A Disney classic brought to life

Last year there was an abundance of live-action Disney films with Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King and Lady And The Tramp, but in 2017 there was only one, the classic Beauty And

The Beast. With the help of Bill Condon, best known for the

2006 musical film Dreamgirls, the animated film refashioned the characters for a contemporary audience. A young Prince, imprisoned in the form of a Beast (Dan Stevens), can be freed only by true love. What may be his only chance arrives when he meets Belle (Emma Watson, below), the only human girl to visit the castle since it was enchanted. This spectacular, live-action version is hugely enjoyable and features a largely British cast of Luke Evans, Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson and Ian McKellen. Disney+, from Friday