Product Details

• Actors: John Neville-Andrews, Mark Jaster, Caitlin O'Connell
• Directors: Tom Davenport
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1888522208
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,898 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Not all stepmothers are alike. In this inventive retelling of the Brothers Grimm classic "Snow White," the regal stepmother--a well-regarded but rather vain actress--finds her sweet 15-year-old stepdaughter quite benign at first. But when young Willa unintentionally threatens to upstage the aging thespian, all hell breaks loose. Willa escapes Regina's fury with help from Regina's dear, devoted butler, Otto, and links up with a traveling medicine show. Together, Willa, the dwarf, a self-proclaimed Indian chief, and a "doc" named Alfonzo mix Shakespeare, storytelling, and song to peddle their medicinal concoction ("The Elixir of Life") around the Virginia countryside. Although the brew doesn't cure rheumatism, it sure comes in handy during a prince shortage. A talented, well-orchestrated ensemble blends with an intelligent script, rich scenery, and a lovely, subtle score; the result is 85 minutes of captivating family entertainment. A few rather chilling stepmother scenes could disturb young viewers, so save this realistic version of "Snow White" for the unflappable 6-and-over crowd. --Liane Thomas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and Endearing! A Great Movie!, January 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Willa: An American Snow White [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I discovered this by sheer accident. Great cast, creative story, something for the whole family. Some parts are genuinely upsetting, ie. wicked stepmother Regina and the "death" of Willa from the apple. On the whole, romantic, witty, moving, and thouroughly entertaining! YOU WON"T BE SORRY! BUY THIS VIDEO!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite rendition of Snow White, May 16, 2000

By 

Heidi Anne Heiner (SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Willa: An American Snow White [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I'll admit that Snow White has always been my least favorite of the popular fairy tales, such as the ones treated by Disney. This film has helped me see the story in a new light. Willa does not spend her time dancing with cute little creatures and quietly waiting for her prince to come. The dynamics of her relationship with her stepmother, Otto (a butler) and the members of a traveling roadshow make this film interesting as well as entertaining. I also enjoyed the elements of the story about vanity, acting and Shakespeare. Although I was familiar with the tale, I found myself wondering how this story would end. The film has suspense, humor, and intelligence. Don't miss it.

Tom Davenport has been creating fairy tale films set in the United States for over 20 years. This is one of his best. It appeared on PBS on Christmas Day 1999 so many people missed it. Now with the movie on video, you can see it, too.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a delightful movie, January 27, 2002

By 

Angela Beegle "Angela B." (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Willa: An American Snow White [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I was involved in the scripting for 'Willa' (you'll see my name listed under 'thanks also to' ;) and it was a wonderful challenge to my creativity and to Mr. Davenport's entire team. The first half of the story was created more or less in Email by committee - myself, Mr. Davenport, Mr. Manley, and a friend named Paul Findlay, plus to a smaller extent a couple of other people. Then halfway through, Mr. Davenport brought in the brilliant (credited) playwright who *really* pulled the story together from the elements we'd begun with, plus a lot of things of his own. I was in a Gilbert & Sullivan and Shakespeare kick at the time; you can see that elements made it in (though not the ones I'd suggested - still, it's always nice to see classic literature worked into childrens' movies, to introduce them to the Great Works.)

One of the funniest things I remember from the first half of the scripting period was an email from Mr. Manley, saying he wouldn't be surprised if some mud men flew down in a UFO powered by absinthe, and kidnapped Willa. Obviously none of those elements made it into the finished product. ;)

I'm an especial fan of Mark Jaster, the 'huntsman' in 'Willa' - also the mysterious little man/one of the demons haunting the house in 'Soldier Jack.

I realise this doesn't tell much about the movie, except how much fun I had helping - in my own little way - to bring it into existence. It was fun to help create, and it's fun to watch. I think the world of Mr. Davenport and all his From The Brothers Grimm films. My children are a little young yet to watch Willa, so it's waiting on the shelf a few more years yet.