Directed by David Hand et al
Written by Ted Sears et al based on a story collected by the Brothers Grimm
1936/USA
Walt Disney Productions
Repeat viewing
#110 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
Doc: Why, the whole place is clean.
Grumpy: There’s dirty work afoot.
Disney spent an unheard of $1.8 million dollars on his first animated feature and every penny of it shows on the screen.
Everyone should know the fairy tale about the evil queen who tries to kill the beautiful little princess because she is the fairest in the land and how the princess escapes to live with some kindly dwarfs in the woods.
My affection for this film is unbounded. This time I noticed all the little details – the faces in the furniture, for example. One can see the overflowing creativity and joy with which this project was approached. I also loved the cinematic thinking behind the film – all those close-ups, tracking shots, and interesting angles. It may just be my favorite of the Disney cartoons, though Fantasia is way up there.
Does Dopey remind anybody else of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Newman?
Clip – “Heigh-Ho”
SNOW WHITE has a fascinating history, the use of the multiplane Technicolor camera, etc. When it previewed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the children tore up the seats — terrified by the Queen. Now, I want to revisit. Hiegh Ho!
The Queen/Witch is scary as is the walk in the woods with those creepy grabbing trees. I didn’t watch them this time but the two-disc DVDs has a ton of extras that goes into the history in minute detail.
For me the truly amazing thing is the pioneering effort of this movie. This was the first ever attempt at feature length animation and they got it right first time.
However I am not sure it is holding up as well against the later Disney production. I have a little 3 year old super judge who knows he cartoon. He much prefers Pinocchio and particularly Dumbo 🙂
I have a feeling that my favorite will end up being the last one I saw but I do have a special place in my heart for this. It’s good to have a super judge for an accurate rating!
Deeeeeeeeeelightful!!!!!