RICHARD GRANDPIERRE & JEROME SEYDOUX

PRESENT

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

SCREENPLAY BY SANDRA VO-ANH & CHRISTOPHE GANS

A FILM BY CHRISTOPHE GANS

FEBRUARY 2012
EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN – DUSK
1760. A majestic ship is pitching in the middle of a
raging ocean. The ink-dark sky is streaked with
lightning. The waves toss the hail-beaten vessel.
EXT. SHIP/UPPER DECK – DUSK
The massive silhouette of the CAPTAIN stands out at the
helm. He is hollering orders to his crew, but his voice
is drowned by the howling of the storm and the creaking
of the masts as they withstand the violent weather.
On deck, the crew is in full action. The camera dives
through a hatch...
INT. SHIP/DECK – DUSK
The young and frail ELEONORE (16) is running through the
ship’s gangways. The rolling is so strong she has a hard
time staying on her feet.

Three officers are goofing off below deck. One is very

young and a bit less of a show-off, but the older two
are really swaggering. The trio sees Eleonore and
hurries toward her.
OFFICER #1
Lost lamb to port, my friends!
OFFICER #2
The poor thing looks terrified.
Let’s rescue her!
All smiles, they deploy across the gangway and block
Eleonore’s way, overplaying the effect of the roll.
OFFICER #1
Gentlemen, let the lady pass!
They’re having a good laugh, and as she tries to get
past them, they prevent it.
OFFICER #2
Pardon us, but the ship is really
pitching!
Eleonore pulls her silk shawl tight around her neck.
ELEONORE
I beg of you...
The young woman’s eyes fill with tears.
And then the sweet but firm voice of a woman is heard.
 ISABELLE (O.S.)
Ah, there you are! I’ve been
looking for you for hours!
The officers spin around and discover the imposing
silhouette of ISABELLE. Dressed in a magnificent red
gown, the woman is wearing a little black veil that
allows us a glimpse of her incredible beauty.
The vision moves forward as if floating, indifferent to
the rolling of the ship. The dancing glimmer of the
lanterns lights her sphinx-like smile under the veil.
The boys step aside deferentially. Isabelle holds out a
gloved hand to Eleonore.
ISABELLE (CONT’D)
Come along, hurry up!
ELEONORE
(hesitating)
Madam, I...

Isabelle grabs Eleonore’s hand.

ISABELLE
I’m so eager for us to try on all
those dresses and corsets I have
in my cabin...
Eleonore lets herself be led away by this stranger. The
officers watch them go, dumbfounded.
OFFICER #1
What did she say? What are they
going to do?
OFFICER #2
They’re going to...get undressed
to...try on dresses...
The youngest of them swallows hard.
YOUNG OFFICER
(with a reedy voice)
And corsets...
Isabelle and Eleonore are walking away quickly.
ISABELLE
Are they looking at us?
Eleonore turns back. The officers are standing there
stiff as fenceposts. The youngest is practically
crimson.
ELEONORE
Yes. One of them is red as a
beet.
 ISABELLE
Perfect! It’s time for the coup
de grace. Make the hem of your
dress sway. Like this. With the
roll of the ship, it’s easy as
can be!!
Eleonore smiles at her benefactress and begins to do as
she does.
ELEONORE
I don’t know how to thank you,
Madam...
EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN – NIGHT
The lightning reflects off the sea, and lights the ship
as it endures its rough passage.
INT. SHIP/GANGWAYS – NIGHT

The two women are walking deeper into the bowels of the
ship.
ISABELLE
Are you certain? You really want
to go down into the hold?
Eleonore nods her head, determined.
We hear the creaking wood and the dull blows of the
swell against the hull. Eleonore is anxious, squeezing
Isabelle’s hand.
ISABELLE (CONT’D)
It’s only the wind singing and
the sea answering.
Eleonore smiles with thanks for the reassurance. And
notices a strange pendant hanging around her
benefactress’s neck: a slightly fluorescent crystal
vial.
INT. SHIP/HOLD – NIGHT
Isabelle and Eleonore reach the hold of the ship, vast
as a church.
Coaches, furniture, and mountains of trunks are stored
there for the passage, more or less lashed down. The
entire cargo is standing in a few inches of water that
the bed of the ship tosses in a movement of ebb and
flow.
Eleonore makes her way through it all, searching for her
belongings. Isabelle follows her, looking with concern
at the precariously piled stacks of trunks. Her hand
grips her pendant as if it were a talisman.
Suddenly, a pile of trunks collapses in the water,
splashing Eleonore.
We hear the strident shriek of an animal. Eleonore opens
a trunk pierced with air holes and removes a small
monkey, MAKI, shaggy-looking and terrified.
ISABELLE
So there’s the reason for this
excursion!! A charming little
stowaway!
Eleonore takes a bunch of raisins from her purse. The
monkey grabs them and starts eating with gusto.
ELEONORE
I found him in the jungle. He was
just a baby, half-dead under a
banana leaf.
Snuggling up under her chin, the monkey takes her finger
in his tiny hand.
Isabelle lifts her little veil and smiles at the monkey.
It is impossible to guess her age. Her beauty is
timeless.
ELEONORE (CONT’D)
He’s my dearest friend. I
couldn’t leave him behind.
ISABELLE
Now that you have him, let’s go
warm ourselves before we catch
out death.
The monkey stares at Isabelle with his big round eyes.
INT. SHIP/ELEONORE’S CABIN – NIGHT
Sitting at Eleonore’s bedside, Isabelle is tucking in
the silk and lace bedclothes. The young girl looks
around with amusement as her monkey swings back and
forth, exploring the cabin.
There is a knock at the door. A VALET, wigged and
pinched-looking, carries in a platter of fresh fruits.
He nods to Eleonore.
VALET
Miss...
ISABELLE
Thank you, Henry. You can put
that on the table.
The valet is about to put the plateau down...when the
monkey jumps onto his shoulders! The valet freezes,
terrified.
VALET
Madam! We’re being attacked by
wild animals!
Isabelle and Eleonore burst out laughing.
ISABELLE
Whatever you do, Henry, keep
calm. Beasts can smell when a man
is afraid.
Bent over in a ridiculous stance, the valet holds his
breath. The monkey grabs a bunch of grapes from the
platter, then utters a strident call and goes off to
join his mistress in the bed. Appalled, the valet
hurries out of the cabin, muttering under his breath.

ISABELLE (CONT’D)
I’m done for. He’ll be sulking
for the whole rest of the
crossing!
Eleonore throws her head back, laughing. The shawl she
is still wearing slips and reveals a birthmark at the
base of her neck. Noticing Isabelle’s gaze, she frowns
and pulls her shawl back up.
ELEONORE
I know, it’s repulsive. I’m
sorry.
ISABELLE
Sorry?
Isabelle delicately pulls the shawl aside to see
Eleonore’s throat.
ELEONORE
I feel like it’s the only thing
people see... The girls at
boarding school all made fun of
me. But the worst is the people
who pity me. No one will ever
love me. I’m hideous.
Her monkey snuggles up with her.
ISABELLE
When I look at you, I see a wild
girl, a dreamer. If I were a
young man, I’d fall in love with
those big eyes and that nose that
crinkles when you laugh. And that
 mark wouldn’t matter in the
least...
Eleonore blushes.
ELEONORE
I wish I could believe you.
Isabelle starts peeling an orange with a silver knife.
ISABELLE
So do! No mark, no strangeness
can be a barrier to love. I could
tell you a story about a young
girl who was loved by a monster,
and who loved him back.
(pause)
Would you like that?
ELEONORE
(immediately interested)
How monstrous was he?
ISABELLE
Terrifying! Ghastly! So monstrous
that he refused to let anyone
look at him.
(suddenly pensive)
He was the loneliest and most
singular creature you ever saw.
Captivated, Eleonore curls up in her bed, her monkey
coiled by her side. And then her gaze is drawn again to
Isabelle’s pendant. Dancing lights from the jewel
reflect off the face of the narrator as she begins her
story.
ISABELLE (CONT’D)
Once upon a time, a storm that
was a hundred times—a thousand
times!—more powerful than this
one...
UNDER THE SEA – DAY
ISABELLE (OFF)
...came crashing down on the
fleet of a wealthy merchant. The
flotilla and the treasures
brought back from faraway lands
were taken by the deep. Swallowed
up. Lost forevermore!
In the silence of the depths, the camera moves up over
sharp reefs under a rain of gold coins... The camera
finally emerges on the surface of a raging sea.
EXT. RAGING SEA – DAY
A view of four ships driven onto enormous reefs. Gold
coins and gemstones cascade from their smashed hulls...
The image freezes and becomes a diorama – a painted
model under glass.
INT. MERCHANT’S TOWNHOUSE/ENTRANCE – DAWN
A creditor points at the diorama sitting on top of a
chest of drawers, and then a man in black carries it
away. The ruined MERCHANT watches as the creditor’s men
empty his home. The old man sighs sadly. Sudden
shrieking startles him.
ANNE (O.S.)
Put that down this instant or
I’ll claw your eyes out!
Two more creditors, bent under the weight of a dressing
table, walk through the room. They are followed by two
young women of about twenty, ANNE and CLOTILDE, who are
beating them with their fans. As the creditors hurry off
with the dressing table, the girls dig in their heels in
front of their father.
ANNE (CONT’D)
(stamping her feet)
Daddy dearest, do something!
CLOTILDE
Everything is lost, I want to
die.
THE MERCHANT
For pity’s sake, Anne, cease to
call me “daddy dearest” in front
of these strangers. And Clotilde,
stop talking about dying.
ANNE
They’re taking everything. Our
jewelry, our dresses. Our beds!
EVERYTHING!
Clotilde puts her hand to her breast very theatrically.
CLOTILDE
My heart, it has stopped beating!
Are you happy now? Adieu!
She lets herself fall like a rag doll. Used to her
sister’s histrionics, Anne catches her without even a
glance.
ANNE
Can’t you see, Daddy dearest?
It’s a disaster. What shall
become of us?
The merchant shrugs, powerless. Then he looks around,
suddenly concerned.
THE MERCHANT
Where’s Belle?
He walks off. Clotilde stands up, exasperated.
CLOTILDE
Belle, Belle, Belle... She’s the
only one who matters!
EXT. MERCHANT’S TOWNHOUSE/COURTYARD – DAWN
ISABELLE (OFF)
Ruined in under a month, the
merchant’s family resigned itself
to leaving everything behind...
In the courtyard, valets and chambermaids are loading
the few belongings the family has left into a cart.
MAXIME and JEAN-BAPTISTE, the merchant’s elder sons, are
helping—silently, expressionless.
ADELE, their old nursemaid, is holding TRISTAN, the
youngest of the brothers, tightly in her arms.
ADELE
Look after your father.
(whispering)
And don’t let Maxime squander the
little money you have left.
Tristan holds out a sealed envelope.
TRISTAN
Could you give it to him?
ADELE
You didn’t have time to say good-
bye? But he’s your best friend...
TRISTAN
His father doesn’t want us to see
each other anymore. He’ll come
tomorrow. You won’t forget?
With an understanding expression, the nursemaid quickly
slips the envelope into her apron. They are jostled by
Anne and Clotilde, who run—hiding behind their fans—to
take refuge in a carriage.
The merchant’s two elder sons glare at the crowd of
onlookers massed at the courtyard gates. Some of them
appear to be enjoying the spectacle of the family’s
misfortune.
 MAXIME
If anyone laughs, he gets my fist
in his nose.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Don’t pay any attention....
MAXIME
Come on! A last bit of action
before we disappear into the
boredom of the countryside!
JEAN-BAPTISTE
You’ll have to get used to it,
old buddy. No more betting and
brawling for you.
INT. MERCHANT’S TOWNHOUSE/EMPTY ROOMS – DAWN
The merchant is walking through the empty rooms and long
hallways, calling out.

