SYNOPSIS

Mr. Granite, a wealthy merchant, has three daughters, Ruby, Opal and the youngest, Belle. Belle has a sweet and kindly nature devoid of selfishness. Ruby and Opal are vain and self-centered, but still they have suitors - Garnet and Topaz. Belle also has an admirer - Hercules; but he is a conceited womanizer, and Belle has rejected him.

Disaster befalls Mr. Granite and he loses his riches. Creditors take his remaining possessions. Determined to recover his fortune, Mr. Granite travels to the next city. On his journey, he loses his way in an immense and frightening forest. As he searches for an escape, Mr. Granite comes upon a mysterious castle. He enters the forbidding building and comes face-to-face with its owner - a terrifying Beast. The angry Beast imprisons Mr. Granite for trespassing.

The Beast was once a handsome prince, but a sorceress put a spell on him for being cruel and arrogant. To change back into a prince, the Beast must love - and be loved in return - by a maiden.

Belle is worried about her father's absence and sets out to find him. She too becomes lost in the forest and reaches the strange castle. She discovers her imprisoned father and tries, without success, to rescue him. Suddenly, Belle is confronted by the Beast. She pleads with him to let her father go and offers to stay and take his place. The Beast accepts this arrangement.

Every evening they meet, and soon Belle discovers that the Beast is not at all terrible or fierce. His gentleness and kindness overwhelm her, and she slowly begins to care for him.

Belle grows accustomed to her new way of life, but she misses her family. The Beast gives Belle a magic mirror that lets her see what is happening at home. To her dismay, Belle sees that her father is very sick. She begs the Beast to let her go home and promises to return in a week. The Beast reluctantly agrees but warns Belle that if she breaks her promise her father will die.

Upon her arrival home, Belle finds that her father is already dying. But the magic mirror cures him. Belle tells her sisters about her life with the Beast. They are envious and try to persuade her to stay. Hercules proposes to Belle, and once again, she rejects him. Belle looks into the magic mirror and sees that the Beast is longing for her. Angry and jealous, Hercules shatters the mirror and vows to kill the Beast.

Hercules summons the villagers to accompany him to the castle. They find the Beast. A fight ensues, and the Beast is badly wounded. Belle is heartbroken and desperately tries to revive him. Then, with a wave of love and compassion, she kisses the Beast. A miracle happens. There is a celebration, and the pair live happily ever after.