Beauty and the Beast doesnt reveal the Beasts real name, but theres one that is widely believed to be his official name. Beauty and the Beast, released in 1991 and directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, is based on the 1756 French fairy tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. The movie follows Belle, a book-loving, independent-minded girl imprisoned by a Beast in his castle. The Beast is actually a prince who was cursed (as well as his servants) for his arrogance, and the only way he could break the curse was by learning to love.