Watch Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast is a version of the classic fairytale transported to the Viking period of history; as with all the versions of the tale the story revolves around a member of a royal family cursed to live as a monster until they find the love of a woman to release them from the curse. This 2003 co-production between South African and U.K. production companies is also known as The Blood of Beasts in some territories; opposed to some of the other versions of the story this version provides the female characters with action scenes and strong roles.

South African director David Lister was responsible for direction of the movie; Lister has been directing TV and film production since the 1970s when he graduated from film school in London, England. Following Beauty and the Beast Lister has made TV movies, such as Malibu Shark Attack and now works as a film lecturer at a college in Port Elizabeth, Australia.

Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Agnar and Freya; Agnar has been transformed into the Beast by the Norse God Odin and banished to live on a cursed island. On the Viking mainland King Thorsson wishes to die after exploring the island cursed by Odin and battling the mythical beast said to inhabit the isle. Thorsson leads an army including his deputy Sven to the island and eventually encounter the beast; a battle ensues and Thorsson is captured by the beast. Sven returns to the Viking community and explains to Thorsson's daughter Freya that her father is dead. Freya refuses to believe Thorsson has perished on the island and journeys there to free him when Sven refuses to help her. Upon arriving on the island the beast captures Freya and exchanges her for her Father's freedom. Returning to the mainland Sven and Throsson form an army and return to the island and free Freya. The beast and Freya have now formed a friendship, which prompts the beast to return to the mainland to claim her for himself. Eventually a battle ensues between Sven and the beast that ends with Freya fatally wounded adn the beast returned to human form by Freya's sacrifice.

The film stars Jane March, famous for her appearances in erotic thrillers The Lover and Color of Night appears as Freya. William Gregory Lee, who has appeared in television shows, such as Xena: Warrior Princess plays Sven.