EXT.

CASTLE GROUNDS - NIGHT

A MAGNIFICENT CASTLE. Resplendent, bespeaking great wealth and

power. The grounds and stonework immaculate.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Once upon a time in the hidden heart of France, a
handsome young Prince lived in a beautiful castle...

RACK FOCUS to a single RED ROSE clinging to a rose bush on a

stormy spring night. A WEATHERED HAND plucks the rose.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Although he had everything his heart desired, the
Prince was selfish and unkind.

INT. BALLROOM ENTRANCE - CASTLE - NIGHT

TIGHT ON THE PRINCE being groomed by his servants. (We do not

see their faces.) A FRENCH MAID paints an exotic animal mask on
the Prince’s face with a feather brush. A TALL VALET drapes the
Prince with an elaborately bejeweled coat.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
He taxed the village to fill his castle with the most
beautiful objects...

The MAID dusts his wig with powder -

MAID
Poof poof...

- while a MAJORDOMO holds a POCKET WATCH, indicating that they

are running late.

MAJORDOMO
Master, it’s time.

With a haughty wave, the Prince instructs his FOOTMAN to bring

more light.

FOOTMAN
Oui, maître.
A CANDELABRA is lifted to the preening Prince as he looks at
himself in an ornate HAND MIRROR.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
... and his parties with the most beautiful people.

INT. BALLROOM - CASTLE - NIGHT

The ornate room is filled with BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE from all corners
of the world, each on display for the Prince’s pleasure. A
circle of eligible maidens bow their heads.

Seated in a throne chair dominated by a majestic COAT OF ARMS,

the Prince snaps his fingers impatiently at an ITALIAN MAESTRO,
who smiles, revealing comically rotten teeth.

The maestro sits at a harpsichord and motions to his wife, a

LARGE DIVA holding a TINY BICHON FRISÉ. As the music begins, the
Prince steps forward.

The diva fills the room with a voice as big as her frame.

The Prince performs a ROUNDELAY with several debutantes:

DIVA
Oh how divine Glamour, music and magic combine
See the maidens so anxious to shine Look for a sign
that enhances Chances
She’ll be his special one

INT. BALLROOM - CASTLE - NIGHT

The dance speeds up. The Prince connects momentarily with a

beautiful woman -- but quickly moves on when his eye catches
someone even more dazzling:

DIVA
What a display! What a breathtaking thrilling array
coos to the dog
Every prince, every dog has his day Let us sing with
passion, gusto Fit to bust - oh Not a care in the
world
KNOCK KNOCK. The Prince stops. Then a gust of wind blows open
the windows. Sconces flicker and go dark. The figure enters in
silhouette, hobbling on a CANE.

Furious, the Prince grabs a lit candelabra from the Footman.

He rudely pushes through the crowd, sweeping people from his

path. He crosses to the windows, finally revealing --

AN OLD BEGGAR WOMAN shivering from the rain. She looks to the
Prince with hope and offers him -- A RED ROSE.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Then, one night, an unexpected intruder arrived at the
castle, seeking shelter from the bitter storm. As a
gift, she offered the Prince a single rose.

The PRINCE’S HAND waves her off. The woman begs on her knees.

The Prince motions to the staff.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the Prince turned
the woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived
by appearances, for beauty is found within.

The majordomo and footman approach to usher her out. The woman
lowers her head as if to cry --

NARRATOR (V.O.)
And when he dismissed her again, the old woman’s
outward appearance melted away to reveal...

Suddenly, the old woman’s cape and hood cocoon. AN ERUPTION OF

LIGHT as she transforms into...

NARRATOR (V.O.)
...a beautiful Enchantress.

The wind picks up inside the room. Frightened, the Prince falls
to his knees.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
The Prince tried to apologize but it was too late. For
she had seen that there was no love in his heart.
As the Prince begs for mercy, his body begins to transform. His
jewelry pops off. His clothing rips as he grows larger.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
As punishment, she transformed him into a hideous
beast...

The guests scream in horror and flee. But pushing his way
through the crowd, A YOUNG BOY slips into the ballroom, watching
in wonder as -- the PRINCE’S SHADOW twists into the SHADOW OF A
HIDEOUS BEAST.

The boy’s mother frantically follows him inside --

BOY’S MOTHER
Chip! Chip! Oh my...

-- just as the doors slam shut, leaving the staff, the

entertainers and the dog trapped in the room.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
... and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all
who lived there.

INT. BALLROOM - CASTLE - NIGHT

CLOSE ON a portrait of the handsome prince -- as the beast’s

giant paw slashes it.

EXT. CASTLE - NIGHT

Years later, the enchanted castle stands isolated. The property

is surrounded by an ice hedge. The only sound is the grim winter
wind. As we move closer:

NARRATOR (V.O.)
As days bled into years, the Prince and his servants
were forgotten by the world. For the Enchantress had
erased all memory of them from the minds of the people
they loved.

