Directed by Jean Cocteau
I loved was how they created magic in the visual techniques. From mysterious moving of the branches always obscuring the camera to magically opening doors, it is clear that there is something special about the Beast's palace. One of my favourite aspects must be the people integrated throughout the palace holding candlesticks and framing the fire place and puffing smoke through their nostrils. I think because this film was one of the first films produced post Nazi occupation, the public probably in particular appreciated a bit of magic to act as escapism.
I loved the use of magical props like the beads beast gives Belle. The first magic with these beads we see is the formation of the necklace. The beads suddenly assemble to form a necklace is his hands. I think this was probably done through reversing footage of the beads breaking. The next magical appearance of this necklace is when Belle later gives them to one of her sisters and it turned into weeds. I love this prop because it is something simple that has been made simply magical. Another prop that added to the magic were Belle's tears made of diamonds, allowing even her tears to be beautiful.
As for the difference between the real world and beasts world, I felt that the Beast's world was very dark, inside in particular. I think one of the reasons this was done was to unable the integration of the people but also added a sense of mystery as in real world you could see everything. The darkness also added to the fact that in the Beast's land most the time it was night time. Lastly it alludes to the notion that the darkness makes the beasts world appear more lonely.
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