THE MERCHANT
Belle! Belle!
INT./EXT. MERCHANT’S TOWNHOUSE/SITTING ROOM & GARDEN –
DAWN
We discover Belle. The young girl of a pure and delicate
beauty is in the garden of the townhouse. She picks a
rose and comes back into the sitting room.
She turns toward the portrait of a woman set in a stone
frame. The young girl lays the rose below the painting
and speaks to the portrait.
BELLE
So... A new life is about to
begin, and I think I’m ready now.
The merchant comes into the sitting room. He looks
tenderly at his daughter and steps toward her, placing
his hands on her shoulders. She smiles.
BELLE (CONT’D)
I look less and less like her,
don’t you find?
THE MERCHANT
As soon as we’ve found a bigger
house, we’ll come back for it. I
promise you.
BELLE
Do you think she would have liked
living in the country?
 THE MERCHANT
She would have loved it!
BELLE
I’m going to love it, too, I know
I am.
Touched, the merchant kisses Belle’s forehead.
THE MERCHANT
We’re a courageous family. We’ll
stick together, just like we’ve
always done.
Forgetting their misfortune for a few moments, they hold
each other close to admire one last time the beloved
face in the portrait.
EXT. ROAD/FOREST – DAY
The two horse-drawn vehicles are leaving the city on a
road that leads into the forest.
Belle is travelling with Tristan in the cart where their
belongings are loaded. Anne and Clotilde are in the
carriage driven by their father. Maxime and Jean-
Baptiste follow on their horses.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
(looking into the
distance)
Dethroned, comma, pierced by
arrows, comma, the young prince
left the battlefield to take
refuge in the woods....
MAXIME
Your new novel?
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Better, my dear brother! This one
will be my masterpiece.
EXT. ROAD/COTTAGE – DAY
As the road emerges from the forest, the convoy draws to
a halt...
Belle leaps from the cart. Tucked in the hollow of a
valley, we discover a cottage in a bucolic setting, with
orchards and an immense vegetable garden. Their new
home.
Belle smiles, happy... Fade to black.
INT. COTTAGE/SISTERS’ ROOM – DAY
Clotilde is stretched out on her bed, dressed in a lace
nightdress that contrasts with the simplicity of the
room. She fans herself, panting.
CLOTILDE
I have a fever.
Anne, seated at a rustic dressing table, leans toward a
mirror flecked with spots.
ANNE
I have a wrinkle!
A horsefly buzzes around her.
ANNE (CONT’D)
Ah! There’s no end to these
bugs!!
(whirling her arms about)
Buzz buzz buzz!!

With a cruel smile, she finally crushes the horsefly

with her brush.
CLOTILDE
Six months in this hellhole
already. We’re going to die here,
all alone, shriveled up, stung
and devoured by beasts...
She lets herself fall backward melodramatically onto her
bed.
And then we hear Belle calling to her sisters.
BELLE (O.S.)
ANITAAAAA! CLOTILDAAAAA!
ANNE
And now her! Just what we needed!
Her happiness disgusts me. I want
to drown her in the well.
Clotilde starts punching her pillow.
CLOTILDE
I would bury her alive in that
cursed vegetable plot.
Belle starts hammering on the door.
BELLE (O.S.)
A-NI-TA CLO-TIL-DA! A-NI-TA CLO-
TIL-DA!
Weary, Anne opens the door for Belle, radiant in her
peasant dress.
 ANNE
We’ve told you already not to
disturb us before lunch.
BELLE
I know! But come on, quick! To
the garden!
Racing into the room, Belle grabs Clotilde’s hand,
pulling her out of bed.
CLOTILDE
No doubt about it, I shall get
heat stroke...
EXT. COTTAGE/GARDEN – DAY
Out behind the cottage, beyond several rows of drying
sheets, Anne and Clotilde discover a small white tent.
Tristan, smiling proudly, is standing in front of it. He
bows to his sisters and opens one of the tent flaps to
let them in.
INT. TENT – DAY
The inside of the tent looks like a candy box. Belle has
covered the benches with pastel fabrics and satin
ribbons, set out a pink tea service, strewn sweet pea
blossoms everywhere.
Stunned, Anne and Clotilde inspect the boudoir.
TRISTAN
You’ll be able to enjoy the fresh
air...
BELLE
Protected from the sun!
Anne is absent-mindedly pinching and lifting the skin of
her face.
BELLE (CONT’D)
And we’ve put in citronella
candles to keep the insects away
in the evening.
Overcome with emotion, Clotilde steps out of the tent.
CLOTILDE
I have a gnat in my eye.
Anne throws herself at Belle and wraps her arms around
her.
 ANNE
My little treasure! What would we
do without you?!
EXT. COTTAGE/GARDEN - DAY
Outside the tent, Clotilde is drying her tears when
voices and agitation draw her attention. She sees her
father and two older brothers galloping toward the
cottage waving their arms...
INT. COTTAGE/KITCHEN – DAY
The merchant is surrounded by his children, wiping the
perspiration from his forehead.
THE MERCHANT
It was your mother’s favorite
ship. I think it’s a sign!
MAXIME
It was spotted drifting near the
shore and it was towed back to
port!
THE MERCHANT
My children, I think we are
saved!
The kitchen erupts with joy.
ANNE
Clotilde, pack the bags! No...we
can just burn everything!
CLOTILDE
The blood is flowing again all
through my body. I’m coming back
to life. I am reborn!
ANNE
Daddy dearest, we can’t go back
to town in this condition. We
need new dresses, perfume...
(to Clotilde)
What else?
Everyone laughs, talking at the same time.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
(to himself)
...and after defeating the last
of his enemies, the young prince
returned to his land, acclaimed
by his people. The end.
The merchant suddenly notices Belle, apart from the
others, silent and solemn.
INT. TENT – DUSK
The merchant comes into the “boudoir.” Anne and Clotilde
are wielding a feather pen, drawing up an extravagant
list of things they need to go back the city.
ANNE
...garnet-colored make-up, face
powder... We haven’t finished our
list, daddy dearest, come back
later.
The merchant glances at their list.
THE MERCHANT
How much is all of this going to
cost me?
ANNE
(exultant)
A fortune.
Clotilde taps the list with his finger.
CLOTILDE
Add smelling salts. For my
nerves. You never know.
THE MERCHANT
We’ve lost Belle again...
ANNE
She ran outside making that sad
puppy face of hers.
(to Clotilde)
Amber or violet flowers?
They turn their attention back to their inventory. The
merchant leaves them, sighing.
EXT. COTTAGE/VEGETABLE PLOT – DUSK
As the sun is setting, the merchant goes to join Belle
in her vegetable plot. Somewhat agitated, she is picking
a few of the vegetables she planted.
THE MERCHANT
What are you doing?
She breaks the stem of an enormous pumpkin and puts it
in his arms without a word. Then she starts pulling up
some carrots. Her father tries to follow her without
dropping the pumpkin.
THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)
Are you pouting?
 BELLE
(without turning)
Obviously! If a girl is sad,
people say she’s pouting, and if
she’s too happy, they say she’s
crazy!
THE MERCHANT
But...how are we supposed to
understand? Everyone is happy
except you!
BELLE
I thought we were going to stay
here forever...
THE MERCHANT
We came to stay here to hide our
misfortune. Our lives are not
here.

The merchant frowns.

THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)
Tell me, you wouldn’t happen to
have a beau? A handsome and hardy
boy from the area?
Belle turns around, outraged.
BELLE
A beau? How dreadful! You know as
well as I do what will happen.
Maxime will go back to those
hoodlums he calls his “friends.”
Anne and Clotilde will go out
every evening to find themselves
husbands. And you will be busy
night and day with your business.
THE MERCHANT
Belle, sooner or later, we are
all destined to go our separate
ways. Even you will grow up, and
you’ll want to move away. It
doesn’t mean we no longer love
each other. It just means that
you’ll have become an adult.
They are interrupted by Anne and Clotilde. Anne is
waving their list of “necessities” under her father’s
nose.
ANNE
And don’t forget a thing, Daddy
dearest. Clotilde wouldn’t be
able to bear it.
The merchant turns back to Belle.
THE MERCHANT
And what shall I get for you?
Belle looks all around. The orange-colored sky casts a
gentle light on the garden.
Belle’s eyes stop at a neglected corner of the plot.
BELLE
I’d just like one rose. I’ve
never managed to grow any here.
Anne and Clotilde roll their eyes.
EXT. PORT – DAY
The merchant’s ship is moored in the port. Clouds of
seagulls circle around its broken masts. The strident
calls of the big birds echo the shouting of the sailors
emptying the wreck. Men dressed in black are taking
scrupulous note of every detail of the cargo being
unloaded.
INT. OFFICE OF MARITIME AFFAIRS – DAY
The merchant is watching the proceedings through the
window. He shakes his head, overcome. Behind him, Maxime
is pacing, glancing darkly at the Director of Maritime
Affairs (DUMONT).
THE MERCHANT
How could you let them do this,
Dumont?
DUMONT
They came with their letters of
credit, acknowledgements of debt.
All signed by you...
THE MERCHANT
They are leaving us nothing. How
am I going to tell the children?
Maxime loses him composure. In an outburst of anger, he
grabs Dumont by the collar.
MAXIME
You scum! I’ll have your hide!
The merchant grabs his son.
THE MERCHANT
Stop that this instant!
Maxime lets go of Dumont and looks angrily at his
father.
 MAXIME
You’ve already given up... Look
where your legendary kindness and
honesty have gotten us! You make
me sick.
The merchant’s face falls. Maxime freezes. Understanding
that he has insulted his father profoundly, he runs
away.
Distraught, the merchant turns to Dumont, who looks
away, then he runs outside.
THE MERCHANT
Maxime!
EXT. ALLEYS NEAR THE PORT – NIGHT
We find the merchant in the freezing rain, searching the
narrow alleys of the seedy port. He stops at the fogged-
up windows of a dimly-lit tavern.
INT. TAVERN – NIGHT
The tables are full of thugs and drunken sailors. A
young girl is serving them—while trying to avoid their
wandering hands.
The merchant goes up to the BARMAN behind the counter.
BARMAN
Bad night in here, a real powder
keg. What can I get you?
THE MERCHANT
I’m looking for my son. I’ve been
told he’s a regular here.
The barman looks solemnly at the merchant.
BARMAN
Children! I also had a
son...once. What’s your boy’s
name?
THE MERCHANT
Maxime de Beauffremont.
The barman freezes. Nearby, one of the thugs has
overheard, and whispers in the ear of a man who looks to
be the leader of his gang (PERDUCAS).
BARMAN
(whispering)
You should have spoken more
quietly. I’m going to have to let
you out the back door.
Perducas gets up from the table of thugs. His build is
impressive.
THE MERCHANT
I have to find him, at all costs.
BARMAN
(gesturing toward
Perducas)
You’re not the only one. Come
back behind the counter, and
fast.
The barman opens a low door that opens onto an alley.
Too late! Perducas and his men have already surrounded
the merchant.
PERDUCAS
Monsieur de Beauffremont! I’ve
been looking for your son for
months. But in the end you’re the
one I find...
THE MERCHANT
What do you want with him? I
don’t know you...
Perducas lifts a side of his coat. He is carrying a
long, razor-sharp knife in his belt.
PERDUCAS
Maxime owes me a certain sum...
Where have you been hiding all
this time?
THE MERCHANT
We’ve not been hiding...
The barman pulls an old rifle from under the bar and
aims it at Perducas’s temple.
BARMAN
None of that in my bar, Perducas.
Leave the old man alone.
Perducas steps back. His eyes filled with rage, he sees
the merchant slip behind the bar.
The merchant thanks the barman with his eyes and
disappears into the night.
Giving up on confronting the barman, Perducas and his
men surge back and leave though the front door.
EXT. ALLEYS NEAR THE PORT – NIGHT
Racing around the tavern, Perducas and his men reach the
head of the alley. No sign of the merchant. He has
disappeared.
A bit further away...
The rain has turned to snow. The merchant picks up his
pace as he reaches his horse, glancing backwards with
fear.
EXT. FOREST/PATH – NIGHT
Slumped on his horse, the merchant is travelling through
a snowstorm. The wind whistles through the trees. A
think layer of snow covers the path.
Exhausted, chilled to the bone, the merchant has fallen
asleep in the saddle. Left to itself, his horse has
wandered off the path.
A strange silhouette is watching the scene through the
trees.
It is impossible to say whether it’s a man or a beast.
All we can see are its orange eyes, fluorescent like
melted glass. Its long, downy ears make it look like a
demon. Wearing a coat of white furs, THE BEAST almost
blends in with the frozen landscape.
The horse senses the Beast’s presence and rears up. The
merchant emerges from his slumber. Too late! The ground
falls out from beneath the horse’s hooves. The rider and
his mount fall into a ravine.
EXT. FOREST/RAVINE – NIGHT
The merchant struggles to get up and sees that the two
front legs of his horse are broken.
THE MERCHANT
I don’t even have a weapon to
finish you off. Please forgive
me.
After stroking the horse’s muzzle one last time, the old
man begins his climb up out of the ravine, talking to
himself the whole time.
THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)
I’ll prove to you that I am not
weak, my son.
Left alone, the terrified horse suddenly sees the Beast
approaching, growling...
EXT. FOREST – NIGHT
In the middle of the storm we hear the horrible
whinnying of the horse, followed by the long howl of the
mysterious Beast.
Gripped with fear, the merchant starts running,
struggling against both the wind and the snow.
Suddenly, through the branches, he spots a faint light
below him. He runs toward it.
THE MERCHANT
The house! I’ve made it home!
(suddenly turning pale)
No, it’s not the house...
His foot slips in the snow. He falls backward and slides
endlessly down a series of narrow, ice-covered
gullies... His head hits a stone.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GROUNDS – NIGHT

After his long fall, the merchant lands in thick grass.

