Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history. The film was based on the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It tells the story of a beautiful princess, Snow White, who is forced to flee into the forest to escape her jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen, and is taken in by seven lovable dwarfs. The movie is known for its innovative animation techniques and memorable sequences, such as Snow White's flight through the woods, the Queen and her Magic Mirror, and the Dwarfs' march over the bridge as they sing "Heigh-Ho".
The film features iconic characters, including the Seven Dwarfs: Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey. Each dwarf has a distinct personality, with Dopey being the most childlike and clumsy, and Sneezy suffering from hay fever.
The movie received critical acclaim for its story, vibrant art, and memorable songs, setting the animation standard for decades to come. It remains a timeless classic and an inspired work of art on every level.
Plot
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs tells the story of a young princess named Snow White, who is exiled into the forest by her jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen, who fears that Snow White's beauty surpasses her own. In the forest, Snow White befriends seven dwarfs and they welcome her into their home. Meanwhile, the Evil Queen, disguised as an old hag, tricks Snow White into eating a poisoned apple, causing her to fall into a death-like sleep.
The dwarfs, along with the woodland creatures, chase the Queen to her death. They then place her body in a glass coffin. A prince, who had fallen in love with Snow White, happens by and awakens her with love's first kiss. The film ends with the prince and Snow White riding off to his castle.
The plot is a classic tale of good versus evil, love, and the triumph of the human spirit. It has become a beloved and enduring story for audiences of all ages.
Cast
- Adriana Caselotti as Snow White
- Harry Stockwell as the Prince
- Lucille La Verne as the Queen
- Roy Atwell as Doc
- Pinto Colvig as Sleepy and Grumpy
- Otis Harlan as Happy
- Scotty Mattraw as Bashful
- Billy Gilbert as Sneezy
- Eddie Collins as Dopey
Director: David Hand
Writer: Ted Sears, Richard Creedon, Otto Englander, Dick Rickard, Earl Hurd, Merrill De Maris, Webb Smith
Box Office Gross: $184,960,471
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2016
Theme
The film's central theme is the triumph of good over evil. It tells the story of a beautiful princess, Snow White, who is forced to flee into the forest to escape her jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen. The Queen is obsessed with her own beauty and becomes enraged when she learns that Snow White is more beautiful than she is. The Queen orders Snow White's death, but she is saved by the Seven Dwarfs and ultimately finds true love with the Prince.
Reception
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1937. It was the first full-length animated feature film and was praised for its innovative animation techniques, memorable characters, and engaging story. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Musical Score and won an honorary Academy Award for its groundbreaking achievement in animation.
Production Challenges
The production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a massive undertaking for Walt Disney and his team. The film took three years to make and cost $1.5 million, which was an enormous sum of money at the time. The animation techniques used in the film were groundbreaking and required a great deal of experimentation and innovation. The film's success paved the way for future animated films and established Disney as a major player in the entertainment industry.
Settings, Visual Styles, and Techniques
The film is set in a fairy tale world and features a variety of settings, including a castle, a forest, and a mine. The visual style of the film is characterized by its use of vibrant colors, intricate details, and expressive character designs. The animation techniques used in the film, such as the multiplane camera, allowed for greater depth and realism in the animation.
Trivia and Fun Facts
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first film to release a soundtrack album.
- The voice actress who played Snow White, Adriana Caselotti, was paid only $970 for her work on the film.
- The film's release was delayed by a year due to concerns that audiences would not sit through a feature-length animated film.
- The character of Dopey was originally intended to have a speaking role, but the filmmakers decided to make him mute to enhance his comedic appeal.
- The film's success allowed Walt Disney to build a new studio in Burbank, California, which is still in use today.