Peau D'Ane (aka Donkey Skin) (1970)

Before she dies, a Queen (Catherine Deneuve) makes the King (Jean Marais) promise that he will never remarry unless his bride is more beautiful than she. The King promises but the only one more beautiful than the Queen is their daughter (Catherine Deneuve)! When the King proposes marriage, with the help of her fairy godmother (Delphine Seyrig), the Princess flees the castle and hides in anonymity as a scullion in the forest. Based on the 17th century fairy tale by Charles Perrault (CINDERELLA) and directed by Jacques Demy (UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG). Though it was his biggest hit (in France, anyway), Demy's PEAU D'ANE doesn't have the stature of his other musical films like CHERBOURG or YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT. True, that may be because it simply isn't as good as the other two but it's a lovely simulation of an adult fairy tale, much the same way as Cocteau's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (whose influence is clearly felt here). The songs, again by Michel Legrand, aren't as memorable either but there is one charming musical moment as Deneuve bakes a cake. Shot by Ghislain Cloquet (THE FIRE WITHIN), it's vividly colorful with beautiful costumes courtesy of Gitt Magrini (THE CONFORMIST). With Micheline Presle, Jacques Perrin and Ferdinand Ledoux.