EXT/INT. BEAST’S LAIR - WEST WING - CASTLE - NIGHT

At the highest window of the west wing, we see THE BEAST. The
ROSE, already wilting, floats before him. To protect it, the
beast has covered it with a glass bell jar.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
But the rose she had offered was truly an enchanted
rose. If he could learn to love another and earn their
love in return by the time the last petal fell, the
spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to
remain a beast for all time.

TIGHT ON THE ROSE -- another petal drops.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all
hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?

EXT. BELLE’S COTTAGE - MORNING

The front door of a cozy cottage opens to reveal -- BELLE, a

pure beauty blessed with intelligent, fiercely inquisitive eyes.

With book in hand, she takes a deep breath of morning air and
gazes toward the church which peeks above the village rooftops.

BELLE
Little town, it’s a quiet village Every day like the
one before Little town full of little people Waking up
to say...

Belle looks at the clock on the church counting to 8am. Wait for
it. 3. 2. 1.

EXT. VILLAGE OF VILLENEUVE - MORNING

On cue, the villagers begin their day. A HOUSEWIFE opens a

window, nods to a WOMAN shaking out a rug nearby. A BUTCHER
opens his shop, waves to a COBBLER moving past with his cart.

VILLAGERS
Bonjour. Bonjour. Bonjour. Bonjour.

An old VAGRANT is the only one to notice Belle, smiling at her

as he’s tossed inside a HOLDING TANK by two GENDARMES.
 VAGRANT
Bonjour.

Belle weaves between the villagers, making herself invisible.

She passes a harried BAKER, buys a baguette --

BELLE
There goes the baker with his tray like always The
same old bread and rolls to sell

Belle approaches JEAN, the potter, tending to his MULE.

BELLE
Every morning just the same Since the morning that we
came To this poor provincial town

JEAN
Good morning, Belle

Jean scratches his head, trying to remember something. He

searches his cart which is loaded with pottery.

BELLE
Good morning, Monsieur Jean. Have you lost something
again?

JEAN
I believe I have. Problem is, I can’t remember what.
Well, I’m sure it will come to me.

As she leaves:

JEAN
Where are you off to?

BELLE
To return this book to Pere Robert. It’s about two
lovers in fair Verona.

JEAN
Sounds boring.

Later -- Belle passes SCHOOL BOYS as they march into the school
house. Their heads turn in unison.

SCHOOL BOYS
 Look there she goes That girl is strange, no question

The NASTY HEADMASTER ushers them in impatiently.

NASTY HEADMASTER
Dazed and distracted, can’t you tell?

As the boys scramble into school, Belle steps on the stones over
the duck pond -- revealing GIRLS forced into “woman's work”
chores, washing clothes in the circular laverie.

They’re surrounded by women kneading clothes on barrels.

WASHER WOMEN
Never part of any crowd ‘Cause her head’s up on some
cloud

LITTLE GIRLS
No denying she’s a funny girl That Belle

A FLIRTATIOUS FARMER approaches a PRETTY FISHMONGER’S WIFE.

FARMER
Bonjour, good day, how is your family?

PRETTY FISHMONGER’S WIFE

pointed
Bonjour, good day, how is your wife?

THE FISHMONGER pops up next to his wife, sending the would-be-

Lothario into retreat. Another fishmonger, the shrewish
CLOTHILDE, accosts him:

CLOTHILDE
I need six eggs

The FARMER points out the price. Belle moves past.

CLOTHILDE
That’s too expensive

BELLE
There must be more than this provincial life

INT. CHURCH VESTRY - DAY

Belle escapes into the peace and serenity of a country church.
Jolly PERE ROBERT looks up as she enters.

PERE ROBERT
Well! If it isn’t the only bookworm in town. So where
did you run off to this week?

BELLE
Two cities in Northern Italy. I didn’t want to come
back.

Belle hands “Romeo and Juliet” to Pere Robert, who dutifully

returns it to the shelves of the town’s “library”: a COUPLE
DOZEN BOOKS in total. She remains hopeful.

BELLE
Have you got any new places to go?

PERE ROBERT
I’m afraid not. But you may reread any of the old ones
that you’d like.

BELLE
Thank you, Pere Robert. Your library almost makes our
small corner of the world feel big.

He smiles. Belle picks up a new book and smiles back.

PERE ROBERT
Bon voyage.

EXT. VILLAGE OF VILLENEUVE - DAY

ANGLE ON BELLE -- nose planted in her book, she walks down into
the crowded market which is just being set up. Belle passes TOM,
DICK, and STANLEY - all burly, tough guys.

TOM, DICK & STANLEY

Look -- there she goes The girl is so peculiar

Belle buys jam then glides past an APOTHECARY’s open cart:

APOTHECARY
I wonder if she’s feeling well
Belle ducks under CHEESE SELLERS carrying their trays:

CHEESE SELLERS
With a dreamy far-off look And her nose stuck in a
book What a puzzle to the rest of us Is Belle

Behind her, FLORISTS pass with huge bouquets. It’s a glorious

parade but Belle remains oblivious as she continues to read...

