There’s been much debate on what Walt Disney’s greatest achievement was in film. Some say “Pinocchio” was his best, others say “Mary Poppins” or “Fantasia”, but for me personally, no other movie from Walt Disney himself was more special … then the one that started it all. Whether you love it or hate it, view it as timeless or dated, the 1937 animated picture “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is a significant touchstone in motion picture history, and paved the way for countless other classics to come. Beyond being the first animated picture from the Disney studio, this film is arguably the reason we have so many classic animated achievements in film today, whether it be the advanced CGI of “Toy Story” or breathtaking Japanese anime’s like “Spirited Away”, Snow White was a contribution to their being here. Even some of our favorite live-action classics like “The Wizard of Oz” and even “Star Wars” owe something to this film. Needless to say, I felt the time was right to finally sit-down and review one of my all-time favorite animated pictures.
In a far-off kingdom, the evil Queen of the land is obsessed with being “Fairest of All”, and the one wrinkle is her stepdaughter, the Princess Snow White, who despite being reduced to palace servant and wearing rags, will always be more beautiful and fairer than the wicked monarch. The Queens jealousy reaches a boiling point, and the Princess soon finds herself running for dear life … before her stepmother can take it. She finds sanctuary in a small cottage deep in the woods, and very soon meets the occupants … seven little men, referred to as Dwarfs, and each with one distinct character trait that’s addressed in each of their names. While initially startled by their unexpected guest, she quickly contributes to improving their lifestyles, and earns a place in their home. Little do they know, the Evil Queen is cooking up a plan to seal Snow Whites fate for good … and it revolves around one very rotten piece of fruit.
Released during the latter half of the Great Depression, and with the tension of World War II just around the corner, Walt Disney had one very important goal in mind with Snow White … beyond telling a layered story with layered characters, and deep morals or ambitious themes … “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” needed to be an escape … a chance for audiences to simply forget about all the troubles surrounding them, and be swept away into something special. In this regard, Snow White is all about “feelings”, and how each moment triggers a different emotion. While the majority of the movie is positive and upbeat, it’s not a one-note experience either. The film honestly runs the whole gambit with sequences that are cheerful, spooky, romantic, funny, exciting, heartbreaking, and all-around magical. While many can argue this approach was perfected, and certainly elevated with both “Pinocchio” and “Fantasia”, I personally find something incredibly warm and comforting about Snow White that’s always resonated with me a little more than it’s successors.
First off, the film is exploding with iconography, to the point where, even if you haven’t seen this movie, you’re probably still familiar with the visuals and moments of the film. The silhouettes of the Dwarfs walking home as they sing “Heigh-Ho”, the poisoned apple, Snow White being awaken by a kiss, even The Magic Mirror, who’s only on screen for a few moments is a staple in both animation and pop culture. The animation itself looks fantastic, with gorgeous backgrounds and active environments. While maybe not as polished as the animation of today, I still think it looks wonderful, and broke so much ground for its time. Even the life-like movement of the characters was a technical achievement.
Speaking of characters, let's talk about our Seven Dwarfs … Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sneezy, Bashful, Sleepy, and Dopey.
I understand there’s been some controversy regarding them, and Dwarfs in general, but I want to push all that aside and just focus on these characters as is, because for me, they are a big part of what makes this movie so appealing. While each only has one character trait tied into their names, it’s their interactions off each other that makes them so appealing. I love when they butt-heads with each other, or when they talk in unison, and we see their different personalities bounce off one another … it’s absolutely delightful. Dopey of course stood out as the silent, beardless one, and his goofy antics made him a favorite for many kids. For me, my favorite character has always been good old Grumpy. He’s the tough guy of the group who has the most attitude, but a heart of gold underneath, and arguably has the biggest arc of the characters. His little relationship with Snow White is at the heart of the film, and seeing him go from the most dismissive of her, to the most loving of her presence is really quiet touching.
Aside from Grumpy, another ace up this film’s sleeve is the villain, who still has a secure spot among my all-time favorites in the Disney animation line-up.
While the Evil Queens character and motivations are very simple, she still works as an engaging driving force in the narrative. What makes her one of my personal favorites is her presentation, as she has not one … but two iconic personas, both as the Queen and as The Old Witch. There's nothing I enjoy more from a single character then a wide range of theatrics, and this evil witch hit all the theatrical checkmarks. As the Queen she was quiet, menacing and had this permanent frown on her face. On the flip side, as the old witch she always had this wicked smile, she was loud, cackling, frightening, and was enjoying every second of what she was doing. There’s something thematically rich about her being happiest in the form that best reflects what she is, versus her more joyless persona in the form she was aiming to be. With two different portrayals of evil from one character, it made her all the more fun to watch, and a great first villain in a long line-up of classic animated rouges. She also set a number of standards for villains moving forward, including an outfit comprised of purple and black colors, and a transition scene that focuses on her eyes, while everything else fades to black.
