La bella e la bestia

Corporate lawyer Catherine Chandler (Linda Hamilton) works for her father's big law firm. She's mistakenly kidnapped and brutally slashed in the face. She's dumped in the park left for dead. Vincent (Ron Perlman) rescues her and treats her in the underground world. His 'father' Jacob Wells (Roy Dotrice) objects. She returns to the above world and joins the NYDA office. She becomes a trusted helper to the residents of the underground world and feels connected to Vincent. Joe Maxwell (Jay Acovone) is a deputy D.A.

It's a new take on the old classic. Hamilton is a compelling heroine. She has enough femininity to be romantic but also enough power to fight. The show is a bit restricted in its structure. The central relationship has one mode and cannot be changed easily. I like in particular the Gothic nature of the show. It is melodramatic at times and the romanticism gets heavy. The balance between romanticism and action is not always easy. By the second season, the balance is off. Hamilton leaves after two seasons and the show loses its raison d'être.

Can't tell you exactly why this series caught the imaginations of so many; it probably differs for each person. But this was a winner of a show in a style I've not seen since. It was fantasy, true enough, but it addressed many contemporary issues with a skill seldom seen in TV. The love story was believable, the acting was outstanding, and the minor characters were generally engaging. This was a show for romantics, and for those who believe in the power of love--not just between lovers, but between family and friends, and those whose love spills over into actions. Good fought evil in the grimy real world as well as in fantastic battles against shadowy adversaries. And for those of us who like to pretend that the unknown really is just around the corner--this was our show. Requiescat in pace.

I thought this television series was well done and family oriented. Yes, it was overly romantic and may have been "sappy" to some viewers; but that was a large part of its appeal then and still is today. I was very surprised that this series was not on DVD.

It is probably better for family viewing than half the material that is out on DVD from a television series. If there are plans to release "Beauty and The Beast" on DVD, it should be released immediately and is long over due. I'm sure that there are many people out there who have forgotten about this series like myself, due to it not being shown on cable or satellite television in many viewing areas. Yet, we have not forgotten the wonderful exchanges between two (2) character's who had a romantic chemistry and truly grew to love each other; a love that our current society needs to find a lot more of.

If you here anything regarding the DVD collection please post info or drop me a line. Thank you.

I remember watching this show when I was 13 with my mother. This show was a great display that two people who love each other can be together no matter what their circumstances are or what there backgrounds are. Further, although Vincent was did not look like the average man, but he was smart, strong, loving and had a wonderful spirit. Most women are looking for a man like him. What he looked like did not bother me at all. Vincent was always their to protect and defend Catherine in any way he could. Their bond was so strong that they knew when each other was in distress. This show was realistic and did focus on many issues that exist today. For example, both Vincent and Catherine had past relationships, but they unlike many people in the real world were honest with each other even if what they said may have hurt them. I watched every episode that was on Netflix, and I was hooked. I only wish they could have ended the show in a better way then they did. The acting was excellent and I wish their were more shows like this. This show was a great adventure.

There's a reason why "Beauty and the Beast" still holds a place in its legions of fans' hearts after all these years: it's a tender, earnest, lovely little series that celebrates a love that goes beyond shallow expectations. This isn't "The O.C.", where it's only a matter of time before the bland, attractive leads jump in the sack. "Beauty and the Beast" chronicles the unique, powerful love between plucky assistant attorney Catherine (Linda Hamilton) and Vincent (spellbinding Ron Perlman), a courageous, compassionate man-beast. Because they live in two different worlds (she in the bustling world "Above", he in the secret utopia of "Below"), they cannot have a real life together, but, as Catherine assures us in the opening credits, they "will never, ever be apart". Today's jaded viewers might scoff at the fact that Catherine and Vincent never go further than hugs and hand-holding in their relationship, but you know what? Catherine and Vincent express more joy, passion, respect and love in their very first embrace in the pilot episode than all the bed-hopping in the six seasons of "Dawson's Creek". Hamilton is appealing as Catherine, making her strong and vulnerable at the same time. Perlman is unforgettable as Vincent. Unhindered by the prosthetic make-up on his face, he expresses layers of complex emotions with just his eyes. He brings warmth, integrity, and, yes, beauty to a role that even Perlman himself has said is "too good to be real". He deservedly won and Emmy and a Golden Globe. "Beauty and the Beast" is now on DVD for all to discover or re-discover the most innocent, sincere love story ever on TV.