User Reviews

I've watched both language versions of Bella e la Bestia (tv miniseries); the Italian dubbed version and the English dubbed version. The drama was filmed in English but had the main release version dubbed into Italian by the Italian cast and Alessandro Proziosi (Prince Leon) and Blanca Suarez (Bella Dubois); the actors who were also portraying the main characters. Understandable, as it was a mainly Italian project. However, Preziosi speaks excellent English, yet he's been dubbed by a VERY bad English voice actor (Dermot Magennis) who reads the lines like a robot reading a laundry list. Trust me when I say he's more wooden than a complete Ikea warehouse.

I've also seen the Italian dubbed version with Preziosi voicing himself and he's BRILLIANT. Magennis is the one they used to dub Preziosi into English on another project and he was just as terrible - 'ear bleedingly bad' as one person put it and to the point they 'wanted to weep'. He truly is AWFUL; mind you Aisling Franciosi, the actress they got to dub Bella Dubois into English, was almost as bad. But at least she's not as bad as Magennis who makes Siri sound like she's worthy of an Oscar.

I've seen a few of Preziosi's other roles, including 'Medici: Masters of Florence', Lost in Florence', Tango per la Liberta' and 'I vicerè'. The same goes for Blanca Suarez; she was brilliant in 'Cable Girls' (currently available on Netflix UK), 'The Skin I Live In' and 'Bakery in Brooklyn'. In all she was exceptionally good and her English is flawless. So for both Suarez and Preziosi it boggles the brain as to why they were dubbed into English at all.

For the Italian voice track version, by Suarez and Preziosi in the roles, I would give this 9.5 out of ten. It loses the half mark only because Prince Leon's scar is not that bad and, although it can be said that a person's heart is what makes them a 'beast' or a 'beauty', to have it as one of the reasons he is so dark means it should've been better presented.

For the Magennis and Franciosi English dubbed version I give it a 7.5 because the terrible wooden delivery of the lines by Magennis sucks the passion out of the scenes faster than a hoover on a spider. Franciosi at least tries to infuse her words with some feeling; sadly it's just a bit lacklustre. Of course it could be because of Magennis' flat delivery, reminding me of those annoying automated telephone service machines, blanketing the entire endeavour in a flatness the Grim Reaper would love. Either way, my advice is see the Italian version with English subtitles.

Comparing to all other versions of this story, this is definitely the best: it's not solely fantastic costumes with beautiful casts but a deeper and more humane story. I'm honestly surprised by those who found Leon's behaviour offensive!; it is actually PLANNED to be offensive, his beastliness is more moral and not simply in his appearance. Alessandro Preziso (as Leon) acts wonderfully which made his character believable, the others are just acceptable. I agree that the character of the cousin is totally unnecessary plus the bad acting of that little girl, particularly when it is dubbed with really bad voices, not only for her, but for all the others; Alessandro has a wonderful voice and Bianca Suarez, too, however, the dubbed voices have damaged the English version noticeably. If you can see the Italian version with English subtitles, go for that.

I didn't have high expectations for this but it was overall pretty good. It is NOT a Disney version. The beast here does things like insist knife throwers throw at their subjects blindfolded and wants to whip children. He is a jerk. I would actually say that he is a mix between beast and Mr. Rochester. As Bella goes to work for him as a servant to pay off his father's debt Beast is basically a Rochester like playboy. Bored and scheming. Eventually, however, Bella wins him over with a mix of courage and kindness and he finds himself really having feelings for her... in the midst of his bluster about getting sex out of her. The good news.. both main characters are good looking and the "beast" really isn't that beastly on the outside. The reasons for Bella working for him seem to make more sense than in the Disney movie and dad and family provide much better secondary characters. The Beast's cousin here sort of fills the blanche role form Jane Eyre but over all she wasn't necessary.

A wonderful movie. Master acting. A stunning storyline. Wonderful finale! An excellent version of the well-known classic for Beauty and the Beast.

First I want to say I loved this beautifully retold classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.I have probably watched all versions of this movie because it is by far one of my favorite stories ever! This movie blew me away! I wasn't expecting that. The beast was a normal man who had scars on his face. It wasn't made like a fantasy movie where a spell is cast on him. The beast bore real physical and emotional scars. And Bella the beauty is a very brave young woman, who despite the beast's cruelty falls in love. In this version the beast finds hope again. If you love Beauty and the Beast, please don't pass this one up. I actually liked it better than the newest Disney version. This film was actually made into a two part series.I agree with some other reviewers here the acting is fantastic. It brought tears to my eyes in a few scenes. I won't say when or where in the movie but it had it's tear jerking moments. Now this film is one of my favorites.

