Continuity mistake: When we see Belle and her father talking for the first time, Belle's hair is behind her, hanging down her back. Then you see it resting on her shoulder. Throughout the entire scene, her hair changes between falling down her back or resting on her shoulder.
Continuity mistake: Right before Le Fou starts the Gaston song, the way Gaston holds the knife (when he says "A hunter...") changes between shots.
Continuity mistake: When the Gaston song ends, Le Fou's hair swaps from messed up to brushed.
Continuity mistake: When Gaston ties Belle's dad, the ropes around him change positions between shots.
Continuity mistake: In the opening song "Belle" - Belle exits her house wearing brown lace up boots. When she then helps the little girl to read, she is wearing espadrilles. When she leaves her house to sing the reprise "Madam, Gaston, can't you just see it" she is wearing espadrilles. Later when Phillipe the horse returns without her father, Maurice, Belle is wearing brown boots again and enters the castle wearing them. Then when she is with the beast and stood on the ladder choosing books - she has espadrilles on again. Her shoes alternate throughout the whole film.
Continuity mistake: Phillipe (the horse) runs away, after being shocked by the wolves. He still has the harness and chains on to pull the carriage. When Maurice jumps on his back, however, the chains and harness is not there anymore. Philippe only has the rein on.
Answer: It was never specified how long the curse had been in effect.
raywest ★