On this day 30 years ago, a movie premiered that changed the landscape of animation. It introduced beloved and endearing characters, it gifted us with memorable songs, and it became a paragon to which all other animated features aspired. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast celebrates 30 years, and I celebrate having seen it at least that many times. At least.
At first, I was reluctant to watch it, doubting it could ever compare to The Little Mermaid. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with Ariel and her friends and would sing “Under the Sea” so much that I had to buy the soundtrack so I could memorize it properly. And from the commercials Beauty and the Beast appeared to be a movie about dancing utensils and plates.
But it was far more than that. It spoke to my very soul. A story about a lonely, bookish girl who struggled to make friends. Finally a heroine who liked to read!
And I fell in love. With Belle’s grace and beauty and intelligence. The Beast’s snarly demeanor hiding the teddy bear underneath. The love-hate relationship between Cogsworth and Lumiere. And the library! The library. Did I mention the library? A dream come true. I realized then I didn’t want a castle and a prince, but I wanted that library. The way the camera twirls around and we take in Belle’s view around the enormous room filled floor to ceiling with books still takes my breath away 30 years later. Not to mention the Beast’s child-like excitement at her delight.
Source: Screen captures
But even the gorgeous color palette featuring Belle’s signature yellow ball gown and blue town dress remain important. Even today you often see a variety of her costumes at conventions, and Hot Topic just released a version of the hooded cloak she wears during the “Something There” song. Belle is still a fashion icon.
Speaking of iconic and the songs… There’s not a bad one in the entire film, which is dedicated to Howard Ashman “who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul.” Ashman collaborated with composer Alan Menken to create the show-stopping “Be Our Guest,” and “Belle,” which in a few short minutes at the beginning of the film gives us insights into Belle’s and Gaston‘s motives and personalities. And the stunner of the bunch is sung by Angela Lansbury—“Beauty and the Beast” as Belle and the Beast slowly dance within the walls of that beautiful ballroom.
The film is not without its controversies though. Questions have always surrounded why the entire castle was punished for the behavior of a small boy. Stockholm Syndrome is discussed a lot, where a captive develops positive feelings for a captor. But at the end of the day it’s a fairy tale. Not one of a heroine becoming a princess but of her getting a library. And also a castle and a prince.
Fairy tales have always been dark or weird or illogical. But there are usually lessons to be learned and emotions to be felt. And Beauty and the Beast has both. It’s stirs up emotions and reminds us not to judge a book by its cover. It’s an important lesson still so very relevant today.
Beauty and the Beast is a tale as old as time. Or, in this case, a tale as old as 30 years, and it’s just as wonderful as the day it premiered.