Disney’s version of Beauty and the Beast, released in November 1991, was adored by critics and audiences alike. The first animated feature to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, among myriad other nominations and awards, it grossed around €450 million at the worldwide box office on its initial release; and was, in a word, perfect.
Pundits argue that the animated feature is the definitive version of the story that has appeared on page or screen since the first published version of the fairy tale La Belle et la Bête, by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in the 18th century. So is this spanking new, live-action version really necessary?
It seems that Bill Condon, the director behind the remake, initially thought not, confessing to an initial fear of remaking something as flawless as the 1991 movie, which he believes is perfect.
“When the film was released it was ground-breaking in the way the story was told and with that incredible score from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, so I initially did not want to go near it.”
However, the director began to change his mind. “It is 25 years later and technology has caught up with the ideas that were introduced in the animated movie,” he explains. “Now it is possible, for the first time, to create a photo-real version of a talking teacup on a practical set in a completely realistic live-action format.”
Moreover, it offered Condon the chance to pay homage to the musicals from the Golden Age of Hollywood, and also, via the screenplay by Evan Spiliotopoulos and Stephen Chbosky, an opportunity to revisit a story he connected with emotionally and to flesh out the characters further.
The story is unchanged and its underlying message that true beauty comes from within remains as inspiring, empowering, and topical as ever. The Ashman-Menken songs also return; with some new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice, stepping in for the late Ashman, who sadly died just before the 1991 movie was released.
Taking this part on was taking on a lot more than just playing a role
The 1991 film was also highly praised for its depiction of Belle as a highly intelligent, independent young woman with a love of literature and a desperate yearning to discover the world beyond her quaint French village.
Belle’s traits are perfectly suited to Emma Watson, the actress who grew up playing the brainy Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise.
“We all know how intelligent and worldly and sophisticated Emma is and, while that doesn’t describe Belle, it is what Belle aspires to be. And it is the innate intelligence that Emma brings to the role that is such a crucial element when you’re doing a live-action film,” Condon comments.
For the role of the Beast, a character that oscillates between moments of rage and gentleness, the filmmakers cast Dan Stevens, best known as Matthew Crawley from popular TV series Downton Abbey.
The actor threw himself wholeheartedly into the role, with Condon saying that “taking this part on was taking on a lot more than just playing a role”, because of all the incredibly complicated technical things Dan had to face, and the trust he had to place in everyone around him that all that work he did would shine through in the end. It takes a certain kind of character to be willing to do that.
Joining Watson and Stevens are Luke Evans as the boorish Gaston; Kevin Kline as Belle’s father Maurice; Josh Gad as Gaston’s sidekick Le Fou; Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, a candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, a harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, a wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, a feather duster; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, a mantle clock; and Emma Thompson as beloved teapot Mrs Potts
Condon always brings a deep understanding and respect for the actors he works with, and collaborating with them in the initial stages to fine-tune the personal details of their characters is a process he finds invaluable.
For Beauty and the Beast, weeks of one-on-one work with actors led to a full-script table read – with some musical numbers fully performed by actors and ensemble – becoming a live concert for the assembled crew.
“Condon decided to put on a show and I’ve never seen or heard anything like it,” remarks McKellen just afterwards. The cast agreed it got the production off to a great start, and exemplified what this unique experience would have in store – not only for them, but for the millions of moviegoers around the world for whom this film could not arrive soon enough.