Fireflies flutter about him.
Groggy, he looks around at the garden planted with
strangely-shaped trees, a mysterious oasis bathed in
eternal spring.
Taking a few steps, the merchant finds himself face to
face with a colossal, moss-covered stone head, half-
hidden by a bed of flowers.
Further away, an enormous sculpture of a hand emerges
from the earth, as if the remains of a giant were buried
under the garden.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GARDEN PATH – NIGHT
Escorted by the fireflies, the merchant walks down a
garden path. The full moon is casting its soft light
over the extraordinary garden.
The merchant sees other monumental faces that seem to be
staring at him from their sculpted eyes.
At the end of the path, the merchant finds a castle of
unimaginable splendor overhanging a rocky abyss spanned
by a bridge.
The merchant crosses the bridge. The monumental door of
the edifice is standing open. The merchant steps inside.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/ENTRANCE HALL - NIGHT
The merchant finds himself in an immense entrance hall.
 THE MERCHANT
(shouting)
I’m lost...the door was open...
(louder)
Is anyone here?
His voice reverberates through the vaulted hall. A
feeling of desolation hangs over the place—the entire
castle is invaded by brambles. A door creaks open. The
merchant takes a few steps, worried.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/DINING ROOM – NIGHT
He enters a vast dining room, the high walls of which,
covered with statues, reach up into the darkness. He
senses a presence, some murmuring. Things are hiding in
the shadows...
THE MERCHANT
Are you there?

All of sudden, two chandeliers come alight, lighting a

table so long that the other end of it is lost in the
darkness. Another chandelier is lit further away,
revealing a large dish of steaming meat pies.
THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)
I’m dreaming. Or I’m dead and
this is paradise.
The merchant holds his hand out to a candle. He pulls it
back instantly, grimacing.
THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)
No, I’m alive. And starving.
He grabs a meat pie, hesitates a moment, then devours
it. Overcome by raging hunger, he gobbles up a few, one
after the other.
THE MERCHANT
I’m just taking a few things from
the table, OK?
A few more candles come alight, revealing in succession
baskets of fruit, plates full of cakes, crystal
decanters full of luminous wines. The merchant walks
along the table, wolfing down fruits and cakes, throwing
back glass after glass of wine.
As soon as one chandelier lights up, another goes out.
In the darkness, we can make out strange little
creatures with big round eyes (TADUMS) who carry away
the platters with impish little yelps.
THE TADUMS (O.S.)
Tadum! Tadum!
Sensing their presence, the merchant halts.
THE MERCHANT
(mouth full)
Who’s there?
THE TADUMS (O.S.)
Tadum! Tadum!
The merchant leans over the table, trying to see the
little creatures, but they immediately slip into the
darkness.
Suddenly dizzy, the merchant drops into a chair and
pulls open his coat.
THE MERCHANT
Don’t worry, I’ll go in a few
minutes!
(he burps)
Pardon me!

He laughs to himself, a bit drunk. Suddenly, a light

comes on at the other end of the room, revealing two
enormous chests. Intrigued, the merchant gets up and
goes to look.
When he discovers their contents, he is stunned. His
hands trembling, he rummages in his pocket for Anne and
Clotilde’s list. He takes the inventory of the chests as
he goes down the list.
THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)
...the robes...the shawls...the
powders... Incredible!
Everything’s there! Except...
There is a picture of a rose at the bottom of the list!
The merchant jumps at the sound of whinnying. He turns
around—and his horse is coming toward him, pawing at the
floor, its hooves clicking on the wood flooring.
Stunned, the merchant stares at the horse’s legs,
miraculously healed. Chomping at the bit, the horse
pushes the merchant toward the chests with his head,
then lowers himself down on his front legs. After a
moment’s hesitation, the merchant loads the chests onto
his horse’s back...
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GARDEN PATH – NIGHT
The merchant is leading the horse away from the castle,
though it has a hard time advancing under the weight of
the chests. The fireflies light the path.
The old man notices an incredible hedge of roses in the
garden, almost ten feet high. Seeing one flower more
beautiful than the others, the merchant reaches out to
pick it. A thorn tears at his hand, but he pulls harder
and manages to take the flower.
Just as the stem breaks, the earth starts shaking. The
plants spread apart. An enormous stone face springs out
from the rose hedge, its mossy mouth open in a deafening
scream.
The merchant steps back, terrified.
On the shoulder of the stone giant sits the Beast. Its
massive silhouette stands out against the moon.
THE BEAST
(roaring)
On your knees!
The merchant remains motionless, petrified by this
vision, of which all we can see are the eyes of fire.

THE BEAT (CONT’D)

You see me, yet you dare disobey
me?
THE MERCHANT
(falling to his knees)
What... Who are you? I thought
the chests...
THE BEAST
My gifts were not enough for you?
You had to desecrate the most
hallowed of my treasures?
The merchant squeezes the rose so hard that it loses a
petal. Furious, the Beast pounces on him, flattening him
to the ground with his huge clawed paws. Terrified, the
merchant looks away and begs for forgiveness.
THE MERCHANT
I’m not a thief. I’m an honest
and worthy man.
THE BEAST
Are you? Then you shall die on
your feet, like an honest man.
THE MERCHANT
Die for a rose? Misfortune
pursues my family without pity...
The Beast relaxes his hold. The merchant avoids meeting
the creature’s incandescent gaze.
THE BEAST
To whom was the rose destined?
 THE MERCHANT
To the youngest of my daughters.
She is the most precious thing I
have in the world.
THE BEAST
I leave you twenty-four hours to
bid adieu to those you love. Then
you shall come back here to
receive your punishment.
The merchant shakes his head.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
You think you have a choice?
THE MERCHANT
I cannot abandon my children.
THE BEAST
You need only whisper to your
horse “More than anything in the
world,” and he will bring you
back here.
The merchant closes his eyes, terrified.
THE MERCHANT
I will not return.
Sharp claws emerge slowly from the Beast’s huge paws.
THE BEAST
(in the merchant’s ear)
Believe me, you will return. If
you are not here tomorrow, I will
decimate your family. They will
die, one by one. And I will
finish with the youngest of your
daughters, since she is the one
you love most.
The Beast’s voice seems to fade.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
Remember: A life for a rose.
The Beast’s voice goes silent, replaced by the howling
of the wind. The merchant opens his eyes again.
EXT. FOREST/PATH – NIGHT
...and finds himself once again in the snow-covered
forest, lost in a blizzard. His horse is by his side,
the chests harnessed to the saddle. He is still gripping
the stolen rose.
The merchant hears voices calling out, sees flickering
lanterns coming his way.
Having come out in search of him, Maxime and his
brothers are now riding to meet him.
INT. COTTAGE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Woken by shouts coming from downstairs, Belle gets out
of bed.
INT. COTTAGE/STAIRS – NIGHT
The girl heads down the stairs toward the kitchen.
MAXIME (O.S.)
This monster and rose business
makes no sense! Father, think
about it for a minute...
In silence, Belle observes her family through the half-
open door.
INT. COTTAGE/KITCHEN – NIGHT
The merchant’s children surround their father. He leans
toward the two chests open at his feet.
THE MERCHANT
(to Maxime)
So how do you explain this? You
can clearly see that they’re
real.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
“More than anything in the
world...” And by magic your horse
will find the castle again?
Belle’s sisters are crushed.
CLOTILDE
It’s our fault. It’s all our
fault...
ANNE
Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not
the one who asked for that
flower!
JEAN-BAPTISTE
It’s not anyone’s fault!
THE MERCHANT
Children! I cannot explain who
that beast is. But since I stole
this rose, I must go back there
in only a few hours.
 TRISTAN
What is he going to do?
THE MERCHANT
I don’t know, Tristan. He said,
“A life for a rose...”
TRISTAN
And if you don’t obey him?
The merchant looks solemnly at his children.
THE MERCHANT
Then you will all die as well.
Clotilde notices Belle through the half-open door.
Everyone falls silent. Belle comes in, deathly pale, and
goes to the table where the rose is lying.
The merchant casts his eyes downward with great sadness.

INT. COTTAGE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT

Strangely calm, Belle changes her nightshirt for a
dress. The merchant comes in, his face solemn. He closes
the door behind him.
BELLE
Don’t say anything. I know what
they’re all thinking. That mama
died giving me life, and now...
THE MERCHANT
I don’t understand what you’re
saying.
BELLE
I won’t be responsible for your
death as well!
Belle leaves the room, closing the door behind her.
The merchant runs after her and discovers that she has
blocked the door.
THE MERCHANT
Belle! BELLE!
INT. COTTAGE/STAIRS – NIGHT
Belle races down the stairs. Her brothers and sisters
watch her pass in front of them in disbelief. We hear
the merchant banging on the door upstairs.
Belle takes a cloak from a peg near the door and puts it
on.
 BELLE
Don’t forget to love me!
And she runs off.
Tristan runs up the stairs to free their father. The
door is blocked by a chair slid up under the knob.
EXT. COTTAGE – DAWN
The day is dawning over the snowy hills that surround
the cottage. Belle, mounted upon her father’s horse,
turns back one last time...
She sees the merchant, followed by his children, racing
from the cottage to catch her. So she flees at a gallop,
disappearing into the shadows of the hills.
In tears, the merchant hurries to follow her. He is
immediately surrounded by his children, who keep him
from going any further. In their embrace, he falls to
his knees in the snow, sobbing...
EXT. FOREST – DAWN
Belle and her horse enter the forest. The young girl
hesitates a few seconds, then leans forward to whisper
in her horse’s ear.
BELLE
More than anything in the
world...
The horse leaps up. The trees, the bushes, the forest
itself parts to let it through.
Belle clings to her horse’s neck. Her eyes staring at
the horse’s feet kicking up the powdery snow, she speaks
to the animal.
BELLE (CONT’D)
Guide me to the castle. Lead me
to that beast. Let me save my
father’s life.
Belle is scratched by dead branches as she races by. The
ribbon that was holding her hair is pulled off and left
behind, hanging from some brambles.
Suddenly, under the horse’s feet, there is no more snow,
but thick green grass...
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GROUNDS - DAWN
...Belle sits up in her saddle and discovers the Beast’s
estate. Fog creates halos over the landscape. A heavy
silence reigns everywhere.
Belle gets off her horse, shivering with fear and cold.
Her cloak is torn, covered with brambles and leaves.
Grimacing, she pulls a thorn planted deeply in her
finger. A drop of blood falls into the grass.
Belle walks through the grounds, watched over by the
half-buried stone faces.
Behind her, just where her drop of blood fell, a red
flower is slowing emerging from the earth!
Belle walks all the way to the castle. The first light
of day outlines the graceful architecture.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/ENTRANCE HALL – DAWN
Filled with a dense mist, the interior of the castle is
a blur of stone, gray and brown tones. All of the doors
are closed.