I stumbled upon this program while browsing random channels while feeling ill. Always a fan of the story I started to watch. Finding myself soon mesmerised by the leading actor. The slight twist to the story was interesting, and initially I was a little disappointed by what disfigurement was hiding behind the mask,but then I understood the meaning behind the 'beast' was more to do with behaviour. I was interested to read the previous review about the voice actors. I could obviously see they were speaking English, but the voices didn't seem to match. Having seen the dubbed version I'd love to see the original to hear the actors true voices as I'm sure it would be a much better watch and listen. I really enjoyed it and confess to falling a bit in love with prince Leon.

I have seen many version of this movie but non came even close to this...i watched it 3 times in 2 days...very well done im 100% recommending people to see it. ❤❤

A tale as out as time, but clearly rewritten with a depth of feeling and passion! I loved Belle and Price Leon as the principles and their voice actors were excellent. I read the previous reviewers words about these actors speak excellent English but they chose to use voice actors and they slammed that. I don't know these actors real voice but I can say there is nothing wooden about them and their acting and their voices. SEE IT parts 1 and part 2 and by all means you will love the beauty and the beast of it all!! I fell in love with the bello Italiano Alessandro Prezsio and would love to see him in more films and the gorgeous Spanish actress Blanca Suarez, the same...more of both please!! Better then any Belle and the Beast I have ever seen. If you get the change, bravo to all the cast and crew, see it! Tissues at the ready too.

This was the most absolutely manic version of Beauty and the Beast I have ever seen. It's like six different people wrote storylines and then they just pieced them all together so that none of the actual story lines made any sense whatsoever. The prince didn't even seem to like Bella until the very end when he was head over heels for some unknown reason. Bella ran away like four or five different times. And the wicked witch cousin of the prince was so ridiculous and unnecessary to the storyline. The romance between Bella and the prince just seemed to be abusive and not very romantic at all. Not a complete waste of time but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't a die-hard fan of Beauty and the Beast stories.

This serie is so beautiful, I think that is so better than the disney live action. The cast is perfect, I love so much Alessandro, and Blanca it's the perfect Belle

I absolutely loved Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This version is just as good with a little Phantom of the Opera and Jane Eyre thrown into the mix. The acting was amazing and the backdrop was breathtaking. I only wished I can find the version where Alessandro Preziosi is NOT dubbed over. Highly recommend if you like Jane Eyre or darker romances.

Hollywood needs to leave the romantic movies to Italians. Beauty & The Beast is the modern approach to classic tale. In the modern approach Beast is a normal man, death of his wife, infidelity turned him into a beast. He has scars both physical and emotional scars. There's only one person who can turn beast into a normal man again and that's Bella. Bella's good heart & not only her physical beauty turned the beast into the happy man he was before. But Bella didn't only win the heart of the beast, she won the heart of a little girl Zazi, her father and the other villagers. As in every fairy tale, We have a lesson to learn from Beauty and the Beast, that's There's no Rose without Thorns. Love can conquer everything.

Alessandro Preziosi is brilliant actor, I loved him as a beast. Bella. The chemistry between Blanca Suarez & Alessandro Preziosi was steaming and realistic.

However I didn't like the voice actor the actor who voiced Prince Leon (Alessandro Preziosi) was Dermot Magennis, Alessandro Preziosi can speak English well. In Italian Version he dubbed himself, I've seen the trailers in Italian. Alessandro Preziosi is also a great singer. Some of Alessandro Preziosi's movies / dramas can be found on Youtube & Netflix.

I am giving 9 because of the dubbing voice over.

It's not for kids and it is different from Disney versions.

Like why Bella, how can you continue to listen to the very person that wants your man???!!! There could have been more along the lines of building the relationship, memories etc. Built between the two (Leon and Bella) Even some angelic involvement. Bella was painted to be soft and captured the essence of people around her yet she should be strong enough to know right from wrong. It became quite annoying the second episode. Development needed for sure. If you want stress and frustration surely watch on. The first episode was a great introduction which hooked me enough to follow through to the second one.

