made for TV film...about as good as I remembered!