Candles light, bringing out the colors and inviting

Belle to climb the great staircase.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/STAIRS – DAWN
Belle’s steps ring out on the stairs. She decides to
remove her shoes. Carrying them, she skirts the life-
size broken statues that litter the floor.
The staircase is lined with moldy, faded tapestries. The
brambles mesh with the motifs in a sort of floral
trompe-l‘oeil.
Amidst the unicorns and other chimeras embroidered into
the tapestries, one of the creatures follows Belle with
its eyes: it is the Beast, who is hiding among the
mythical creatures!
The Beast steps silently after Belle. Then, gripping the
vines, he continues his way by climbing the walls.
At the top of the stairs, Belle discovers the back side
of the castle, completely smashed open. She leans out
over the abyss.
BELLE
(whispering)
AH hahhh! OH hohhh! EH hehhh!
Her whispers resound in the chasm...
A crashing noise makes her jump. In the distance, an
arch collapses. The castle is an unstable ruin that the
plants are slowly but surely destroying.
EXT. BEAST’S CASTLE/GALLERY – DAY
Belle follows the chandeliers that light up all along an
outside gallery that overhangs the abyss. She has to
climb over the broken statues on the floor.
Feeling she is being watched, she looks around, but
doesn’t see the Beast who is moving along above her head
through the plants.
One of the doors giving onto the gallery opens...
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM - DAY
Belle discovers a room. The wild plants give it the
appearance of an interior garden.
Shivering, she holds her shredded cloak tight.
Immediately, a fire begins to burn in the fireplace. The
flames cast a gentle and soothing light that dispels the
foggy veil. Belle raises her round eyes to the
shimmering wall coverings. Above her, the crystal
chandeliers begin to sparkle. The entire room comes to
life.
On a silk mannequin enthroned near a dressing table is a
sumptuous ivory dress adorned with opaline glass beads.
Filled with wonder, Belle goes to touch the fabric, but
freezes: her hands are dirty and scratched.
Belle sees a large basin carved from giant block of
amethyst. She leans over it and plunges her wounded
hands in. Tiny lights come and dance around her fingers.
The girl pulls her hands out. Fascinated, she sees her
cuts fade, then disappear entirely.
A growl, like that of a wild cat, pierces the silence.
Belle looks around. She seems to be alone...
EXT. BEAST’S CASTLE/WALLS – DAY
Through the window, hanging from the outside wall, the
Beast is watching Belle get undressed and dip her entire
body into the amethyst basin.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – DUSK
Dressed now in the ivory gown, Belle is looking at
herself in a tall standing mirror. We’ve never seen her
this beautiful, this much a woman.
Suddenly, she hears a melody. A few simple, melancholy
chords.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BALLROOM – DUSK
Guided by the music, Belle goes back down to the
entrance hall. Two grand doors open, inviting her to
step into a sumptuous ballroom.
The music has stopped, but a note is still resonating.
It is coming from a cello, standing there with other
instruments, one of its strings still vibrating.
Near the instruments, Belle is alarmed to discover some
marks in the dust: the tracks of an animal, twice as big
as her own feet.
The chimes of a standing clock begin ringing seven
o’clock. The doors of the dining room open. Belle steps
toward them...
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/DINING ROOM – DUSK
One place setting has been laid out on the dining room
table.
Hiding in the shadows, the Tadums greet Belle’s arrival
with mischievous murmuring.
Belle walks toward the table and suddenly notices,
spreading out on the floor, the diabolical shadow of the
Beast following her. Belle freezes, terrified. Without
turning around, she introduces herself.
BELLE
My name is Belle. I am the
daughter of the merchant, and I
have come to exchange my life for
his.
THE BEAST (O.S.)
Sit down.
Belle is petrified with fear, unable to move. The Beast
lets loose with a roar that sounds like an order.
Belle sits down, trembling. Tears are running down her
cheeks. The small furry paw of a Tadum comes out of the
shadows and places a lace handkerchief on her knees.
Belle stares wide-eyed, seeing the little paw disappear
almost instantly.
THE BEAST (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Eat.
The Tadums, hidden under the table, follow the scene,
commenting on it with their strange little yapping.
Belle brings a piece of bread to her lips. Behind her
back, the Beast gradually emerges from the dark. For the
first time, we distinctly see his feline face and dark,
lustrous fur.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
Once you’ve regained your
strength, go where you like on my
 estate. But you may not leave the
castle once night has fallen.
BELLE
Who gave you permission to speak
to me with such familiarity?
Surprised, the Beast hesitates a moment, then bursts out
in ferocious laughter.
THE BEAST
You have your father’s nerve!
BELLE
I forbid you to speak of him.
THE BEAST
Cease giving me orders!
BELLE
Cease being disrespectful!

The Beast growls in Belle’s ear. She remains silent.

THE BEAST
You must be here at seven o’clock
every evening. And you must
answer all of my questions.
BELLE
If I am to die, it would be
better if it were now.
The Beast leans toward Belle. She senses the tips of his
whiskers prickling her neck and shoulders. She holds her
breath.
THE BEAST
I’m warning you: it is pointless
to attempt to flee. The forest
will close around you and you
will die of fear and cold.
Remember, I know where to find
your family...
Belle suddenly glimpses the deformed reflection of the
Beast in the gold of the platters sitting before her.
Horrified, she grabs a knife and turns toward him,
brandishing it. But the Beast is no longer there!
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Belle returns to her room. Her bed has been made by the
Tadums who slip away and hide in the corners. They watch
her kneel down at the foot of her bed and join her hands
in prayer.
 BELLE
Dearest mama... I don’t know
where I am, and I’m afraid...
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/CORRIDOR – NIGHT
Motionless behind the door to Belle’s room, the Beast
listens to her murmur her prayers. Then he wanders off
into the depths of the castle.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Belle is finishing her prayers.
BELLE
Watch over Papa and my brothers
and sisters. Help them never to
forget me. Give me courage and
protect me with your love.
Exhausted, Belle climbs onto her enormous bed. She curls
up, fully dressed, on the soft eiderdown and falls
asleep. The candles go out, one after the other.
The Tadums come out of their hiding places and assemble
around the bed, murmuring their adoration. In the half-
light, their gentle eyes look like tiny paper lanterns.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GROUNDS – NIGHT
The climbing plants continue their slow work of
destruction. A balcony collapses.
A nocturnal breeze rises. The grass and leaves begin to
rustle. The water in the fountains ripples. Nature
buzzes with its thousand sounds, its own simple lament.
Hundreds of fireflies rise from the hedge of roses and
fly to the castle in long, luminous ribbons.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Coming in through the window, the fireflies land all
around the sleeping, agitated Belle, who is deep in a
dream...
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE – NIGHT (BELLE’S DREAM #1)
Belle is running through the half-lit castle. Like a
moth, she is drawn to the bright light in the dining
room.
The glimmer is coming from a large mirror decorated with
animal heads. In the reflection of the glass, Belle
discovers the castle as we’ve never seen it: colorful,
lively, filled with guards in armor and servants coming
and going with food-laden platters.
Belle suddenly realizes that the reflection in the
mirror is not her own. It is that of a young PRINCESS
with almond-shaped eyes and honey-colored skin. Her
blond hair is braided into one long braid that hangs all
the way down her back.
The camera moves through the mirror.
INT. CASTLE/ENTRANCE HALL – DUSK (BELLE’S DREAM #1)
...and now we are transported to the Princess’s side.
She races down the staircase, bumping a servant.
THE PRINCESS
There they are, at last!
Two guards open the main door, letting in a pack of
hunting dogs, who spread through the entrance hall,
barking. One of them jumps up into the Princess’s arms
and nuzzles at her neck.

She smiles as her husband, THE PRINCE, comes inside. He

is splendid in his gold-brocaded black leather hunting
attire. But his gaze is cruel, his smile ferocious.
Everything about him radiates power.
He is accompanied by his closest friends, four splendid
and arrogant young men. They carry over their shoulders
the carcasses of wild boar and deer from their hunt.
FRIEND #1
Where are our women?
FRIEND #2
Yours is in my room, didn’t you
know?!
FRIEND #1
(laughing)
Oh yes, I forgot, it’s your
sister who awaits in my bed!
FRIEND #2
I’ll bash your teeth in, you
filthy beggar!
They throw the carcasses down and pretend to fight.
FRIEND #3
(to a servant)
You, over there, come take all
this off our hands.
The servants bustle about the hunters. At the sight of
the dead animals, the Princess’s smile slowly fades. The
Prince steps toward her, looking threatening.
 THE PRINCE
I’ve always known you were
unfaithful.
THE PRINCESS
What are you saying?
THE PRINCE
(staring ferociously at
the dog)
I’ll finish off that wretch in
one bite.
The dog, cuddled in the Princess’s arms, wriggles and
begins to whimper with fear. The young woman laughs and
lets it escape. She sighs when she sees it hiding under
a pedestal table.
THE PRINCESS
Ah! Such a hairy chest and yet so
cowardly!

The Prince grabs the Princess by the waist and places on

her lips a passionate kiss. Their friends circle them
and try to pull them apart.
FRIEND #1
Keep your filthy paws off there!
FRIEND #2
Ha, hah, my friend! No doe, no
reward!
The Princess’s face clouds over.
THE PRINCESS
You still haven’t given up?
THE PRINCE
For years she has escaped me, but
I know I shall have her. She will
be my most beautiful trophy,
after you...
A young man removes an arrow from a quiver, gilded with
fine gold, and shows it to the Princess.
FRIEND #2
Look what we’ve given him.
Entirely golden, like the coat of
that doe.
FRIEND #3
Come along, I’m thirsty, we need
a drink!
The Prince is dragged away by his friends. The Princess
slowly climbs the stairs, gripping the railing.
INT. CASTLE/BEDROOM – NIGHT (BELLE’S DREAM #1)
The Princess is facing the open windows of her bedroom.
She is brushing her long hair, staring into space. Her
golden hair dances on a slight breeze. She closes her
eyes and breathes of the odors of outside.
The Prince comes to join her. He takes off his leather
coat and, his shirt half-unbuttoned, he comes toward his
wife to kiss her neck. She laughs.
THE PRINCESS
You smell of the hunt!
He lifts her up in his arms and lays her out on the bed.
THE PRINCESS (CONT’D)
My love, I want to ask you
something.

He starts unfastening her bodice.

THE PRINCE
Something amoral?
THE PRINCESS
I want you to renounce that doe.
THE PRINCE
Why?
THE PRINCESS
I’ve had enough of you leaving
all night to hunt her. I feel
terribly alone here without you.
The Prince thinks it over.
THE PRINCE
Very well. But on one condition:
that you give me what I’ve always
dreamt of.
THE PRINCESS
I thought I had fulfilled all of
your dreams!
The Prince looks at her with great solemnity.
THE PRINCE
Give me an heir.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – DAWN
Belle opens her eyes. Right in the place of the Prince,
she sees the Beast leaning over her, watching her sleep.
Belle’s eyes go wide with terror. The Beast stands up
straight, and, pulling back into the shadows,
disappears.
Belle sits up, trembling.
The first rays of dawn are lighting the mannequin, where
now a green dress adorned with emeralds awaits.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GARDEN – DAY
Belle, magnificent in the emerald dress, is exploring
the garden, intrigued by the stone giants. She walks
around one of the immense heads. When she lays her hand
on it, she thinks she hears a sort of scream in the
distance. She runs away.
Further along, she sees a tree leaning at an angle,
which she climbs, being careful not to damage her dress.
From this observation post, she sees that the borders of
the estate are lost in the fog.

