Belle (BD) [Blu-ray]

What a beautiful film. Well acted by an excellent cast. Well directed. The costumes and the set are opulent in a way I never expected. The story is based on a true one, one I'd never heard of. And it is just as relevant to today's world as it was to then. Sam Reid as Mr. Davinier and Gugu M'batha Raw as Belle are stand outs in the sea of amazing actors. I normally don't watch "art films" because I find them too self-indulgent and boring. But this is one art film that broke the mold and is worthy of a watch or two. Or many more. In that case, I say "Ars gratia Artis" and recommend it highly.

Great story

Love it

I really enjoyed this movie in the theater so I was excited to purchase it.So sad I could not play it on my dcd player. Something about not made for the USA

A wonderful movie with a heartfelt story.

I don’t have Blu-ray and I thought that it said it also worked for DVD. So they tried to send me a link to do the online version of it and that didn’t work either. So I believe they eventually gave me a refund, but do not order it if you don’t have Blu-ray.

DVD arrived in mint condition. Excellent story line, actresses/actors, captivating and grand costumes. I can’t wait to go to Scotland to see the actual painting of the two cousins!

Belle is a beautifully filmed movie set in the slave trading era of the British empire. Belle is the daughter of a British nobleman and a beautiful African slave. Her father brings her to his family home and asks his uncle, who is the lord chief justice, to raise Belle as his daughter. Although there is some definite trepidation, on the uncles part, in the beginning, Belle, being a brilliant and charming young lady, becomes her uncles favorite adopted child.Upon the death of her father, while he is serving in the British Royal Navy, Belle inherits her fathers wealth, making her a lady of independent means. But in this backward and morally corrupt time period, Belle being half-African descent, is treated as less than her standing of a lady deserves. And things are complicated by the introduction of interested suitors into the story. Do they want her for her beauty and accomplishment, or do they simply want to take advantage of her fortune?This story coincides with a landmark decision of the high court, which will decide as to whether the slave ship Zong will be compensated by their insurers for "losing their cargo", which amounts to them having thrown their cargo of slaves overboard, due to disease. It is a sobering and horrifying thought today that any corporation would expect to be compensated for murdering people. When Belle is made aware of this case by her uncle's handsome young apprentice, it sets in motion a compelling plot.Anyone who is interested in Jane Austen movies will love this movie. Anyone who is interested in the beginnings of the Abolitionist movement will love this movie. It's a winner.