Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Disney’s Groundbreaking Animated Masterpiece

Released in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is not only a cornerstone of animation history but also one of the most beloved films of all time. As Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature film, it revolutionised the animation industry and cemented Disney's place in the cultural pantheon. With its timeless fairy-tale charm, vibrant animation, memorable characters, and groundbreaking technical achievements, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remains a touchstone of cinematic history that has influenced generations of filmmakers, animators, and audiences alike.

Drawing on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Snow White was a bold experiment that transformed the animation industry. Prior to Snow White, animated films were typically short subjects, and the concept of a feature-length animated film was considered both a risky and ambitious endeavour. Yet, Walt Disney’s vision and determination to create a film that would showcase the potential of animation as a powerful storytelling tool proved to be an immense success, both critically and commercially.

Plot Overview: A Classic Fairy Tale

The story of Snow White follows the life of a beautiful princess who is mistreated by her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen, who is consumed with jealousy over Snow White's beauty. The Queen's obsession with being the "fairest of them all" leads her to consult her magic mirror, which eventually tells her that Snow White has surpassed her in beauty. Enraged, the Queen orders the huntsman to take Snow White into the forest and kill her. However, unable to carry out the cruel order, the huntsman lets Snow White go, and she finds refuge in the home of seven friendly dwarfs.

The dwarfs—Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey—become Snow White’s protectors and friends. However, the Evil Queen learns that Snow White is still alive and devises a series of plans to kill her, culminating in a poisoned apple that sends Snow White into a deep sleep. It is only when a prince, who had fallen in love with Snow White, comes to her rescue and awakens her with a kiss, that the spell is broken, and the film concludes with a joyful reunion and the triumph of good over evil.

At its core, Snow White is a simple tale about the triumph of kindness, innocence, and love in the face of jealousy, evil, and hatred. However, it is the depth of character development, the artistry of the animation, and the intricacy of the film’s emotional undertones that elevate it beyond the ordinary fairy tale, making it an enduring classic.

Animation and Artistry: A Groundbreaking Achievement

The production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was an unprecedented feat of artistic innovation. At the time of its release, the idea of creating a full-length animated feature was an audacious gamble. But Walt Disney and his team of animators, including the legendary Art Babbitt and Frank Thomas, took that challenge and turned it into a groundbreaking achievement.

One of the most notable aspects of Snow White is the meticulous hand-drawn animation that gives the film its signature look. The characters and backgrounds are rendered with a remarkable level of detail and fluidity, especially considering the technical limitations of the time. Each frame of the film was carefully painted by hand, a painstaking process that required immense dedication and time. In total, the film consisted of over 250,000 individual drawings.

The backgrounds in Snow White are lush and richly detailed, with the forest, the dwarfs’ cottage, and the Evil Queen’s castle each contributing to the film’s atmosphere and narrative. The watercolour backgrounds, often featuring a soft, pastel palette, enhance the dreamlike, fairy-tale quality of the film while also providing a stark contrast to the darker, more ominous tones associated with the Evil Queen’s domain.

The animation of the characters also stands out. Snow White’s movements, in particular, are graceful and fluid, embodying her innocence and purity. The dwarfs are animated with distinct personalities, and each one’s character is conveyed through their physical actions and exaggerated features. The Evil Queen, in contrast, is drawn with sharp, angular lines that mirror her wickedness, and her transformation into the Old Hag is one of the most iconic moments in animation history. The sequence of the Queen’s transformation is a prime example of how animation can be used to convey a dramatic change in character, using visual techniques to intensify the emotional impact of the moment.

Beyond the characters, the film’s use of colour and light is innovative. The vivid reds and greens of the forest scenes help to evoke a sense of danger and mystery, while the bright colours of Snow White’s dress, and the golden tones of her skin, emphasise her purity and innocence. The careful use of shadows and lighting also helps to distinguish between the warmth and safety of Snow White’s home with the dwarfs and the foreboding atmosphere of the Evil Queen’s lair. These stylistic choices contribute to the film’s ability to evoke powerful emotions, setting it apart from other films of its era.