A cracking sound makes her jump. Below her, Belle thinks

she sees a doe racing through the trees. A ray of sun
shines on her golden hide. Belle climbs back down the
tree, jumping from branch to branch, and starts running
after that unreal vision.
Once the doe seems to have vanished into nature, Belle
notices the rosebush from which her father picked the
rose, and in which the garden fireflies nest.
Belle walks around it and discovers, hidden in the heart
of the hedge, a passage. She steps into it.
INT. BEAST’S ESTATE/NAVE OF PLANTS – DAY
Belle walks cautiously through the enormous, tangled
roots: the plants that are taking apart the castle all
grow from this place!
In the heart of the hedge, in the middle of a sort of
nave made of plants, stands a magnificent statue of a
woman, partly covered in ivy.
Fascinated, Belle takes a step toward her. But she
freezes and stops breathing: the Beast, asleep, is
curled up at the feet of the statue. Bones and masses of
fur litter the ground around him, the remains of the
wild cat’s meals.
Belle leans toward him. She sees his chest rising and
falling, rays of light illuminating his silky fur. Belle
slowly extends a hand. Suddenly, the Beast’s ears
twitch: he has sensed Belle’s presence.
He sits up, growling. Belle has disappeared, but her
perfume still lingers in the air. The Beast sniffs all
around him, then, in a leap, climbs up a root. In the
distance, we can see the young woman running back toward
the castle.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/DINING ROOM – DUSK
The standing clock finishes ringing seven o’clock. The
Beast is already in the dining room, his back turned.
THE BEAST
You are late.
Belle sits down, a bit stiffly.
BELLE
Never come into my room again.
THE BEAST
I have every right.
BELLE
That we shall see. Mind you, I
should do as you do and sleep
during the day.
Stunned by the allusion, the Beast turns toward Belle.
Lit by candlelight, he is both fascinating and
terrifying. Belle gives him a challenging look.
THE BEAST
Don’t look at me.
(turning away)
Eat.
BELLE
And you, aren’t you eating?
THE BEAST
You wouldn’t like to see it.
A weighty silence settles in.
BELLE
Am I allowed to speak, or am I to
eat in silence like a child?
THE BEAST
That is what you are. An arrogant
child.
Belle is about to take a sip from a big glass of wine,
but puts it down instead.
BELLE
I like to give the impression
that I am childish and frivolous.
That way, people get the wrong
idea about me. And I have time to
 think about the kind of woman I’d
like to be.
THE BEAST
You are terrible chatterbox.
BELLE
I’m certain you like it. I fill
the emptiness...
(looking around)
I had a strange dream... It was
as if I was here, but at the same
time elsewhere. To whom does this
castle belong?
THE BEAST
It is mine. Everything here
belongs to me.
BELLE
You are a beast, but you talk
like an ordinary man! In the end,
you are quite disappointing.
Speaking of beasts, I...
She stops, aware of her own audacity.
THE BEAST
Continue, please. You were
talking about a “beast”...
BELLE
I... I thought I saw a doe this
afternoon.
The Beast darkens.
THE BEAST
A doe? Impossible! No animal
dares venture onto my domain.
They all fear me.
He takes a few steps toward Belle, who sinks into her
chair.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
And you, do I scare you?
BELLE
You know it very well.
THE BEAST
Do you think you could be happy
here?
BELLE
Night, like day, I wait for you
to decide my fate. You play with
 me as if I were a mouse between
your paws. So no, I will never be
happy here.
THE BEAST
It could be so simple. All you
have to do is...love me.
Belle leaps up from her chair.
BELLE
You are completely mad!
The Beast leaps like a wildcat onto the table and swoops
down upon Belle, knocking over everything between them.
He stops mere inches from her face.
Belle confronts him. The depths of the Beast’s eyes,
usually yellow, turn to red. He roars.
THE BEAST
Cast your eyes down! I told you
never to look at me!
Belle holds his eyes for a few seconds. Then at last she
obeys him.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
I repeat, everything here belongs
to me. You may well resist, but
you belong to me. Like everything
on this estate.
Under the table, the Tadums tremble with fear, huddling
close together.
With a roar, the Beast disappears into the shadows.
Belle sits down, erect and dignified.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BALLROOM – DAY
Dressed in a raw silk gown embroidered with pearls,
Belle is exploring the castle. She starts with the
ballroom, plunged in semi-darkness. She pulls back the
torn curtains to let in the daylight.
She blows off the dust that has settled over the musical
instruments, pulls off the wild plants that have closed
in on the furniture.
Turning around, she looks up and discovers a fresco
painted on the ceiling. It shows scenes from the life of
the castle, the court, the hunting parties. In the
middle of the fresco, we recognize the Prince and the
Princess. Dressed in red, they are holding hands.
 BELLE
A love like yours... What became
of it?
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/VARIOUS ROOMS – DUSK
The seven o’clock chimes are ringing through the dark
castle, lit by the blood-red glow of the sunset. We
follow the Beast, who is walking to his daily
rendezvous. The doors open before him as if by magic.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/DINING ROOM – DUSK
The Beast stops at the threshold of the dining room when
he sees Belle seated at the table. For the first time,
the young woman has arrived ahead of him.
Belle’s eyes are staring straight in front of her,
impassive. The Beast approaches behind her back. He
contemplates her shoulders, white as porcelain, without
daring to lay his cat paws on them.

THE BEAST
You say nothing this evening?
(beat)
You know, you are right: you are
filling a great absence. I think
I have never heard you laugh, and
that would please me greatly...
Motionless, Belle still says nothing. The Beast strokes
the fabric of Belle’s gown, and she shivers.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
Do you like my gifts? You haven’t
said... I want you to be happy
here, Belle...
Belle remains mute. The Beast brings his paw to her
long, golden curls. He is about to touch them, then
changes his mind. He looks a long time at the young girl
whose back is to him, then leaves the room, without
Belle having moved or spoken.
Belle listens to the sound of his steps moving away
through the castle. Without touching her meal, she gets
up and leaves.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/CORRIDORS – NIGHT
Belle goes up to her room, holding a candlestick. A tiny
glimmer in the immense, gloomy castle.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Belle blocks her door with a chair. Then, throwing her
clothes onto her bed, she begins slipping into a lace
nightdress.
 BELLE
(imitating the Beast)
“You belong to me; laugh; don’t
look at me; love me!” Ha...
Exasperated, she struggles with the nightdress.
BELLE (CONT’D)
I shall teach that animal
manners.
Her nightdress on, Belle climbs into her bed and
screams: nested in her pillows is a crude doll made of
clumps of fur, sticks, and leaves!
She picks up the doll with her fingertips and starts
laughing.
BELLE (CONT’D)
Oooo, what a marvelous gift! Did
you make it?
THE TADUMS (O.S.)
TaaaaDUUUUUM!
Belle looks all around, trying to guess where the Tadums
are hiding. She examines the doll.
BELLE
Well, look at that! It’s me! An
exact copy! I’ll put it on the
dresser. That way I’ll always
have it close by!
Hidden under the bed, the Tadums chuckle with joy.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE – NIGHT
An uncanny wind starts to blow through the ruins of the
castle. It catches in the torn curtains, makes the
chandeliers sway.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GARDEN AND NAVE OF PLANTS – NIGHT
In the garden, clouds of fireflies rise from the hedge
of roses. They pour from the statue in the heart of the
nave!
Like the previous night, the clouds of fireflies go in
through the window of Belle’s room, where she is tossing
and turning in her sleep...
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE – NIGHT (BELLE’S DREAM #2)
Once again, Belle is dreaming that she is running
through the darkened castle, irresistibly drawn to the
great mirror. This time, we hear music. On the other
side, there is a ball...
INT. CASTLE/BALLROOM – DUSK (BELLE’S DREAM #2)
Men and women in evening dress are awaiting the arrival
of the princely couple. Concert artists are playing
joyful music, accompanying the impassioned discussions
and crystal-clear voices of the women.
The Prince and Princess finally arrive, dazzling in
their ceremonial attire. They are flanked by the
Prince’s four friends.
Winning smiles for the women, virile nods to the men...
The crowd goes silent when the Prince speaks.
THE PRINCE
My friends! Today is a big day!
(he looks at his wife)
Our kingdom shall at last have an
heir!
Everyone applauds. The Prince’s friends boast and brag.
FRIEND #1
(to a young woman)
What do you say I give you an
heir as well?
YOUNG WOMAN
You’ll be needing a kingdom
first!
FRIEND #2
(to the Prince)
Pray heaven it doesn’t look like
you!
FRIEND #3
That’s what your mother said to
your father, and look what
happened!
They all laugh as the princely couple leads the dancing.
THE PRINCESS
(waltzing)
You’ve never been as handsome as
you are now.
THE PRINCE
Because I’ve never been as happy
as I am now.
 THE PRINCESS
I’ve kept my promise, so you must
keep yours.
THE PRINCE
Remind me what it was...
THE PRINCESS
The golden hind. You promised you
would stop hunting her.
The Prince hesitates a moment. In lieu of an answer, he
leads his wife into the swirl of the dance as the guests
applaud.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – DAWN
Belle comes back to herself. She is standing in the
middle of her room, turning like a sleepwalker in the
golden glow of dawn.

Around her, the notes of the waltz and the applause of

the crowd fade to faraway echoes.
The door is still blocked by the chair. And yet, on the
mannequin we see a blue gown adorned with turquoise
beads!
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE – DAY
Dressed in blue, Belle continues exploring the castle.
She looks through keyholes, tries to pick locks with a
hairpin. In vain.
She hears the yapping of the Tadums, who are following
her on tiptoe. But whenever she turns around, they flee
and hide.
Picking up speed to leave them behind, Belle hides
behind some wall hangings. Through the torn fabric, she
sees the Tadums coming closer, surprised not to see her
anymore. For the first time, she can look at them at her
leisure. They are a joyful troop of long-eared, short-
legged creatures.
Suddenly, a little spider comes and lands on Belle’s
nose. The young girl bursts out of her hiding place,
shrieking.
Terrified by her sudden appearance, the Tadums scatter,
yelping frantically.
Belle slips to the ground laughing, her clothes covered
with cobwebs.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Belle is seated at the table, waiting for the Beast. She
continues her conquest of the Tadums, offering them an
orange. They fight over the fruit, squealing with
excitement. The victorious Tadum lays the orange peel on
the table, folded like a flower.
BELLE
A flower! Oh, it’s a rose...
Belle suddenly becomes melancholy.
BELLE (CONT’D)
You must have seen my father when
he was here?
The chimes sound seven o’clock. The Beast appears. Belle
stands up to greet him. He gazes at her in her blue
gown.
THE BEAST
Your name suits you very well.

A tear runs down Belle’s cheek.

