Home » Film & TV » Animated Films » Disney returns to its first feature

Disney returns to its first feature

© M. Fernandez Locklin

Obviously, as a movie moment, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is a milestone. It is the first in a long line of groundbreaking undertakings. The interaction between some of the characters is fun and enjoyable. This new DVD and its many offerings, including Dopey's Mine Game, which tests viewers' comprehension of the film, is amazing. But all this takes away from the fact that this is not a movie for small children.

I believe this movie is too dark and spends too little time on the fun things, like Snow White's friendship with the dwarfs. The characters and their relationships are not as well-developed as I would like. That is my main problem with "Snow White" -- I expect it to be as sophisticated as movies of today. But that's not why it's special to the rest of the world. When this movie first came out in 1937, it was sophisticated and imaginative.

The pressures on children of 1937 were different than the pressures on children of the 21st century. The children of the 1930's, who were caught in the American depression, had different needs and expectations. The children of today have to deal with divorce and terrorism. Always, however, the Disney magic is able to supersede imagined obstacles. Now, as then, children are attracted to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". That's what makes this movie as much a classic today as it was when it was first released in 1937.

If "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" were to be remade today, the changes would be minimal. The elements used in today's movies were available then, but the focus is different. Today we might put a little more focus on Snow White's relationship with the dwarfs and the animals in order to soften the blow of the death threats.

You may decide to show this movie to your kids, as I did, because of the rich history it has, but be prepared in case your children are as sensitive as I was when I first saw this film. I was surprised by the response from my offspring, though.

Days after watching the movie, my kids have yet to have a nightmare. And despite my misgivings about this classic film, my sons managed to show me the enduring qualities of many offerings from the House the Mouse Built. When the movie was finished, and before they got to sample the DVD game, my eldest turned to me and said, in all sincerity and without prompting,