Written and directed by the renowned poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau. A landmark of cinematic fantasy, it is celebrated for its lush visual style, which was achieved without modern digital effects, using instead ingenious practical illusions and artistic set design. It stars Josette Day as Belle and Jean Marais in a triple role as the Beast, the Prince, and Avenant. Adapted from the 1757 version of the fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, the story follows Belle, who sacrifices her freedom to save her father after he is sentenced to death for stealing a rose from the Beast's garden. In the Beast's enchanted castle, Belle gradually looks past his monstrous appearance to discover his kind nature.

The film is noted for its gothic, dreamlike atmosphere, featuring living statues and candelabras held by human arms that emerge from the walls. The visual aesthetic was heavily influenced by the illustrations of Gustave Doré and the paintings of Jan Vermeer.