"Director: Bob Kline"

• Beauty And The Beast: Belle's Magical World | DVD | (10/11/2014) from £4.49   |  Saving you £3.50 (77.95%)   |  RRP £7.99

  Belle the Beast Lumiere Cogsworth and the rest of those zany castle residents use their imaginations to embark on three magical storybook adventures. This direct-to-video anthology serves as a sequel to Disney's animated hit film. In The Perfect World Belle and the Beast learn about forgiveness. In Fifi's Folly Lumiere's girlfriend is jealous of his bond with Belle. And in Broken Wing the Beast learns to be kind to an injured bird.

• Belle's Magical World / Beauty And The Beast | DVD | (02/06/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Belle's Magical World is a straight-to-video animated story set in the Beast's castle, which, as viewers know from the original Beauty and the Beast film, is under a spell until the Beast can learn to love. Starting with this familiar premise, it plummets into three disjointed episodes surrounding Belle's life as a captive in the castle. In "The Perfect World" a misunderstanding of words erupts between Belle and the Beast, made worse by a feigned apology. Fifi and Lumiere take the spotlight in "Fifi's Folly" when a romantic evening together becomes a chilling adventure inside a runaway sleigh. In "The Broken Wing" Belle entreats the Beast to act kindly toward a tiny songbird. Each tale offers a diluted moral message, yet the entire effort feels contrived and confusing. --Lynn Gibson The film that officially signalled Disney's animation renaissance and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself) Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman, (winning the 1991 Oscar for Best Song and Menken's score won a trophy as well). The downright funniest song is "Gaston" a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line: "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication and pure joy. --David Kronke

• Beauty and The Beast: Belle's Magical World | DVD | (27/06/2011) from £9.22   |  Saving you £2.77 (30.04%)   |  RRP £11.99

  A lot happened before Belle and Beast lived happily ever after! Share the fun with one of Disney’s most spirited Princesses and all her enchanted friends as their exciting adventures continue in this sparkling Special Edition of Belle’s Magical World – inspired by Disney’s beloved Academy Award-winning masterpiece, Beauty And The Beast (1991: Winner – Best Song, Best Original Score; nominated for Best Picture).Join Belle, Beast, Cogsworth, Lumiere, plus some charming new friends as they discover how love, teamwork, forgiveness and friendship can turn a once-gloomy castle into a dazzling palace fit for a princess! Adorned with delightful bonus features, your favourite characters and great songs, this fun-filled,modern-day classic proves that true beauty shines from within! Bonus Features NEW! Disney’s Sing Me A Story With Belle: “What’s Inside Counts” — Belle encourages children to look inside each other, beyond outer appearances, to discover what is truly important. Belle’s Delightful Dinner Game — Help Belle plan a special dinner for Beast. Enchanted Environment — Enjoy the sights and sounds of Belle’s enchanted forest. Disney’s Song Selection — Select your favourite songs and sing along.