So after my Moana review I thought I would do an entire series of Disney movie reviews. So going back to the one that started it all, this is a review of snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! Being the world's first feature-length animated movie meant that it cost more than normal to make the movie however it proved to be hugely successful. The film got the ball rolling for Walt Disney who ended up dominating the family-friendly movie market for the next 75 years! It layed a foundation for the now powerful studio to build their future hits off. From Walt acting the entire movie out on stage in front of his team of animators back in 1934 to it now being the backbone of the animation industry. The movie premiered in December 1937 and managed to take in more than $850,000 and considering children only payed 10 cents to see the movie (25 cents for adults) that's pretty impressive.
This adaptation of the folk tale by the Grimm Brothers is about a young princess-turned servant named Snow White, who is ran out of her kingdom by her jealous and wicked stepmother who is told by her magic mirror that she is no longer 'fairest of them all'. The vain Queen orders her huntsman to kill her stepdaughter in the forest however he cannot go through with it and instead let's her escape. One of the more memorable parts of the movie is the terrifying scene of Snow White's first night in the forest, but she manages to stumble across a lovely, quaint cottage in the woods. In the morning she wakes to find herself being cared for by seven dwarf miners: Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Dopey and Doc. As these lovable wee men go to work down in the diamond mine, Snow cleans their home and bakes pies for them. Meanwhile back at the castle, the magic mirror informs the Queen that Snow white still lives. Disguising herself as an old, haggard crone, the Queen pays a visit to the dwarfs cottage and tempts Snow White with a poisoned apple. The princess falls into a death-like sleep from which she can only be awoken by the kiss of her true love. Luckily there just so happens to be a prince nearby!
The casting process for an animated movie may just be as grueling as a live-action movie. Disney auditioned more than 150 young women for the voice of Snow White, the studio eventually decided on Adriana Caselotti, the daughter of a Hollywood vocal coach. Actor Harry Stockwell who comes from a family of actors, not only did the voice of the prince but also performed live-action footage for rotoscoping, which compared with today's technology is the equivalent to motion capture. A familiar voice some fans might have recognized is the voices or rather noises of both Sleepy and Grumpy, as they are played by Pinto Volig who also voiced Goofy.
Animated movies have came a long way over the years and very rarely is a movie released nowadays that has been completely hand drawn. It's estimated that more than one million drawings were made during the production of the film with 750 artists including 20 layout workers, 25 background artists, 32 animators, 65 special effects animators, 102 assistants, 107 inbetweeners and 158 inkers and painters. On top of all of this work, it was also the first movie soundtrack to be released as an album so the composers worked just as hard. With many recognizable songs such as Some Day My Prince Will Come, Heigh-Ho and Whistle While You Work, it's hard not to sing along.
The evil Queen was the first of many nightmare-inducing villains to come out of Disney. She terrifies children and makes the audience truly hate her. Let's face it we all jumped for joy when the forest animals nudged her off the cliff which doesn't happen with all villains. Disney have created villains that audiences really love and wanted to see more of but Snow White's stepmother truly is the epitome of an evil, Disney villain.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has become the crown jewel of Disney animated features, nearly 80 years since the movie was released, it still appeals to moviegoers of all ages and will stand the test of time.
Easter Eggs
Disclaimer: okay technically there is none, easter eggs are little nods to other Disney movies which Disney didn't have at the time but all the same here are some fun things to look out for!
#1 Hidden Mickeys
So the only fun easter eggs in the movie are hidden Mickey's so here are a few that I spotted!
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