Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Productions (now Walt Disney Animation Studios) and released on December 21, 1937. Directed by David Hand and based on the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, this film holds the distinction of being the first full-length cel-animated feature film in history. Its groundbreaking animation techniques, captivating storytelling, and memorable characters established Walt Disney as a pioneer in the film industry and cemented the studio’s position at the forefront of animated entertainment.

Overview

Title: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Release Date: December 21, 1937
Director: David Hand
Producer: Walt Disney
Music: Frank Churchill, Leigh Harline
Runtime: 83 minutes
Studio: Walt Disney Productions
Language: English
Box Office: Grossed over $418 million (equivalent to over $8 billion in 2020 dollars when adjusted for inflation), making it one of the highest-grossing films of its time.

The film tells the story of Snow White, a kind-hearted princess who befriends seven dwarfs and escapes the jealousy of her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen.

Plot Summary

The story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a classic fairy tale about a young princess, Snow White, who is forced to flee from her stepmother, the Evil Queen, after being declared the "fairest of them all." The Queen, jealous of Snow White’s beauty, orders her death, but Snow White escapes into the forest, where she befriends seven dwarfs who live in a small cottage.

The Evil Queen, in her rage, disguises herself as an old peddler woman and tricks Snow White into eating a poisoned apple. Snow White falls into a deep sleep, from which she can only be awakened by true love’s kiss. The prince, Snow White’s true love, finds her and awakens her, leading to a happy ending.

Production

Early Development

Walt Disney's Vision: Walt Disney’s ambition to create a feature-length animated film was met with skepticism. At the time, animated films were typically short subjects, and the idea of a full-length animation seemed impossible.
Story and Characters: The script was based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Snow White, though some changes were made to adapt it for the screen. Disney also added more personality and backstory to many of the characters, particularly the seven dwarfs.

Animation Techniques

Innovative Animation: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs utilized the then-novel technique of cel animation, where individual frames were hand-drawn and painted on transparent sheets (cels) and photographed in sequence.
Technological Innovations: Disney and his team developed new techniques like the multi-plane camera, which allowed for a more dynamic sense of depth by layering backgrounds and moving them at different speeds.

The Dwarfs’ Personality

Each of the seven dwarfs—Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey—was carefully crafted with distinct personalities to add humor and depth to the story. These characters quickly became beloved, contributing to the film’s charm.

Impact and Reception

Groundbreaking Achievement

Critical Success: Upon release, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs received widespread critical acclaim for its artistic and technical achievements.
Box Office Triumph: The film was a major financial success, grossing over $8 million in its initial run, which was an enormous sum for the time and far exceeded expectations.
Oscar Recognition: Snow White was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 1939, with Walt Disney receiving one full-size Oscar statuette and seven miniature statuettes for the dwarfs. The recognition was a testament to the groundbreaking nature of the film.

Cultural Influence

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became a cultural touchstone, influencing countless other films and establishing animation as a mainstream form of entertainment.
The film’s iconic scenes, such as Snow White’s dance with the animals and the Evil Queen’s transformation into an old hag, have remained memorable in popular culture.

Animation Innovations

Multi-Plane Camera: This technique, developed by Disney and used extensively in Snow White, allowed for a three-dimensional sense of depth in a two-dimensional space. It was achieved by placing layers of artwork on different levels of glass and moving them at varying speeds to simulate depth.
Character Animation: For the first time, the animation of the characters, particularly the dwarfs, included more naturalistic and expressive movements. The animators closely studied human behavior to create more realistic animation.
Technicolor: Snow White was one of the first films to be created using the Technicolor process, which provided the rich, vibrant colors that became a hallmark of Disney’s animated features.

Music and Songs

The film’s music plays a key role in its emotional impact, with memorable songs such as:

"Someday My Prince Will Come": Snow White’s song expressing hope for her prince.
"Heigh-Ho": The dwarfs’ cheerful song as they march to work.
"Whistle While You Work": Snow White’s song as she tidies the dwarfs' cottage.

The songs were composed by Frank Churchill and Leigh Harline, and many of them became iconic, further cementing the film’s lasting cultural significance.

Legacy

Establishing the Disney Brand

First Full-Length Animated Film: Snow White was not only a technical achievement but also a commercial success that helped establish Walt Disney Studios as a leader in the animation industry.
Franchise Legacy: The success of Snow White paved the way for other animated films like Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), and Cinderella (1950), which expanded Disney’s portfolio of beloved animated features.
Theme Parks and Merchandise: Snow White’s popularity led to theme park attractions, merchandise, and adaptations in various media, further embedding the film in Disney’s cultural fabric.

Preservation and Recognition

National Film Registry: In 1989, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress due to its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
Ongoing Influence: The film’s influence continues to be seen in modern animation, inspiring generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remains a cornerstone of animated filmmaking, demonstrating the power of animation to tell compelling, emotional stories. Through its pioneering animation techniques, memorable characters, and timeless music, the film has secured its place as a beloved classic and continues to influence both animated and live-action films today.