Disney’s first
full-length animated feature is nothing short of masterful. It’s so good that
it’s hard to believe this was the beginning—the film that paved the way for The
Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, and more. The movie boasts a
score that you’ll love and come to respect. Disney’s debut was so strong that
you have to tip your hat to Walt Disney’s vision. It showcases the depth of
imagination that has become the studio’s trademark, and nothing beats the charm
of the seven dwarfs and their distinct personalities. Each of them brings
something unique to the story, making them some of the most memorable
supporting characters in animation.
The film’s foundation is based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, but Disney’s twist—especially the seven dwarfs—became the most memorable aspect of the story. The dwarfs weren’t just side characters; they added humour, heart, and personality, making the film even more engaging.
The plot is about a kind-hearted princess named Snow White who is hunted by her jealous stepmother, the Queen, who uses a magic mirror to rate her beauty across the land with the other females. The Queen became envious of Snow White’s beauty and orders her death, but the huntsman spares her and Snow White finds refuge with seven dwarfs living in the words, the dwarfs were named, Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey.
The Queen finds out about the huntsman's deceit and still wanting to be the most beautiful, starts to plot how to find and kill Snow White.
As much as the film is magical, it can come off a bit simple, the plot has no depth in it, and the whole love at first kiss had no emotional connection linked, which made it look like just a dream. The voice casting is basic for the taller folks, but really very distinctive for the seven dwarfs.
Below are details on the movie's production if you care to read further.
Before Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney had been producing animated shorts in the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies series. This was their first full-length cel-animated feature—and the first in motion picture history. To cover the massive production costs, which exceeded $1 million (a huge sum for any movie in 1937), Disney had to mortgage his house. At the time, the idea of a feature-length cartoon was unheard of, and many believed audiences wouldn’t sit through one.
At the time,
many saw Disney’s gamble as foolish and tried to talk him out of it. But after
the movie’s first screening, not only did he receive a 10-minute standing
ovation, but he was also awarded a full-size Oscar statuette along with seven
miniature ones—presented by 10-year-old child star Shirley Temple. That alone
tells you how much of an impact this movie had.
The film has
received many notable accolades over the years. It ranks 34th on AFI’s 100
Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) and was named the greatest
animated film of all time in AFI’s 10 Top 10 animated films. Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs was such a financial success that it funded the construction of
Disney’s studio and provided enough revenue to produce two more animated
classics: Pinocchio and Fantasia.
Snow White wasn’t just a celebrated attempt at something different—it was a genuinely great film. And even today, it’s still a joy to watch. It’s the kind of movie that proves good storytelling, no matter how old, never loses its magic.
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