Seeing “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is one of my favorite childhood memories. A theatre in Kansas City used to screen these old Disney movies around the holidays and my dad would take my sister and I, along with aunts, uncles and cousins to see these. I’ve always had a special appreciation for the fact I got to see these classics in theatres. At that time (I’m dating myself here), owning movies on home video wasn’t that big of a deal, so this was about the only way to see it.
It isn’t a big secret to say that Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is an animation classic. However, there are several things about this animated movie from 1937 that elevate it above most animated movies of today. First and foremost is the classical hand drawn animation Disney Studios used to be famous for. Nowadays its easier to use 3D animation or computer animation but there really is nothing like watching hand drawn animation. Secondly, this Disney version doesn’t stray too far from the dark heart of this fairy tale, even with all the cutesy animals and the goofy dwarfs.
Everyone knows, or at least should know, the story of Snow White. Based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, an evil Queen longs to be the fairest maiden in the land. When her magic mirror tells her there is someone fairer than she, the queen orders a huntsman to track the princess Snow White down and cut her heart out so the Queen can consume it. That’s already some pretty dark stuff. Of course the huntsman can’t go through with it and tells Snow White to disappear. When the Queen finds out about his treachery, she seduces Snow White into eating a poisonous apple, which sends the young girl into a deep coma. The only thing that can wake her is the kiss from Prince Charming.
Despite the overly long and slightly silly middle act in which Snow White finds shelter with the fat little dwarfs, “Snow White” maintains a dark and gloomy atmosphere and a lot of that can be attributed to the animation. This story could also be a good lesson for children about the dangers of taking candy– or anything really– from strangers. Although perhaps it best if you also use it as a lesson to little girls that they can’t pass out in the woods and hope a strange man comes along, Prince or not.
Check out some of my other movie reviews at Examiner.com.