There aren’t that many Disney films that can boast of a legacy in the same way as ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ has (sorry ‘The Lion King’ (1994) and ‘Frozen’(2013)!). As well as being the first full length animated film from going over an hour at that time, it still stands out as being very popular amongst today’s audience, regardless of what current day Disney is trying to say otherwise.
I’m sure many people will sympathize though when I say that I was terrified of it when I originally sat down to watch it at the age of three years old. However, I came back to it ten years later because I got bored one afternoon and ended up watching my old VHS tape of it. Needless to say, my opinion about it changed immediately; I loved and respected it!
The story starts off with the first “Opening the book” opening for a Disney animated film in which it explains Snow White’s current situation; that the Evil Queen consulted her Magic Mirror every day asking who the “Fairest of them all” was. As long as the Mirror said it was her, Snow White was safe.
However, when the Evil Queen consults the Mirror one morning, it says something different; that “Rags cannot hide her beauty”. The Evil Queen demands to know who the maiden is that is fairer than her. The Mirror of course replies with “Hair black as ebony, lips red as rose, skin white as snow”. She is furious; she knows that the Mirror is on about her step-daughter Snow White.
Outside, Snow White is washing the garden steps and humming to herself. A flock of doves have flown over to watch her by the well. Whilst drawing water from the well, Snow tells them a secret; it’s a Wishing Well. She then explains even further in the song “I’m Wishing”.
Unknown to her, the Prince just happens to be walking by when he hears Snow’s singing. Captivated, he quietly watches Snow…and unexpectedly-to her- joins in. Snow is immediately startled by him and flees back into the castle but the Prince tries to reassure her that he means her no harm in the song “One Song”.
Moved, Snow steps out onto a balcony and watches him sing to her. Unknown to both of them they’re being watched jealously by the Evil Queen.
Upon reception, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ had been very well received by both critics and audience members alike. There was only one problem though; the scenes with the Evil Queen frightened many younger viewers. This was brushed off though since basically everyone loved it so much.
It was even given a Oscar for “Best Animated Film” (complete with seven little Oscars!) presented to Walt Disney by 1930’s child star Shirley Temple.
As I said earlier, I had been frightened by this as a child but I came back to it ten years later and I loved it. Everything about this film still holds up nearly 90 years later; the animation, voice acting and soundtrack.
It might be a little bit dark for younger viewers but I recommend this over much of current day Disney’s stuff. Especially the horrible up and coming live action remake which we definitely didn’t need!
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