THE BEAST (CONT’D)
What is it?
BELLE
I miss my family. I need to know
if they are well.
THE BEAST
Everything you had before, you
must forget.
BELLE
Perhaps it suits you never to
think of your past, but I haven’t
given up.
THE BEAST
You know nothing about me.
BELLE
You’re right, perhaps I am
mistaken... Let me offer you a
deal.
THE BEAST
News of you family in exchange
for your love?
BELLE
You are stubborn.
THE BEAST
Hard-headed.
Belle approaches the Beast.
BELLE
I’ll give you a dance. In
exchange, you tell how my family
is.
The Beast narrows his cat eyes.
THE BEAST
Just one dance... You favor me
with your immense generosity.
ELLE
I will lead if it frightens you
so!
The Beast snarls with pleasure.
THE BEAST
The thought of your body pressing
against mine doesn’t repel you?
Determined, Belle steps toward the Beast. With the
gestures of a great lord, he bows before her and spreads
his arms.
In the shadows, the Tadums comically imitate the
movements of the Beast and Belle.
The young girl places her hand delicately in the Beast’s
paw. She shudders at the touch of his claws, which
immediately retract.
Belle lets herself be led by her partner and closes her
eyes. The music of the waltz in her dream begins to
play. At first far away, the music finally fills the
whole space. Belle opens her eyes again...
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE – NIGHT
...and finds herself waltzing with the Beast in the
middle of a floor full of guests. They applaud, then
join in the swirl of dancing.
Belle stares into the Beast’s eyes. For the first time,
she and the Beast look at each other without fear. The
Beast has never been so magnificent. Belle abandons
herself in his arms until she can hear him murmuring.
THE BEAST
Would you like to love me?
The spell is broken. Belle sees their reflection in a
mirror: a monster and his prisoner waltzing alone in the
middle of a crumbling castle.
Belle pulls herself out of his embrace.
 BELLE
I’ve told you already: never! And
now, keep your promise.
THE BEAST
It has been a long time since I
promised anything.
Belle watches him walk away, haughty and majestic.
BELLE
I hate you with all my heart.
Out of Belle’s sight, the Beast totters, as if the young
woman’s words had struck him to the heart.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Belle is kneeling at the foot of her bed. She is crying.
A Tadum comes to her and lays its head tenderly on her
knees. It sniffles sadly.
A few fireflies appear and, flying around Belle, invite
her to follow...
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GARDEN – NIGHT
The fireflies lead Belle through the garden. Nature is
buzzing, awakened by the wind.
In the distance we hear the roaring of the Beast.
Despite her fear, Belle continues walking toward the
giant rose bush, guided by the fireflies.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/NAVE OF PLANTS – NIGHT
At the heart of the rose hedge, the fireflies are
fluttering about the stone statue.
Belle pulls aside the brambles that hide the statue’s
face and discovers two enormous almond-shaped eyes
carved in stone. Feverish, she continues pulling away
the plants. The statue is carved a long braid coiled
around the body. The Princess from her dreams!
BELLE
You’re the one who shows me the
past while I sleep!
A beastly scream rends the night, startling Belle. The
wind shakes the rose bush.
BELLE (CONT’D)
Why do you do it?
Another scream rings out, more heart-rending than the
first. Red petals slip down the face of the stone
Princess like tears of blood.
The Beast approaches. Branches part to make a refuge
where Belle can hide. So concealed, she sees the Beast
enter the heart of the nave. He is carrying the carcass
of a wild boar. Belle watches him through the brambles.
The Beast tosses the remains of the boar at the foot of
the statue and kneels down. With a heartbreaking moan,
he plunges his razor-sharp teeth into the flesh.
Belle looks away, but the groaning of the Beast is so
painful that she turns to look again. Smoke is rising
from his fur: the Beast is devouring himself from
inside, as if eating was, for him, a form of
torture...or of punishment! Deeply moved, Belle emerges
from her hiding place and approaches the Beast.
When he looks up, a few drops of blood are spattered on
his lips. He breathing is labored.
THE BEAST
No, Belle! Leave, I beg of you!
The Beast roars at Belle, who steps back in fear, then
he falls backwards, exhausted. His chest heaves under
his smoking fur.
Belle kneels at his side and begins stroking his
forehead. He looks at her with his bloodshot eyes.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
It is unbearable to me that you
look upon me.
BELLE
Seeing you suffer gives me no
power over you.
THE BEAST
And yet, this is what I am. A
beast that devours other beasts.
Say it, that it’s revolting.
In lieu of responding, Belle continues to stroke him.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
Leave now.
Belle gets up and leaves him.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/CORRIDORS – DUSK
The chimes are ringing seven o’clock. Seated at the
table, Belle is waiting, worried, for the Beast to come.
A noise startles her.
 BELLE
Is it you?
THE BEAST (O.S.)
Yes, Belle, I am here.
Belle turns: it is as if the Beast had materialized at
her side. He is once again magnificent, far from the
pained Beast of the previous night. He holds out his
gloved hand to her in a princely gesture.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
Allow me to honor our
agreement...
Belle gives him her hand.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/CORRIDORS – DUSK
On the Beast’s arm, Belle accompanies him through the
corridors of the castle. He opens a hidden door and bows
to let her pass into the secret room.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/HALL OF MIRRORS – DUSK
The couple enters a room filled with hundreds of tiny
round mirrors. They are hanging from a complex mechanism
made of chains and pulleys.
The Beast pulls one of the chains to lower a mirror to
Belle’s level.
In a corner of the room, the Tadums are climbing one on
top of the other in order not to miss a thing.
THE BEAST
Blow on it. As hard as you can.
Belle takes a deep breath and blows, making the dust
fly. The mirror starts spinning, followed by all the
others.
The light bounces off the mirrors and the gems that
adorn Belle’s gown.
Veiled in thousands of swirling reflections, Belle
sparkles like a diamond. When suddenly...
INT. COTTAGE/KITCHEN – DUSK
...she is transported to the family cottage.
Her bothers and sisters are there, all together in the
kitchen. They are arguing.
TRISTAN
I forbid you to speak like that.
 ANNE
And I’m telling you that she’s
dead.
CLOTILDE
The Beast has certainly eaten her
up.
TRISTAN
I know she’s alive.
ANNE
My poor brother! It’s the most we
can wish for her—to have died
quickly, without suffering.
TRISTAN
Belle is stronger than the rest
of us put together.

Belle calls to her brothers and sisters.

BELLE
Tristan, Anne, Clotilde! I’m
alive!
But they can’t hear her or see her. Belle walks among
them like a ghost.
Seated near the fire, Maxime is sharpening the blade of
his sword.
MAXIME
I am going to kill that monster
and avenge our sister’s death.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
I’m with you!
ANNE
You’re being ridiculous. We’re
not in one of your adventure
stories. This is reality. Sadness
and misery.
Maxime looks at Anne, his eyes feverish.
MAXIME
You’re right, Anne. We’ve got to
get out of this mess. We’ll kill
the Beast...and take all of the
treasure in his castle.
TRISTAN
Have you listened to yourselves?
A second-rate hero. An amateur
 thief. And all the while, our
father...
The image and sound blur bit by bit.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/HALL OF MIRRORS - DUSK
The mirror stops spinning and the illusion immediately
disappears.
Belle looks at the Beast with dread.
BELLE
Something has happened to my
father! I must see him!
So the Beast blows on another mirror...
INT. COTTAGE/MERCHANT’S ROOM – DUSK
...and Belle finds herself in her father’s bedroom. The
old man is bedridden. His waxy face looks like a death
mask.
Belle leans over him.
BELLE
Father, hear my voice. I beg of
you, open your eyes.
The merchant opens his eyes: he has felt the presence of
his daughter!
THE MERCHANT
Belle? Is it you?
Sparkling glints of light fill the room. The merchant
sees his missing daughter materialize slowly in front of
him.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/HALL OF MIRRORS – DUSK
The Beast lays his paw on the mirror to interrupt the
flow of images. The spell is over.
Crushed, Belle clings to the Beast.
BELLE
He’s dying! Let me go see him.
Seeing a clear and final refusal in the Beast’s eyes,
Belle collapses on the freezing floor, unconscious.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – DUSK
The Beast carries the lifeless Belle to her room. He
lays her gently on her bed and gazes at her.
 THE BEAST
You ask of me something I cannot
grant you.
Belle’s chest slowly lifts.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
Belle, stay with me! It doesn’t
matter that you don’t love me and
that I shall remain cursed for
all time. You light up my
existence. Let us live this
strange life, unlike any other.
The Beast buries his muzzle in Belle’s gown. His claws
tense, shredding the bedspread.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/GARDEN – DAY
The plants and animals on the grounds are motionless and
silent.

EXT. BEAST’S CASTLE – DAY

In the distance, a tower of the castle collapses with a
terrible crash.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE/NAVE OF PLANTS – DAY
All around the statue of the Princess new roses are
blooming. One of them is opening slowly, more beautiful
than the others.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/DINING ROOM – DUSK
The chimes ring out the dinner hour, but there is no one
in the dining room. The chandeliers go out one by one,
casting the castle into darkness.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Belle is lying down, her face covered with tears.
The Beast comes into the room and lays the freshly
bloomed rose on her covers. Belle looks at it sadly.
The Beast delicately dries one of her tears. Belle lets
him do it.
THE BEAST
You’ve won: I shall allow you to
go see your family.
Belle gives the faintest of smiles.
BELLE
Truly? You’re not saying that to
torture me?
 THE BEAST
I grant you one day, one and no
more.
Belle sits up.
BELLE
I shall have to prepare. And I’m
so hungry!
We hear hysterical little voices. The Tadums come into
the room carrying platters of fruit, dropping apples and
oranges and tripping over them in their haste. They
scurry after the fruit rolling around on the floor.
The Beast helps Belle to sit up with her back resting on
her pillows, then goes to lean over the amethyst basin.
THE BEAST
(coming back toward her)
Hold out your hand.
BELLE
Which one?
THE BEAST
I don’t know, whichever! The left
one!
BELLE
You’re not going to give me a
ring!
THE BEAST
Keep quiet for once!
She holds out her hand. The Beast places in it a crystal
vial mounted as a pendant. Tiny lights dance inside it.
The Beast looks at Belle with a solemn expression.
THE BEAST (CONT’D)
You know the powers of this
water. If ever you are injured,
if ever anything happens to
you...
BELLE
Nothing will happen.
THE BEAST
Belle...if you do not return...
BELLE
I know, you’ll kill us all.
 THE BEAST
No, I shall die.
Belle tries to see his eyes, but he looks away.
BELLE
I’ll be here tomorrow. At seven
o’clock.
EXT. COTTAGE/GARDEN – NIGHT
Belle is on horseback, riding toward the cottage at full
gallop. Men suddenly spring from the shadows, swords in
hand, to circle the horsewoman. The horse rears in
terror.
Belle discovers that her assailants are her own
brothers. All four siblings double-take, each looking
around at the others, astounded.
BELLE
Is that how you welcome your
long-lost sister?
Belle’s brothers help her dismount and hug her, one
after the other.
TRISTAN
I knew it! I kept telling
everyone that you were alive!
BELLE
Why these weapons?
Jean-Baptiste sheaths his sword and glances furiously at
Maxime.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Ask him. I’m not sure he’ll have
the courage to tell you the
truth.
BELLE
We’ll discuss it later. Where is
Father?
TRISTAN
You need to know. He lost
consciousness four days ago.
Belle runs into the cottage.
INT. COTTAGE/MAIN ROOM – NIGHT
Anne and Clotilde jump with fright when Belle suddenly
appears before them.
Belle quickly tosses off her cape, dazzling in a coral
pink dress woven with rubies. She throws herself at her
sisters, embracing them both.
BELLE
You’re not dreaming, it’s really
me! I love you so, and once I’ve
seen Father I’ll tell you
everything!
She goes running up the stairs.
Stunned, Anne and Clotilde haven’t budged.
INT. COTTAGE/MERCHANT’S ROOM – NIGHT
The merchant is in bed. His breathing is labored.
Belle climbs up onto the big wooden bed and snuggles up
against her father like a small child.

