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Each year, Disney seems to dominate the box office, with fans of all ages racing to see everything from animated movies to Marvel superhero adventures to the latest Star Wars movie. But while the studio’s new movies are definitely exciting to watch, it’s nice to return to Disney’s roots from time to time—to get reacquainted with the movie (and the princess) who started it all.
Originally released in 1937, Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first-ever full-length animated film. But, even though Disney’s first princess is now more than 70 years old, she’s still as fair as ever.
Ever since she was just a young girl, Princess Snow White was forced to dress in rags, to keep her from looking more beautiful than her wicked stepmother, the queen. Each day, the queen would consult her magic mirror—and as long as she was still the fairest in the land, Snow White was safe.
One day, though, Snow White surpasses the queen in beauty—so the queen orders a huntsman to kill the young princess. Instead, he warns her of the queen’s plan and sends her running into the forest. The woodland creatures then bring her to a tiny cabin in the woods—the home of seven tiny miners, who agree to take her in. But it isn’t long before the queen learns of the huntsman’s betrayal—and she heads into the forest to get rid of Snow White, once and for all.
Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs truly is a timeless classic—a beloved (and beautiful) fairy tale, filled with delightful characters and memorable songs, as well as one of the most terrifying villains in Disney history.
With her child-like voice, her big, expressive eyes, and her girlish dreams of her happily-ever-after, sweet, naïve Snow White became the model for the Disney princess—a favorite among girls of all ages for more than 70 years.
For me, though, Snow White is more about the other characters—like the murderously jealous stepmother, who disguises herself as a harmless old woman and conjures up that sinister apple. Or the delightful band of dwarfs, with silly names that match their colorful personalities.
Then again, it’s also about the unforgettable songs—from the fun and upbeat “Heigh-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work” to the dreamy “Some Day My Prince Will Come.” They’re the kind of sing-along-worthy songs that stay with you for years—and that reemerge from the back of your memory time and time again, when you least expect them.
Of course, Snow White is also beautifully animated—with its charming characters, its cuddly woodland creatures, and its remarkable attention to detail. And now that the film has been digitally remastered, Snow White is even brighter and more beautiful than she has been in years.
So if it’s been a while since you last spent time with Disney’s original princess, now’s a great time to get reacquainted—and to introduce a whole new generation to a beloved Disney classic.
Digital Review:
With each emergence outside the infamous Vault, Disney’s first animated film becomes more crisp and beautiful—and each release adds more and more extras. The new Signature Collection release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs now comes with a digital HD copy of the film—and a whole lot of new extras, which you can access from your Disney Movies Anywhere account.
Extras include Iconography, which discusses the film’s influence on today’s pop culture while three different artists use LEGO bricks, fashion, and paper to offer their own take on Snow White’s iconic style. And @DisneyAnimation: Designing Disney’s First Princess discusses the animation, its influences, and how Snow White differs from today’s leading ladies.
Younger fans will enjoy updated extras like Snow White in 70 Seconds—a rap version of the story—and The Fairest Facts of Them All, in which Descendants star Sofia Carson provides some fascinating facts about the film and its production.
Or, if you’re in the mood for more historical extras, the Archives section offers a look at the early days of Disney animation—from tours of Disney’s Hyperion Studios to Walt’s take on his first full-length film. This section is loaded with stills and old cartoons and interviews and other archive footage—more than enough to thrill any animation history buff.
So whether you’re young or old, whether you’re lounging in your living room or toting your tablet, the new Signature Collection release of Snow White offers crisp animation, a timeless tale, and some eye-opening extras. It’s certainly the film’s fairest release yet.
Blu-ray Review:
The Diamond Edition combo pack of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs includes three discs: one DVD and two Blu-ray discs. While the DVD includes just the basics—along with a commentary track, a new music video, and a six-minute sneak peek at the upcoming release, The Princess and the Frog—the Blu-ray discs, on the other hand, include hours of fascinating extras.
On the main feature disc, Backstage Disney features include two deleted scenes and a look at the storyboards of what appears to be a shelved Snow White sequel. There are also four Snow White games, including Mirror, Mirror On the Wall, which reveals your inner princess (I, apparently, am most like Cinderella), and Jewel Jumble, a tricky, Tetris-like jewel-dropping game.
On the second Blu-ray disc, you’ll find more features on the early days of Disney. An interactive feature even allows you to explore Hyperion Studios, where Snow White was made. You can listen to stories and interviews and reenactments of storyboard discussions with Walt himself.
And, finally, in addition to the new features, the second Blu-ray disc also includes a selection of classic bonus features from earlier DVD releases, including games and sing-alongs, along with an interesting look at Disney’s history in Disney Through the Decades.
Although the special features don’t offer a whole lot for younger viewers (other than a few minutes’ entertainment while playing a game or two), this Diamond Edition is packed with worthwhile extras for grown-up Disney fans. The creepy Magic Mirror menus will have you racing to make your next selection, but you’ll definitely want to take some time to explore this feature-filled release.
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