BELLE
Oh... isn’t this amazing? It’s my favorite part
because you’ll see Here’s where she meets Prince
Charming But she won’t discover that it’s him ‘Til
chapter three

THREE FASHION-CRAZED VILLAGE LASSES -- ALL DRESSED IN THE SAME

STYLE -- POP THEIR HEADS FROM THE WINDOWS OF THE DRESS SHOP.
THEIR MOTHER, WHO IS BESOTTED WITH BELLE, HEADS OUTSIDE WHEN SHE
SEES HER:

VILLAGE LASSES’ MOTHER

Now it’s no wonder that her name means “Beauty”
Her looks have got no parallel

HER DAUGHTERS FOLLOW, SEETHING WITH JEALOUSY:

VILLAGE LASS #1
But behind that fair facade I’m afraid she’s rather
odd

VILLAGE LASSES’ MOTHER

greets Belle
Very different from the rest of us

VILLAGE LASSES
She’s nothing like the rest of us
Yes, different from the rest of us

BELLE SLIPS THROUGH THE CROWD.

VILLAGERS
Is Belle

EXT. VILLAGE PROMONTORY - DAY

LOOKING DOWN ON THE VILLAGE IS GASTON, A DASHINGLY HANDSOME WAR
HERO CLAD IN A DAZZLING GOLD BREASTPLATE. THE ONLY THING BIGGER
THAN HIS MUSCLES IS HIS EGO. STRAPPED ON HIS SADDLE IS A MUSKET
AND THE SPOILS OF HIS HUNT: RABBIT, FOX, AND FOWL. RIDING BESIDE
HIM IS GASTON’S LONG-SUFFERING AIDE-DE- CAMP AND DEVOTED BEST
FRIEND LEFOU.

THROUGH HIS SPYGLASS, GASTON SPOTS BELLE.

GASTON
Look at her, LeFou. My future wife. Belle is the most
beautiful girl in the village. That makes her the
best.

LEFOU
But she’s so well-read, and you’re so...
about to say “not”
Athletically inclined.

GASTON
I know. Belle can be as argumentative as she is
beautiful.

LEFOU
Exactly, who needs her, when you’ve got us!

GASTON
Yes, but ever since the war I’ve been missing
something. And she’s the only girl I’ve met who gives
me that sense of...

LEFOU
Je ne sais quoi?

GASTON
I don’t know what that means.

EXT. VILLAGE OF VILLENEUVE - DAY

Gaston and LeFou ride through the village gates. Gaston motions
toward Belle in the village square. Geese flock around her feet,
seeming to follow her.

GASTON
singing
 Right from the moment when I met her, saw her I said
she’s gorgeous and I fell Here in town there’s only
she Who is beautiful as me So I’m making plans to woo
and marry Belle

As Gaston passes, the lasses try to catch his eye.

VILLAGE LASSES
Look there he goes, isn’t he dreamy Monsieur Gaston,
oh he’s so cute Be still my heart I’m hardly breathing
He’s such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute

As Gaston dismounts, the lasses get splattered with mud from his
horse’s hooves. LeFou shoots them a look, whispers:

LEFOU
It’s never gonna happen, ladies.

Noticing Belle crossing the market, Gaston starts off in

pursuit. He grabs flowers from the PERFUME STALL and makes a
bouquet. As they each make their way through the market:

The image swells to reveal the whole village, singing.

ALL
Look there she goes a girl who’s Strange but special A
most peculiar mademoiselle It’s a pity and a sin She
doesn’t quite fit in!

VILLAGE LASSES
But she really is a funny girl

VILLAGE MEN
A beauty but a funny girl

ALL
She really is a funny girl that Belle!

Slightly out of breath, Gaston finally catches up with Belle.

GASTON
Good morning, Belle! Wonderful book you have there.

BELLE
You’ve read it?
 GASTON
Well, not that one. But, you know. Books.
hands her the flowers
For your dinner table. Shall I join you this evening?

BELLE
Sorry, not tonight.

GASTON
Busy?

BELLE
No.

A mortified smile and Belle is off. LeFou approaches.

LEFOU
So. Moving on?

GASTON
No, LeFou. It’s the ones who play hard to get that are
always the sweetest prey.

GASTON
That’s what makes Belle so appealing. She hasn’t made
a fool of herself just to gain my favor. What would
you call that?

LEFOU
Dignity?

GASTON
It’s outrageously attractive, isn’t it?

Gaston looks at the village lasses standing outside of the

tavern. They all give him the eye. Gaston saunters over.

EXT. BELLE’S COTTAGE - DAY

Belle hears the tinkle of a sweet MUSIC BOX tune wafting out of
her father’s basement workshop.

INT. CELLAR WORK ROOM - BELLE’S COTTAGE - DAY