BELLE
I’m back! It’s me, it’s really
me! Come back to life, Father
dear, do it for me!
Maxime, who has witnessed the scene, closes the bedroom
door soundlessly.
INT. COTTAGE/MAIN ROOM – NIGHT
Maxime returns to his brothers and sisters. Anne and
Clotilde are admiring Belle’s cape, the clasp of which
is an enormous ruby. He takes it from their hands.
MAXIME
We could get a lot for this
stone...
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Not enough to cover your debts.
No one notices when a firefly escapes from the folds of
Belle’s cape.
MAXIME
So we have to prepare for the
worst. Perducas and his gang will
come to take everything. And
since we have nothing left...
CLOTILDE
Why don’t we just go away for a
while? We can hide in the barn.
TRISTAN
We can’t transport father. He’s
too unwell.
 JEAN-BAPTISTE
There’s only one solution: fight!
With a quick yank, Maxime tears the ruby from the cape.
MAXIME
Maybe not...
The firefly flutters upstairs...
INT. COTTAGE/MERCHANT’S ROOM – NIGHT
Belle has fallen asleep beside her father. The firefly
comes and lands on the tips of her eyelashes. The young
girl is once again visited by a dream.
EXT. FOREST – NIGHT (BELLE’S DREAM #3)
Belle is running through forest in the dark of night,
guided by a bright light. The glimmer comes from a
mirror, this time hanging at the edge of a clearing.
EXT. CLEARING – DAY
On the other side of the mirror, it is day. And the
golden hind is standing in the middle of the clearing.
The beautiful animal freezes, on alert. Preceded by a
pack of dogs, the Prince and his friends burst into the
clearing at a gallop. One of them sees the golden hind
and points her out to the Prince, bewitched.
FRIEND #1
Look at her quaking flanks. Her
gleaming coat. I can almost smell
her odor.
THE PRINCE
Her time has comes.
(to his friends)
She is mine, understood?
The doe bolts.
Galvanized by the barking of the dogs, the men gallop
off in pursuit of the animal.
EXT. ESTATE – DAY
They pursue the golden hind onto the grounds of the
castle, where she is surrounded.
The Prince whistles to his dogs, calling them off, then
loads his crossbow with the golden arrow. He aims
carefully and pulls the trigger. The arrow strikes her
and she collapses.
The Prince dismounts, hailed by the cries of his friends
and the barking of the dogs. He approaches his prey and
freezes: the doe gazes at him with her big almond-shaped
eyes, and at the same time as the Prince, we recognize
that gaze!
Slowly, the doe takes on a human form and becomes the
Princess again. The golden arrow is sticking out above
her left breast.
The Prince collapses to his knees and takes his wife in
his arms.
The Prince’s friends, dumbfounded, try to calm their
horses, rearing and whinnying.
THE PRINCE
No! Nooo!
He bends over her, in tears.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

Look at me, speak to me. Tell me
none of this is real.
Very weakly, the Princess strokes her husband’s face.
THE PRINCESS
I am the Forest Nymph, and I was
granted permission to take human
form. I so desperately wanted to
know this thing men call Love.
And I knew you, my Prince.
A shadow falls over them. The Princess looks skyward,
where threatening clouds are gathering.
THE PRINCESS (CONT’D)
Fathers! Gods of the Forest!
Spare my beloved, the man of my
dreams, he who filled your
daughter with eternal love.
Her voice goes silent as she expires in the Prince’s
arms. All around them the wind, the plants, the trees,
and the water of the fountains together begin murmuring
a strange litany: “Animal, vegetable, mineral... Those
who wound the heart of the Forest Nymph shall be
transformed...”
As the Prince looks on, the arrow that pierced the
Princess’s heart turns into a red rose. All around the
nymph’s body, roots spring from the ground. They grow
quickly, lifting the lawn, invading the grounds.
The Prince’s companions try to flee. Caught by the
roots, they are unhorsed and thrown to the ground. One
after another, the roots grab them and hold them to the
ground, where they become the stone giants!
The vengeance of the gods of the forest continues. The
giant rose bush launches its attack on the castle. It
smashes the walls, pushes into every corner. When they
are touched by the rose bush, the guards and servants
who are trying to flee are transformed into statues,
which shatter and collapse on the floor.
As for the Prince, kneeling beside his wife, he begins
his incredible transformation: his skin is covered with
fur, his fingers become claws, his eyes turn yellow. The
Prince becomes the Beast.
INT. COTTAGE/MERCHANT’S ROOM – DAWN
Belle wakes with a start. She struggles to catch her
breath, her hands clutching at her chest.
She feels the pendant the Beast gave her hanging around
her neck. She squeezes it tightly in her hand and leans
toward her father to hear his breathing. After a few
moments of hesitation, she opens the vial and pours a
few drops of the phosphorescent liquid between his lips.
The old man slowly opens his eyes.
THE MERCHANT
My child!
He hugs her with his renewed strength.
THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)
I’ve missed you so!
Belle kisses his wrinkled face, his hands.
BELLE
I’m going to leave again, Father.
I must return there.
He looks at her, full of love.
THE MERCHANT
Something about you has changed.
Tristan opens the door. He is carrying a tray with a
bowl of soup and some bread.
TRISTAN
Belle, I’ve brought you some
food...
Tristan freezes in the doorway.
TRISTAN (CONT’D)
Father? Oh my God!
Dropping the platter, he races back down the stairs.
Belle and her father smile.
BELLE
Do not think that I’m abandoning
you.
THE MERCHANT
I know.
They hear the exclamations of joy coming from the
kitchen.
The merchant takes a handkerchief from his bedside table
and unfolds it delicately.
Inside is the rose stolen from the Beast’s garden. Its
petals are intact, bright red and velvety.

THE MERCHANT (CONT’D)

It’s the rose I promised you and
was never able to give you.
BELLE
Keep it. You’ll think of me when
you look at it.
INT. COTTAGE/BELLE’S ROOM – DAY
Belle is packing a few personal belongings in a bag.
Her brothers and sisters come in without knocking.
ANNE
What are you doing?
BELLE
I’m going back. I’m taking a few
small things. Souvenirs.
Anne approaches Belle and touches the fabric of her
embroidered dress.
ANNE
I get the impression that you
lack for nothing.
Belle is surprised by her sister’s tone.
CLOTILDE
You have no idea what we’ve had
to endure.
 MAXIME
Belle, tell us what it’s like at
the castle. Do you know where the
Beast hides his treasure?
Belle looks at her brothers and sisters, distraught.
BELLE
I just came to tell you not to
worry about me.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Leave her alone. Come let me hold
you in my arms before you go. You
shall be the heroine of my next
novel. It will be magnificent!
Instead of letting Jean-Baptiste hug her, Belle runs
from the room. Her bothers and sisters look at each
other.

ANNE
(to Maxime)
Fool.
MAXIME
Viper.
EXT. COTTAGE/VEGETABLE PLOT – DAY
Belle has fled out back behind the cottage, to her
vegetable plot. Tristan joins her.
BELLE
You’ve looked after it well.
TRISTAN
I come every day. It calms me,
and I feel as if I’m with you
somehow.
BELLE
They hate me. Whether I go or
whether I stay.
TRISTAN
We were so upset with ourselves
that you alone sacrificed
yourself. And now you come back
and you look almost happy.
BELLE
Are you upset with me?
He shakes his head.
 BELLE (CONT’D)
You know, I’m not even certain
what awaits me.
TRISTAN
So what makes you go back to him?
BELLE
I think I’ve penetrated his
mystery. He is a sad, tormented,
and lonely soul.
TRISTAN
You speak of him as if he were a
man.
BELLE
He was a man. A magnificent and
arrogant Prince. But by breaking
his word, he lost his wife and
the child she was carrying.

Belle looks down.

BELLE (CONT’D)
I even think that some day...I
might love him for what he is.
As they are speaking, Belle and Tristan pay no attention
to the whinnying coming from the other side of the
cottage.
EXT. COTTAGE – DAY
Not without difficulty, Maxime mounts Belle’s horse.
Jean-Baptiste tries to hold him back.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Are you sure about what you’re
doing?
MAXIME
I didn’t ask you to come along.
Jean-Baptiste mounts his own horse and races after his
brother.
EXT. FOREST – DAY
Having reached the entrance to the forest, Maxime and
Jean-Baptiste stop.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
You are betraying Belle.
MAXIME
I’m saving us. She’ll understand.
 JEAN-BAPTISTE
Oh, so you’re saving us now, are
you?
MAXIME
Your morals and your virtue—it’s
just a cover for fear! If you
want to be a man, you have to
take risks.
We hear shouting and the whinnying of horses. Perducas,
accompanied by a dozen armed men, arrives at a gallop.
Sticking with his brother, Jean-Baptiste stands by his
side.
MAXIME (CONT’D)
You would have preferred having a
different brother, wouldn’t you?
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Not on your life, blockhead.
Don’t worry, I’ve got our backs.
Maxime smiles at his brother as Perducas’s men surround
them.
PERDUCAS
(to Maxime)
What are you doing here, little
boy? Weren’t we supposed to meet
at your daddy’s house? Look, my
men have gotten themselves all
gussied up to meet your sisters!
MAXIME
I’ve got a deal to offer you.
PERDUCAS
There are no more deals.
Maxime takes the ruby from Belle’s cape out of his
pocket. He throws it at Perducas.
MAXIME
That stone comes from an
abandoned castle. I’ll take you
there. You take the rest of the
treasure, and you wipe my slate
clean.
Perducas examines the gem, his eyes bright with
covetousness.
PERDUCAS
A castle, a treasure... How many
more of these are there?
 MAXIME
Chests full.
Perducas comes over to Maxime. Watchful, Jean-Baptiste
puts his hand on the butt of his revolver.
PERDUCAS
Don’t disappoint, little boy.
This is your last chance, and I
won’t hesitate, as you know.
MAXIME
Tell your men to follow me.
PERDUCAS
(to his men)
Do what he says.
The gangsters line up behind Maxime.
Suspicious, Perducas watches Maxime whisper a few words
in his horse’s ear before the horse suddenly leaps
forward.
The riders throw themselves into a reckless stampede
trying to follow Maxime. And suddenly, the whole forest
opens before them. The trees bend down, the bushes pull
themselves aside, the ravines flatten out.
Jena-Baptiste, bringing up the rear, looks over his
shoulder. Behind them, the forest closes again in a
tumult of branches and leaves.
INT. COTTAGE/MERCHANT’S ROOM – DAY
Belle and her sisters are seated on the edge of the
Merchant’s bed. They are fluffing his pillows and
pulling up his covers.
ANNE
There you go! Living a life of
ease!
THE MERCHANT
Do something that will make me
happy: make peace before Belle
has to go.
Belle and Anne conspicuously avoid looking at each
other. Clotilde shrugs.
CLOTILDE
We’re only upset with her because
she left home before us.
The Merchant raises an authoritarian finger.
 THE MERCHANT
Tsk, tsk! You’re not going to
start being jealous of Belle.
Don’t forget what she’s done for
us.
CLOTILDE
You know, it doesn’t show, but
we’re devastated deep down
inside.
She starts sobbing like a fool.
CLOTILDE (CONT’D)
Belle, if you leave us, I shall
kill myself!
Appalled, Anne looks at Clotilde.
ANNE
It’s amazing how many stupid
things can come out of your
mouth.
Clotilde bursts out laughing, provoking the merchant’s
mirth—and then everyone starts giggling.
The three sisters fall into each other’s arms there on
the bed, almost forgetting their father.
THE MERCHANT
You’re crushing me, you silly
geese!
INT. COTTAGE/ENTRANCE – DAY
We find Belle once again at the bottom of the stairs,
ready to leave. She looks at the clock, which reads six
o’clock. As she takes her cape, she discovers that the
clasp has been torn off. Tristan looks away, ashamed.
TRISTAN
Maxime also took the horse...
EXT. COTTAGE – DAY
Belle races out to the courtyard and realizes that her
horse has disappeared.
TRISTAN
We didn’t tell you, but Maxime
has some problems. Big problems.
BELLE
(panicking)
How will I get back to the
castle?
 TRISTAN
I tried to stop him. So did Jean-
Baptiste. Maxime decided to lead
Perducas to the castle.
Belle stares wide-eyed, terror-stricken.
TRISTAN (CONT’D)
They want to kill the Beast and
steal his treasure. Forgive us.
EXT. FOREST – DAY
Together on the back of the same horse, Belle and
Tristan gallop into the forest. They slow down to follow
the tracks left by their brothers and Perducas’s gang.
Tristan forces his horse to walk through the ever
thicker vegetation. But soon they are completely
blocked, and the tracks disappear into a thicket of
thorny bushes.

