'Beauty and the Beast': one tale, many films

Walt Disney, producer of the latest version of "Beauty and the Beast," is betting on the charisma of its female lead star, Emma Watson. The British actress became world famous through the role of Hermione in the Harry Potter films. She is just one of the highlights of the 2017 remake of the classic tale.

Filmmaker Bill Condon used the most modern special effects for this live action film. Objects come to life in the Beast's enchanted castle, and through stunning computer-generated imagery, speaking cups and clocks accompany Emma Watson throughout the film. The horned Beast is also very impressive.

Walt Disney had already released a previous version of "Beauty and the Beast" in 1991 - an animated musical feature. The romantic fantasy was very successful; it was also the first animated featured to be nominated for an Oscar in the best film category.

Building on that success, Walt Disney released a direct-to-video film called "Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas." The story of this movie is set within the time period of the tale told in the 1991 version. Its different characters try to convince the Beast that Christmas is a good holiday.

For most film experts, French director Jean Cocteau's 1946 film adaptation of the tale remains the ultimate classic. "La Belle et la Bête" starred Jean Marais as the ugly lord of the castle and Josette Day as his beautiful partner. This version features a poetic atmosphere and wonderful black-and-white imagery.

The American TV movie from the 1970s remains a respectable version. It was directed by the film and theater actress Trish Van Devere, who also starred in the lead role. In the role of the Beast was her husband, George C. Scott.

Three years before Disney's newest remake, an elaborate European version of the tale was also released in cinemas. Vincent Cassel played the Beast, alongside Léa Seydoux as Belle. The film was shot at the Babelsberg Film Studios in Berlin. This remake directed by Christophe Gans didn't manage to convince critics, however, who deplored the film's lack of romantic poetry and its unnerving effects.

The controversial Polish director Walerian Borowczyk offered his interpretation of the tale in 1975, focusing on its erotic subtext. Borowczyk's cult version, "La Bête," features sex between a beast and a woman. The French production was typical for the period, as erotic films would run in cities' adult movie theaters.

Now the world can look forward to the newest version of "Beauty and the Beast," which hits theaters on March 16 in many countries, including Germany, and a day later in the US.