This is the best live adaption of The Beauty and the Beast movies. It's not for the kiddies and definitely more adult-oriented and realistic. Beauty is a middle class girl named Belle Dubois and the youngest daughter of sea captain named Maurice Dubois. She's naïve, kind-heartened, very nifty, and her greatest dream is going sailing around the world with her father. Yet, misfortune hits her family when her father returns home disheartened. A terrible storm hit his ship and he had to choose between the cargo and saving his men. He chose to save his men and had them throw the cargo overboard. When he returns home, this leaves him indebted to the cruel Prince Leon who was once a kind man until his wife was killed in a fire which left him disfigured years ago. Now, he spends his time bedding the wives of his subject and get amusement watching his subjects fear him and playing dangerous games with them. He sends word to Maurice that either he sells himself into indentured servitude to him until his debt has been repaid or he gives him one of his daughters as an indentured servant until he repays him back. Maurice refuses and rather sell him the deed to his ship to give his daughters to a vicious man. Belle's older sister who raised and took care of Belle as if she was their mother desperately wants to marry her fiancé, but she cannot without a dowry. She admires Belle's optimism about their family being able to leave and pick up once again somewhere else. But she reminds her little sister she spent her youth raising her and all she desires now as to get married and have a family of her own. So Belle being sheltered all her life, sneaks off and goes to Prince Leon's castle and offers herself to him as a servant until her father pays off his debt. Prince Leon's tells her no saying she's only a child and could take she never done a day of hard labor. She convinces him to keep her. When her father comes ready to give himself and give his deed to his ship to the Prince as a servant until he repays the prince in exchange for his daughter's freedom. Belle stops him and tells her father she could handle the prince's cruelty, his ship is his dream, and it gave her hope to being free knowing her father will one day repay the prince back. When Prince Leon tells her she will regret it, she bites back she know she will sparking the prince's interest in her. When his distant cousin sees his interest, she challenges him to a bet. If he beds Belle within three weeks, his cousin will marry anyone he picks for her. If he loses, then Prince Leon will marry her, his cousin. He takes the bet thinking it will be easy, but he's in for a surprise with Belle.

Alessandro Preziosi does an excellent job playing the Beast. A man with external damages from the fire and internal damages from the aftermath of losing his beloved wife. He's a human man and is unconventional handsome. One minute, he's charming. The other minute, he's scary when his short tempered is release. The cousin is not exactly necessary, but she brings some drama to a story already dramatic enough. Blanca Suarez does an excellent job as the strong-willed, yet gentle soul Belle who stands up for her convictions and never let her circumstances get her down. It's a powerful story of how love truly conquers all, even those the world fear cannot be saved. I really enjoyed this movie. It could have been bad, but the acting is amazing from all the actors. One of the strongest example of Belle's character is her reaction to the disappearance of a ring. A great movie. I definitely recommended and the score for this movie is beautiful.

I randomly stumbled upon 1st epizode on tv and did not have high expectations, was surprised to see one of my favorite SPANISH actresses in a series that was in Italian so that catched my attention further. It was a pleasent surprise to find out that beast was human cruelty and deformity and not a creature from a fantasy world which i loved, absolutly loved.

I stumbled upon this movie recently and fell in love with it. Great acting all around only wished they used the actors actual voices. I would love to see what happens next.....not just "and they lived happily ever after" Sometimes it just takes that one person who sees what we really are from the inside out....that is what this movie is about. Beautifully done. Favorite character Count Dalville :)

This is the most ridiculous and senseless film I have ever watched. From its poor acting to it's disgusting glorification of a use towards women. I'd be both embarrassed and appalled to have been part of the this feature and all that it stands for. Nothing g like a beauty and the beast portrayal. Simply and excuse to film a man both sexually harass and abuse a poor female lead and justify it as and artistic portrayal of a well known classic. Total waste of time...I intermittently became o overwhelmed with a deep desire to gouge out my own eyes! I'd not recommend this film to anyone with a decent IQ or appreciation of REAL art. Rubbish..ridiculous..offensive..poor acting...totally unbelievable.. refund the financial backer..film is a bust!

Out of all the Beauty and Beast movies/shows, this is my favorite. I watched this in late 2018 and Loved it! It's beauty and the beast, phantom of the opera, and pride and prejudice all in one. I made my husband watch it, and told my sister, so she watched it with her husband. They all thought it was so good and well done! This was filmed in Italian and then filmed again in English. The acting was awesome and so believable. The music score just makes the mini series come to life. You will love this movie, but be prepared it's over 4 hrs. Long to watch both episodes.

I tried really really hard to like it but I just couldn't. We get it this is not typical Disney version but it's nothing original either. Phantom of opera meets Jane Eyre plus other Disney folklore. The actress that played Bella is gorgeous no doubt but that's about it. Such monotone acting. No character was worth admiring. Much like other critics mentioned, beasts abusive behavior is easily quoted "misunderstood". Yes right! If he was under a spell that behavior would have been acceptable but nope. It was dreadful sitting through it all but I finished it. Regretting it why.

I just found and watched this for the first time 2022.

One of the best films I've seen in a very long time. The acting IMO was perfect for the storyline. Loved the characters, the setting, the different twists, the wardrobe, and the ending. I have since watched several times. This has become one of my favorite favorite films.