A LOOK BACK: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
I have decided to watch all the Walt Disney Animation Studios films in order and do a look back for each of the films. Of course, we start at the beginning with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The film is based on the Grimm Brothers story and tells the tale of a young maiden who's beauty is so envied by her evil mother the Queen. So evil is the Queen that she sends a huntsman to bring her Snow White's heart. But, the huntsman could just not do it and the frightened Snow White finds the cottage of seven little men. The dwarfs fall in love with her and she takes care of them.
The Queen, however, finds out that Snow White is still alive and turns herself into an old hag who delivers her a poisoned apple. Snow White falls and the dwarfs mourn her. But, in the end, the Prince finds her, kisses her and Snow White wakes to true love's kiss. And they lived happily ever after.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was considered "Disney's folly" as nobody believed that he could pull off a feature length animated film. Until then, animation was considered silly cartoons. But, Walt proved them wrong. The film turned out to be a smash success.
While the film itself might be dated in terms of the damsel in distress theme and the pacing of the film can be slow, there can be no doubt that the film is a masterpiece. Just think of how far the artists progressed in the 10 year period from the rubber house animation of the early Mickey Mouse cartoons to the gorgeous animation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This is why this film is my favorite of the Disney animated films.
The film is beautiful and uses the multi-plane camera in such an amazing way. The music to the film is wonderful and singable. I always catch myself humming songs from this movie, especially "I'm Wishing," "With A Smile And A Song" and, of course, "Someday My Prince Will Come."
In the end, Walt Disney achieved great acclaim for the film. With the profits from the film, Walt was able to build his dream studio in Burbank which still stands strong today. In 1939, he also received a very special honorary Academy Award that consisted of one Oscar and seven smaller ones representing the dwarfs and was presented it by Shirley Temple. It was truly a unique award to say the least. The film continues to be successful through re-releases and on home video.
While the Walt Disney Company was started by a mouse, one cannot deny the influence Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had in terms of growing the company, but the future of animation as well. It is a true classic indeed.