Finally, we have Princess Snow White herself, who will always be special, as she was the first in a long line-up of now iconic animated Princesses, and has one of the most original looks and costume designs of the bunch.
That being said, her character is admittedly not on the same high bar as many of her successors. In fact, unlike most of the others, Snow White doesn’t really have a personal goal that’s driving the narrative. It’s mostly what she needs in the moment, whether it be finding a place to stay, or contributing to the Dwarfs. She mentions in passing that she wants her Prince to come, but that’s more of a side note, and not really what the story is structured around. The strengths of her character come from how lovable she is … infectiously so. Of all the Disney Princesses, Snow White is arguably the most child-like in personality and spirit, but she’s still mature enough to be a mother figure for the Dwarfs, knowing the values of keeping a house tidy, and washing before dinner. Her voice is something of an acquired taste, as it’s not exactly a lovely voice … but it’s unique, and compliments her personality. Quick side note … I love that she prays before going to bed, as that’s a detail we rarely get from these characters.
Another quality to the film that puts it above my feelings for future animated princess films is its occasional spooky content and imagery. Despite being an escape during frighting times, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” still contains some of the best spooky visuals and creepy moments from any animated family film.
On that note, I always find myself forgetting how much I like the music in this film, although I like them more for the sequences than the songs themselves. The Dwarfs “Silly Yodel Song” isn’t one of the great Disney song numbers, but it easily makes for one of the most fun and rewatchable segments of the film. The big “Whistle While You Work” number is good, but I like it more as an expression of turning mundane choirs into something positive and upbeat … I think “Mary Poppins” took some inspiration from this. Snow Whites “Some Day my Prince Will Come” is probably the most decorated song of the film, and had a solid cover by Barbra Streisand decades later. Even the orchestral score is quiet uplifting, and was nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Original Movie Score.
I will admit that the narrative isn’t as strong as the majority of Disney films to follow, and there are moments when the pacing can be a little off. When the Dwarfs have their goofy bath song, it’s a cheerful sequence on its own, but it is the moment when I feel things need to pick-up a little. Once we segue into the films third act, the movie really finds its footing, and delivers some of its best moments. We have the suspense of The Old Witch enticing the Princess with the poisoned apple, followed by the excitement of the Dwarfs chasing her down amidst a rainstorm, and the satisfaction of the villain's death as she plummets from a cliff side. Her scream would be reused in a number of animated Disney features down the road.
Snow Whites funeral scene absolutely holds-up as one of the most effective heart breaking moments, not just because we lost our Princess, but because it brings the biggest emotional response out of Grumpy, which always got to me when I was a kid. It’s also a nice lengthy scene that forces kids to sit in this melancholy moment, and even for the characters, it’s something that lasts for years, and doesn’t get resolved right away.
Because of this, I feel the movie earns its triumphant happy ending with Snow White being reawakened, everyone celebrating, while she and her nameless prince ride off to their castle in the sky. Obviously, this ending is another moment that’s had mixed revaluations over the years, and is considered by many to be the weakest part of the film … at least from a narrative perspective, which is true, but I wouldn’t say it’s devoid of emotional resonance. In comparison to the following “Sleeping Beauty”, I didn’t care for the princess, didn’t feel the impact of her loss, didn’t feel any satisfaction in her return, and saw it for the dated product that it was. While the faults are obvious in Snow Whites ending, I still felt the emotion, both from Snow Whites loss, and her return, so I feel it still works.
Like I said in the opening, whether you like the film or not, it’s still one of the great milestones in early film, and set the standard for theatrical animated pictures for decades to come. Walt Disney won an Honorary Academy Award for his achievement on Snow White, and it’s been preserved as culturally significant.
For me, you couldn’t ask for a more wholesome and innocent family film than “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, as it’s such a timeless treasure that no family should be without. For many kids, it was one of the very first animated movies they ever saw, and thus one of the most nostalgic movies ever made. Warm memories aside, the film still works as a blissful little escape, and leaves me feeling rejuvenated every time. The songs are still charming, the characters are unforgettable, and the storytelling is light as air, which makes this one of the most simplistic, yet magical experiences you could ask for … and that’s good enough for me. While I wouldn’t call this my all-time favorite animated Disney offering, it is still personally my favorite movie to come from Walt Disney himself during his lifetime.
Thanks for
reading my review of Disney's 1937 animated classic “Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!
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