I am so excited to start the project with this movie! I love Disney history and so Snow White has always had a special place in my heart as the first Disney full-length feature. For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.
Update: In February 2022, I started a video version of the DFP on Tiktok. You can find the video below. Thoughts expressed in the video may be different than what are expressed in the blog post, due to the time difference in posting.
A Brief Summary
Snow White is a young princess living under the cruel rule of her step-mother, the Queen. After her beauty pushes the Queen’s jealousy to order her death, she escapes into the forest and stumbles across an adorable cottage – the home of seven friendly dwarfs! When the Queen realizes that Snow White is still alive, she disguises herself to go and finish the job herself. Includes an animal cleaning service, poisoned apples, and true love’s kiss.
What works
- the opening of the storybook and the turning of a couple of pages, providing the overall film with the illusion of a storybook tale
- the fact that the first actual character (non-story page) that we meet is not Snow White but the villain, the Evil Queen which gives an immediate understanding of the danger Snow White is going to be facing.
- the box the Queen gives the Huntsman to ensure he goes through the murder.
- the journey through the woods because it is dark, scary and exactly how I would react or imagine the surroundings if I was trying to make my way through woods after having someone almost kill me.
- the songs aren’t just randomly placed, they actually make sense and help speed up the action (the main positive note from the prince’s encounter)
- Snow White has pretty solid motivation for the decisions she makes in the movie (other than the apple, but I’d eat that delicious looking wishing apple myself, so no fault there). She’s clearly one of the more thought out characters of the film. She has a good attitude, knows how to work hard and is kind to everyone
- Each dwarf has an individual personality, quirks, and voice (including Dopey haha) that makes them recognizable on their own
- The movie moves pretty quickly without really straying from the main story too much. I think the main portion of the film could take place in 3 days and then skips months ahead to a single day in the springtime.
- The Evil Queen’s dedication to keeping her fingers ‘clean’ from killing Snow White by creating one of the best/scariest disguises ever.
What may or may not Work
- the arrival of the prince, which does let Snow meet him (so she’s not surprised when he arrives at the end of the film) BUT other than the song, the prince shows little in substance.
Honorable Mentions
- the dialogue: Snow White’s sassy comment “Oh you can talk, I’m so glad!” in response to Grumpy’s “How do you do what?” upon first meeting.
Side Questions
- why do the animals try to scare away the dwarfs? Do they not know that it’s their house?
- Is the Huntsman off the hook for disobeying the Queen? In other versions, he’s punished. In this, it comes off as if AFTER the Queen kills Snow White, she’ll punish the Huntsman.
- Why did they not clean upstairs? If I wanted someone to let me stay (and I’m cleaning their house for them), I’d clean the WHOLE house, not just the main floor.
- Who would win at oldest features, the old hag or Yzma?
- She basically kisses and tells, so how much interaction did she have with the prince in the beginning that the audience doesn’t see? Unless she’s talking about the romantic song he sang for her…
What I learned from watching
- This is a solid film. It has a protagonist, the antagonist, conflict, I could probably start bringing up the different parts of the Hero’s Journey and match them to Snow White. While there are some minor flaws in character development (I’m looking at you, Prince), the characters are still recognizable and the timing of the film is on point.
- Having read the original Grimm Brothers’ version, this is a successful, positive adaptation of the story.
- The little details/songs really add to this film. My favorite scene overall (not including the Dwarfs’ Silly Song) is the Evil Queen’s transformation scene. Watching her adding the different ingredients, knowing she HAS the different ingredients, makes her into more of a threat than if she had just paid someone else to transform her. Scariest scene: When Snow White finishes making the pie and looks up and oh my gosh, there’s a scary looking Hag.
- I really like that Snow White’s downfall was her kindness. Rather than remembering the dwarfs’ advice, she was worried about the poor old granny who was being attacked by birds (who were trying to protect Snow). Or I should say, I really liked that the Queen manipulated Snow’s kindness to take her down
- The brief words during the ‘snowfall’ were really helpful, in speeding up to the end of the movie, providing context for the time in between and calling back to the storybook theme from the beginning of the movie.
If you’ve seen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, what did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Rewind to the beginning of the Disney Film Project
Fast Forward to the next film with Pinocchio
So much thought into this movie. These are questions that I never thought of.
How interesting! My daughter used to love this movie. When she was tiny, she just thought it was hilarious.
I love the movie Snow White. I thought that it was a beautiful film that took much work too complete.
I haven’t seen this movie in so, so long! It isn’t one of the best but it’s certainly a classic.
I have not seen snow white and the seven Dwarfs and would love to. I am excited about the fact that Snow White’s downfall was her kindness, and that she was worried about the poor old granny.
Gosh it has been SO LONG since I’ve seen this movie. I’ll need to check it out again! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
It is interesting to see the movie from someone else’s point of view. As a child, my daughter had the house, snow white and the 7 dwarfs. I actually still have 6 dwarfs hanging out in the living room because we can’t find the 7th.
My favorite part of Snow White was always the Dwarfs. They were so engaging and entertaining. I’ve always been partial to Dopey.
To be honest, I think I’ve seen this movie once, as a child. I can’t believe I barely remember it!! My 3 kids are very into The Descendants movies (which I love too) so I think it’d be fun to see this original Snow White movie now, to see some of the Descendants’ characters moms way back when LOL!
My friends swears the Grimm Brothers version is THE BEST! I can’t wait to learn more about this one.
OMG I could not agree more with you. What a thoughtful review, Thanks for sharing!
I remember this movie from my childhood. Of course, I was too young to have put this much thought into it. I loved reading your commentary, questions, and take on the movie!
After reading this, now I feel like I need to watch the movie again to see all of your points. I haven’t watched this movie in about 25 years.
I don’t think I’ve seen many positive reviews of Snow White from contemporary sources. I really agree with the reasons you like the film, too. Snow White really is a nice character, and it’s interesting to see how you analyzed both the positives and negatives of that trait.
I will be honest, I know the story of course but I’ve never seen the movie, you got me so excited to watch it, will do this weekend.
I loved Snow White! But then again, I love all the Disney classics!!
I haven’t seen this movie yet. But, I reaaaaaaally want to see this. I might go back to your review later on…
I love that movie. However, I feel I need to watch it again in a new light now
One of my favorite disney character. And wow, this movie has been out for so long and I didn’t have the chance to see it, glad you made a review about it.
We usually watch diffferent movies without thinking of the message it has for us in store. These are some very valuable thoughts! I need to watch this movie at the weekend! 🙂
I just realized that, despite the fact that I know the story, I’ve never watched this movie! It is interesting to see you putting so much thought about the film.
It’s not one of my favourites personally but it’s still a lovely movie. Watching it now as an adult I’m reminded of just how dark it was!
I didn’t realize how old this movie is! I’d love to watch it again, its been a long time!
I’ve a confession to make; I’ve never actually seen the 1937 version! I’m going to watch it now and look at your questions for after.
I love your side questions! I loved this moving growing up, but I haven’t watched it as an adult. I have no idea if I would think it was good or not. Regardless, it is a classic!
Snow White is one of the movies that I love. I never thought of some of the points you raised here in your review.
One of my all-time favorite Disney Movies although I haven’t watched it with my kids yet. I wanted to wait until they are a little older. Hopefully, soon we can watch it together.
as I recall Snow White is one of the favorite fairy tales from years ago. The thought and mindset of many during that time were different than the times of today. I can see your points but still believe it to be a favorite to be in the future as well