Music: The Power of Song

The musical score of Snow White is one of the key elements that gives the film its emotional depth and lasting appeal. The film features an unforgettable selection of songs, composed by Frank Churchill and Paul J. Smith, with lyrics by Larry Morey. The music is an integral part of the film, enhancing its mood and helping to define the characters.

The most iconic of the film's songs is "Someday My Prince Will Come," which Snow White sings as she dreams of a better life. This song has become synonymous with the film itself and has been covered by countless artists over the years. Its simple melody and poignant lyrics capture Snow White’s innocence and longing for a better life.

Other memorable songs include "Heigh-Ho," which the dwarfs sing as they march off to work in the mines, and "Whistle While You Work," which Snow White sings to motivate the animals and the dwarfs in their efforts to clean the cottage. These cheerful, catchy tunes are perfectly suited to the characters they accompany, and their upbeat nature provides a contrast to the darker moments of the film.

The film’s score, composed by Leigh Harline, is also highly effective in creating mood and building tension. The music swells during the more dramatic moments, such as when the Evil Queen is plotting her wicked schemes, or when Snow White is in danger. The music enhances the emotional stakes of the film, drawing the audience deeper into the story.

Characters: Depth, Humour, and Heart

The characters in Snow White are one of the film’s most endearing qualities. Though the story’s focus is clearly on Snow White herself, the supporting characters are equally important in making the film resonate with audiences.

Snow White (voiced by Adriana Caselotti) is the embodiment of innocence and purity. She is kind, loving, and optimistic, and her selfless nature is evident in her interactions with the dwarfs, the forest animals, and even the Evil Queen. Snow White’s naivety allows the audience to sympathize with her as she navigates the dangers that threaten her life. Though she may seem passive at times, Snow White’s resilience and goodness ultimately guide her through the darkest of times.

The seven dwarfs are some of the most beloved characters in animation history. Each dwarf has a distinct personality, from the grumpy Doc to the bashful Bashful and the always-sleepy Sleepy. Their personalities provide both comedic relief and warmth, making them perfect companions for Snow White. The dwarfs’ loyalty and affection for Snow White also serve as a powerful counterpoint to the maliciousness of the Evil Queen, and their devotion to protecting her is one of the film’s most heartwarming elements.

The Evil Queen, voiced by Lucille La Verne, is a classic villain in the Disney pantheon. Her transformation into the Old Hag is one of the most memorable sequences in animated film history, and her menacing presence throughout the film is terrifying in its own right. The Queen’s jealousy and obsession with beauty make her one of Disney’s most iconic antagonists, and her ultimate demise provides a satisfying sense of justice.

Cultural and Cinematic Impact

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs not only revolutionised animation but also set the stage for the future of animated film making. The success of Snow White proved that animated films could be just as engaging and emotionally powerful as live-action films. It also marked the beginning of Walt Disney’s ambitious expansion into full-length animated features, eventually leading to the creation of the Disney empire.

The film’s innovative techniques—such as the use of multi-plane cameras to create depth, the development of synchronised sound and colour, and the blending of traditional hand-drawn animation with new visual techniques—made it a landmark achievement in the history of cinema. It is often credited with inspiring a wave of animated feature films that followed in its wake, both from Disney and other studios.

The film also holds cultural significance, being one of the most widely recognised and beloved animated films in the world. It has been re-released in theatres multiple times over the years, and its characters and songs have permeated popular culture. Snow White is considered a timeless classic that transcends generations, maintaining a deep emotional connection with audiences young and old.

Conclusion: A Timeless Classic

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a monumental achievement in the history of animation and cinema as a whole. Walt Disney’s bold vision, combined with the incredible artistry of his team, resulted in a film that continues to captivate audiences even decades after its release. The film’s combination of stunning animation, memorable characters, enchanting music, and timeless themes has solidified its place as one of the greatest films ever made.

It is a movie that transcends the boundaries of animation and speaks to the universal themes of good versus evil, love, and hope. Whether watched by children discovering the magic of Disney for the first time, or by adults revisiting a beloved classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remains as relevant and magical today as it was when it first graced the screen in 1937.