Beauty and the Beast (re-release) 2002

In a grand castle, a prince notorious for his callous nature is visited by an enigmatic sorceress masquerading as a humble beggar woman. She offers him a mystical rose in exchange for temporary shelter from the torrential storm raging outside. The prince’s initial disdain prompts her to reveal her true form, unleashing a curse that transforms him into a monstrous creature and his loyal servants into inanimate objects. The enchantress then erases their memories from the minds of those who loved them, rendering them mere specters of their former selves. To break this woeful curse, the prince must learn to cultivate genuine affection for another being, with that person reciprocating his love before the last petal of the enchanted rose succumbs to the passage of time; otherwise, he will forever remain trapped in his beastly form.

Years pass, and a nearby village becomes home to Belle, the introverted daughter of Maurice, a widowed artist. She yearns for adventure while dismissing the advances of Gaston, an egotistical hunter. One fateful day, Maurice finds himself lost in the forest, seeking refuge within the castle walls of the beast. However, his attempt to pilfer a rose from the garden is detected by the beast, who promptly imprisons him. Belle, determined to spare her father’s life, offers herself as a substitute prisoner; the beast reluctantly agrees.

Upon entering the castle, Belle encounters its peculiar inhabitants, including Lumière, a candelabra with a charming disposition, Cogsworth, a fastidious mantel clock, Plumette, a gentle feather-duster, Mrs. Potts, a warm-hearted teapot, and Chip, her son – a diminutive teacup. As she explores the castle, Belle stumbles upon the enchanted rose, prompting the beast to force her outside. Unbeknownst to her, wolves lie in wait, and it is only the beast’s timely intervention that saves her from their clutches. Injured during the rescue, the beast is nursed back to health by Belle, fostering a bond between them.

As she tends to his wounds, the beast reveals a mysterious book that transports its readers to their most cherished destination. Fascinated, Belle uses this gift to revisit her childhood home in Paris, where she uncovers a plague doctor’s mask and pieces together a long-forgotten truth: as an infant, she fled with her father from the city after her mother’s untimely passing due to the bubonic plague – an event that Maurice had been hesitant to discuss.

As Maurice’s desperation grows in the face of the village’s skepticism, he finds himself at odds with Gaston (actor name), who sees rescuing Belle as a means to secure her hand in marriage. When Maurice finally grasps Gaston’s true intentions, the self-absorbed suitor abandons him to the mercy of the wolves, leaving him for dead. Fortunately, Agathe, the town’s enigmatic hermit, intervenes and saves Maurice from his gruesome fate. However, Gaston’s deceit doesn’t go unnoticed, and soon the villagers are convinced that Maurice has lost his grip on reality, convincing them to lock him away in an asylum.

Meanwhile, Belle discovers her father’s predicament via a mystical mirror, which serves as a window into his troubled world. Moved by compassion and determination, she sets out to rescue Maurice from the clutches of Gaston, who has grown increasingly consumed by jealousy. As she arrives back in town, she reveals the Beast’s existence through the same enchanted glass, leaving the villagers stunned and Maurice vindicated.

With Belle’s words of comfort and understanding, Maurice begins to open up about his mother’s passing, forging a deeper bond between them as they concoct an escape plan. Their daring bid for freedom ultimately leads to Gaston’s downfall, who attacks the Beast in a fit of rage, only to meet his own demise when the bridge gives way beneath him.

As the last petal falls from the enchanted rose, the Beast succumbs to his wounds, and the enchanted servants freeze into stone-like statues. With tears streaming down her face, Belle confesses her love for the dying Beast, prompting Agathe to reveal herself as the enchantress who had cast the curse all those years ago.

With a flick of her wand, she undoes the spell, restoring the Beast, his loyal companions, and the villagers’ memories. As the kingdom comes alive once more, Belle finds herself in the arms of the prince, now returned to his human form, as they host a grand ball to celebrate their love and the magic that has brought them together.