 Philip Glass (qv) composed an opera perfectly synchronized to the  film. The original soundtrack was eliminated, and he composed the  opera to be performed along with the film projected behind the  orchestra and voice talent. The compact disc recording of Glasss  "La Belle et la Bête" can be played alongside the film with a very  similar effect. Note: the opera is recorded on two compact discs;  hence it will be necessary to pause the film once while changing  discs. In the USA, the second DVD release of this film by the  Criterion Collection gives the viewer the option of hearing the  original soundtrack or the Philip Glass opera version, which, in a  sense, gives you two movies for the price of one. Glass has composed  similar works for two other Jean Cocteau (qv) films:  _Orphée (1949)_ (qv) and _Enfants terribles, Les (1950)_ (qv).