10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oh, For More Movies Like Snow White, November 17, 2001
The story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is an enchanting, experimental romp with animation. At the time of its release, in December of 1937, Walt Disney was taking a heavy, financial risk with this movie. Film goers were used to watching short animated films, like "Steamboat Willie", starring Disney creation, Mickey Mouse. However, what was yet to be known was ... would audiences sit through an hour and a half cartoon?
The story itself is simple enough. A wicked queen, vane in every respect, has but one sinister ambition. That being to be "the most beautiful of all". Every day she asks her mirror, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most fairest of them all?". One day, however, the mirror answers, "Snow White" as the most fairest. Outraged that there is another person more beautiful than her, she orders a huntsman to find Snow White, and kill her. He obeys this command up until a point. After taking her deep into the forest, he has seconds thoughts, tells Snow White what the queen wanted him to do, and pleads with her to escape, which she does.
Snow White meets up with seven dwarfs, who initially have no interest in her, nor her imposing ways. The dwarfs are bachelors, of sorts; at least, living in the manner of a bachelor. They are dirty and unkemp, as is their home. Snow White gets them to clean up and live more respectfully; a rough task in the beginning, and much despised by the dwarfs. However, she grown on them, and soon they come to respect her.
Meanwhile, the queen discovers Snow White is still alive. Finding out where she is, the queen disguises herself as an old hag, and goes in search of her. In her possession she carries an apple ... a poisonous apple with which she intends to give to Snow White to eat. While the dwarfs are out working, Snow White encounters the queen, and is given the apple. After taking one bite, she falls to the ground, dead, unable to be revived and brought back to life but by "love's first kiss". Eventually a prince comes along, as is the custom in fairy tales, and kisses Snow White, bringing her back to life. What happens to the queen is an entirely different matter indeed.
So is a short synopsis of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". However, problems evolved in the making of "Snow White". Based on a Grimms Bros. fairy tale, there was not enough material to make it into a film version, and Dinsey wondered how he could make an animated feature length film, and still keep the audiences attention. He also wondered what he could do to offset the horror in the film. "Snow White", after-all, dealt with, and ultimately contained, much terror that even today still frightens some younger viewers.
The answer came in several factors. One was in fast paced crosscutting scenes, so that the action was not concentrated on one particular character for too long. Another answer came with using sweet, mellow songs to help move the story along. "I'm Wishing", "With A Smile In My Song", "Whistle While You Work", and "Heigh Ho" were just some of the songs that helped carry "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". A third factor, and perhaps the most important of them all, came in the comedics of the dwarfs themselves. Doc, Sleepy, Grumpy, Happy, Sneezy, Bashful, and Dopey were all meticulously created, each with their own identities; and but for them and their silliness throughout "Snow White", the film may not have moved with the speed it did, and older members in the audience may have become bored, while younger ones may have become more frightened.
All of the elements were now in place, including a wonderful cast
that starred Adriana Casoletti as Snow White, Harry Stockwell, as the prince, and Lucille Laverne as the Queen. In its initial release, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" pulled in over four million dollars, thereby securing both Disney's future, and the future of animated films. Without the success of Snow White, it is easy to conclude Disney would not have attempted it again, and we never would have known of "Bambi" "Pinocchio", or "Dumbo". Thanks to Walt Disney's heavy gamble with "Snow White", his exhausting persistence in seeing it through, a flood gate of highly successful animated films have graced the silver screen, amusing and entertaining audiences for decades hence.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