TRISTAN
We can’t go any further.
BELLE
But we have to get there! I have
to be back at seven o’clock.
Belle suddenly notices something colorful. She leans
down from the saddle to grab it.
BELLE (CONT’D)
It’s the ribbon I lost as I was
going to the castle. We’re not
very far, I’m sure of it!
The young girl dismounts and tries to make her way
through the brambles. But the thorny canes block her
way, clinging to her hair, her dress. Her eyes fill with
tears, and she groans with rage and pain.
Tristan looks on anxiously as his sister struggles
through the brambles...
TRISTAN
Belle, come back!! You can’t get
through!
Belle persists, though she is cruelly slashed all over
her neck and arms. Finally defeated, she curls up in the
middle of the thorny thicket. And then her eyes fall
upon the vial hanging around her neck...
Grasping it, she holds it tightly to her heart and
closes her eyes.
Inside the vial, tiny lights begin to whirl around,
lighting Belle’s face. She starts to whisper.
BELLE
Gods of the Forest, hear me. Let
me return to him. It is what I
wish, what I desire...
The trees above her begin to sway, as if a mysterious
wind were shaking them.
BELLE (CONT’D)
...more than anything in the
world.
Answering her prayer, the brambles part, and then the
whole forest opens before her. At the other end of a
long, magical path, we can see the Beast’s castle,
standing on its rocky outcropping, emerging from the
fog.

Belle climbs on behind Tristan.

BELLE (CONT’D)
At a gallop!
Tristan launches them into the passage.
EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE – DAY/FOG
Maxime and Jean-Baptiste, followed by Perducas and his
gang, arrive at the Beast’s estate.
The grounds are plunged in think fog. The men dismount.
PERDUCAS
You there, and you three—deploy
to the west. The rest of you, the
eastern flank.
(to the two brothers)
And you, little boys, you stay
right in front of me.
He draws his pistol.
PERDUCAS (CONT’D)
And don’t you even think about
giving me the slip.
The men deploy around the grounds...
FURTHER AWAY
One of Perducas’s bandits suddenly sees some movement in
the mist. He takes a few cautious steps and discovers a
giant hand slowly spreading its granite fingers.
Terrified, he sees the hand lay itself out flat on the
grass to get leverage. The earth rises and lets an arm
through, then an enormous shoulder.
The gangster’s screaming resonates in the fog.
Perducas and Belle’s brothers see the bandit come
running through the fog. Suddenly, a giant hand closes
around the runaway and picks him up. He continues to
flail and scream with terror.
Perducas looks up and sees an enormous stone face
watching him with curiosity.
The leader of the gangsters opens fire. The bullet
explodes the giant’s nose, and it disappears in the fog
with a long guttural wailing.
The earth starts to tremble under the feet of the
intruders: around the grounds, three more stone giants
are pushing up from the earth!

They stand up, covered with soil and roots, their

shoulders and heads carrying the beds of flowers under
which they were buried. Flower petals rain down along
their immense bodies.
The gangsters beat a retreat. One of them is almost
trampled by a giant. The shock of the enormous foot on
the ground is accompanied by a shower of petals.
ENTRANCE TO THE GROUNDS
Belle and Tristan finally reach the castle. From a
distance, they see the bandits trying to escape from the
giants, who are moving slowly through the fog.
BELLE
Where are our brothers?
TRISTAN
Over there, with Perducas.
Belle sees the three men. A giant is on their heels.
Magnificent and haughty, the Beast is astride the giant,
leading it toward his enemies.
BELLE
He’s going to kill them!
As Belle and Tristan gallop toward them, the giant is
swinging his fists. He strikes Maxime, whose body goes
flying and lands in the grass.
His leg injured, Maxime drags himself along the ground.
Jean-Baptiste comes to him.
 MAXIME
Run! Save yourself! Ask Belle to
forgive me.
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Tell her yourself!
Jean-Baptiste picks up his brother and puts him in a
sheltered place under a half-destroyed fountain. They
look up when they hear howling. The giant, mounted by
the Beast, is standing above them, fist prepared to
crash down on them...when Belle intervenes, arms spread.
BELLE
Stop!
The Beast roars and the colossus freezes, his fist
stopping only a few feet from Belle.
Seizing his opportunity, Perducas jumps Belle and puts
his knife to her throat.

PERDUCAS
You, my little pretty, are going
to help me.
The Beast takes a few long strides down the giant’s arm
and lands in front of Perducas, baring his fangs.
THE BEAST
Let her go.
But Perducas uses Belle as a shield.
PERDUCAS
First, you lead me to your
treasure.
Belle struggles. Perducas tries to keep her still, and
his blade grazes Belle’s skin. A few drops of blood bead
and fall to the ground at the feet of Perducas and his
hostage...
The earth rises up, and rose bushes begin to grow,
twisting themselves around Perducas’s thighs. In shock,
the gangster loses his grip on Belle.
Immense and terrifying, the Beast steps toward Perducas,
who is brandishing his weapon.
PERDUCAS (CONT’D)
Come taste my blade.
The Beast has a nasty smile and his sharp claws spring
out like so many knife blades.
BELLE
Don’t do it.
The Beast turns toward Belle.
BELLE (CONT’D)
Remember that you were once a
man! Spare this vermin and let
him go with my brothers. What
matters is that I am here...and
that I shall stay with you.
The Beast hesitates, unsettled. And then Perducas throws
himself forward and stabs his knife deep into the
Beast’s heart.
Belle screams as the Beast collapses in slow motion.
Darkness suddenly falls upon them as a violent storm
breaks, scattering the fog in waves of gray.
Perducas runs away, whipped by the gusts of wind.
Across the grounds, under the beating rain, the giants
sway and collapse. Perducas just misses being crushed by
one of them.
On her knees beside the Beast, Belle pleads with her
brothers.
BELLE (CONT’D)
Help me! We have to carry him to
the castle to...
She cuts herself short. In the middle of the grounds,
the thicket of roses is standing up on its enormous
roots, like a plant-octopus!
EXT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BRIDGE – DUSK
Belle and her brothers are carrying the Beast’s body
over the bridge that leads to the main door. Maxime
limps after them: wild-eyed, he stares at the castle
slowly falling to pieces on its outcropping.
Black smoke and a deafening moan rise from the depths
below the castle. Enormous creepers spring up to block
their way. But they manage to slip under the destructive
vines.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/ENTRANCE HALL – DUSK
Belle and her brothers are carrying the Beast’s body up
the stairs. All around them, brambles are writhing like
serpents.
Blocks of stone from the ceiling crash to the floor.
Belle watches the huge wall hangings being reduced to
shreds by the anger of the plants.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – DUSK
The small group finally reaches Belle’s room. They close
the door before the brambles are able to follow them.
BELLE
In the basin, fast!
Her brothers help her plunge the Beast into the amethyst
basin.
BELLE (CONT’D)
I can’t hear his breathing
anymore.
Under the pressure of the brambles, the solid wood door
is starting to moan on its hinges. Maxime draws his
sword.
MAXIME
(to Belle)
You take care of him. We’ll
protect you.
The three brothers leave Belle with the Beast and hurry
to the door just as it gives way, letting the brambles
pour into the room.
While the brothers fight the brambles, slicing and
slashing in every direction, Belle bends over the Beast.
She pulls his shirt open, revealing the injury on his
chest.
The tiny lights in the basin come to swirl around the
Beast’s body.
Under the pressure of the brambles, the windows in the
room shatter. Belle’s brothers are overwhelmed by the
assault of the plants. They manage to slice a few
creepers, but they are quickly seized around their
waists.
Having taken refuge under the bed, the Tadums are
clinging to each other, whimpering in terror.
Then it is Belle who is circled by the brambles, though
she pays no attention, busy as she is gently sprinkling
the Beast’s body with the magic water.
The Beast comes back to life in a powerful spasm. He
opens his eyes and discovers Belle stroking his head.
BELLE
We’ve missed our dinner...
THE BEAST
You say that as if you regretted
it.
 BELLE
There will be more.
The wound on the Beast’s chest slowly closes. He plunges
his feline eyes into Belle’s.
THE BEAST
Do you think you could—by dint of
patience, or perhaps habit—
finally come to love me?
Belle leans close to him and whispers in his ear.
BELLE
I think I love you already.
All of the clocks in the castle then begin chiming seven
o’clock in unison.
Filled with wonder, Belle watches as the Beast turns
back into the Prince.

EXT. BEAST’S ESTATE – DUSK

Outside, Perducas has reached the forest. He turns back
one last time toward the castle.
PERDUCAS
We’ll meet again in hell, my
friends!
But when he goes to leave via the magic path, he cannot
continue. He looks down, incredulous: his boots are
shredding, revealing not feet but a mass of roots
pushing deeply into the ground.
Perducas looks with horror at his hands: his entire body
is growing thorns. Overcome with convulsions, the
gangster is being transformed into a human bramble bush
before our eyes!
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE – DUSK
Throughout the castle, the brambles are ebbing.
They first leave Belle’s room, freeing Belle’s three
brothers, who are lacerated but relieved. They smile at
each other, happy to have done battle together.
Then it is the walls and staircases that are free from
the thorny swarming.
In the faint glow of dusk, the statues turn into guards
again, the valets and maids rise once more, dazed after
their long slumber.
On the grounds, the roots pull back to the rose hedge,
closing off the plant vortex.
At the heart of the rose bush, the statue of the
Princess displays a slight smile.
INT. BEAST’S CASTLE/BELLE’S ROOM – DUSK
There is joyful barking in Belle’s room. In place of the
Tadums, a pack of hunting dogs springs out from under
her bed.
They tumble all over each other, yapping and yelping,
then come to lie down below the basin, all around their
master.
Belle can not take her eyes off the Beast, now
transformed into the Prince. She advances her face
toward his and places a kiss on his lips.
INT. SHIP/ELEANOR’S CABIN – NIGHT
We find Eleanor again, snuggled under her covers, eyes
wide. Her monkey, a cut orange half-nibbled between his
paws, seems as captivated as his mistress.
Isabelle smiles at her astounded audience.
ISABELLE
The two of you are so sweet! So,
the story of over, and it’s time
to go to sleep.
She gets up and starts putting out the candles.
ELEANOR
And the brothers and sisters?
What happened to them?
ISABELLE
Maxime started a printing house
to print Jean-Baptiste’s books.
And Tristan illustrates them! As
for Anna and Clotilde, they set
their hearts on two handsome
twins from a good family!
ELEANOR
Oh, how lucky, that way they’ll
always be together! And the
merchant?
ISABELLE
He went far away to start a trade
in flowers. His roses, in
particular, made him famous all
across Europe.
ELEANOR
His roses? What roses?
 ISABELLE
A variety unknown until his time!
The pistil of the rose he stole
may have helped him a bit...
Eleanor is pensive. Isabelle kisses her forehead.
ISABELLE (CONT’D)
Sweet dreams, pretty young girl.
Eleanor’s eyes fix Isabelle’s pendant. Inside, tiny
points of light come and go.
ELEONORE
Madam?
Isabelle puts a finger to her lips.
ISABELLE
Shhhh....

Then she blows out the last candle. Her bewitching

silhouette disappears into the night.
EXT. SHIP – DAY
The ship has arrived safe and sound. The sky is a pure
and intense blue.
On the upper deck, the passengers are preparing to
disembark. They wave their hands and handkerchiefs,
attracting the attention of family and friends come to
greet them on the quay.
Eleonore, lost among the passengers, is holding her
monkey in its wicker cage.
She sees the officers from the day before coming toward
her. She takes a deep breath.
The officers bow to her.
OFFICER #1
We would like to apologize for
last night.
OFFICER #2
We’re a bit foolish, but we’re
harmless.
The youngest of the officers steps forward timidly.
YOUNG OFFICER
I would be honored to escort you
ashore.
Eleanor smiles at him.
EXT. QUAY – DUSK
Eleonore walks down the gangway on the arm of the
officer. The bells of the church near the port start
ringing seven o’clock.
And then Eleonore sees Isabelle. She is walking slowly
along the quay, people stepping aside respectfully as
she passes. She is heading toward a magnificent carriage
drawn by four black horses.
Standing in front of the carriage is a man with a noble
appearance and deep-set eyes. Years have gone by, his
hair has turned white, but we recognize the Prince. As
the bells sound the seventh stroke, he smiles lovingly
at Isabelle.
In his black-gloved hand, he holds a red rose.
END