[82] I remeber having the same issue with Letter Never Sent that I have with this one, that the story doesn't quite live up to the images, but somehow this movie is magic. It's biggest problem (it's lack of character depth) can be somewhat justified by the fact it's based on a myth, and really Jean Cocteau isn't interested in spinning a gripping yarn, although he ends up making one regardless, but in transporting tha audience through cinema and special effects. All of the effects are ones that had been around since silent cinema but he uses this so cleverly and effectivly they're truely a means to convey the story and not just an end unto themselves (like in letter never sent). This is what pure cinema looks like if you ever need a crash course.