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Credit: DisneyDisney’s original Snow White is facing backlash from multiple sides, and the upcoming live-action version is only adding fuel to the fire.
When Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) premiered, it revolutionized the world of animation and established Walt Disney as a pioneering force in cinema.
This groundbreaking film was the first full-length animated feature produced by Disney and the first-ever feature-length cel-animated film in motion picture history. Its creation involved the laborious process of hand-drawing thousands of frames, a monumental task that required the dedication and creativity of Disney’s talented team of animators.
The film was a technical marvel for its time, introducing advanced techniques such as the multi-plane camera, which created a sense of depth in animated scenes. This innovation allowed Disney to craft a visually stunning narrative that captivated audiences with its rich detail and vibrant colors. The musical score, featuring iconic songs like “Heigh-Ho” and “Someday My Prince Will Come,” became timeless classics, further cementing the film’s legacy.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was also significant for its emotional storytelling. It brought to life the enchanting tale of a young princess who overcomes adversity with the help of her seven dwarf friends and the magic of true love’s kiss. The film’s success laid the foundation for Disney’s future animated features, setting a high standard for storytelling, animation quality, and character development.
However, despite Snow White’s monumental impact, it’s worth noting that she wasn’t actually Disney’s first princess. Before the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney experimented with a character named Persephone in the short film The Goddess of Spring (1934).
Persephone, based on the Greek goddess, was created to test the animators’ skills in drawing realistic human characters. This short film served as a precursor to Snow White, allowing Disney’s team to refine their techniques before tackling a full-length feature.
Disney’s Snow White faces censorship despite historical run
Despite the historical significance of Snow White, the film has faced calls for censorship in recent years. Critics argue that certain elements, such as the portrayal of the dwarfs and the depiction of gender roles, are “outdated and insensitive” by modern standards.
Books based on Snow White have actually been banned from certain schools because of their depictions. In 2016, a school in Qatar banned a book that was based on the 1937 classic, saying that it contained “culturally inappropriate” images.
“The school took immediate action and removed the book from the library and has revised and enforced the procedures to ensure that this type of incident will not happen again,” a statement read. “SEK International School Qatar is proud to be established in this country and presents its formal apologies for any offence that this unintended situation may have caused.”
Since then, calls for censorship have only grown. Many fans have called for Disney to put a warning label on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Disney+, which has been added to several classic Disney films before the movies begin, but that hasn’t occurred just yet.
For example, Kazue Muta, a Japanese sociology professor, accused Snow White of promoting “quasi-compulsive obscene sexual acts on an unconscious partner,” the New York Post reported.
“You might think I’m ruining the fantasy of it all, but these stories are promoting sexual violence, and I would like everyone to be aware of it,” she said.
Adding to the ongoing debate, Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Snow White, set for release in 2025, has sparked significant controversy. Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film aims to reimagine the classic story for a contemporary audience. However, this modern retelling has not been without its challenges.
One major point of contention has been the casting of Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, as Snow White. Some critics have objected to this casting choice, arguing that it deviates from the original depiction of the character.
In addition, Zegler was quick to throw the 1937 original under the bus, though she has changed her tone as of late following Disney’s decision to postpone the film a full year.
Another significant issue has been the portrayal of the dwarfs in the live-action adaptation. Emmy-winning actor Peter Dinklage, who has been a vocal advocate for better representation of actors with dwarfism, criticized the film for perpetuating outdated stereotypes. Disney responded by reimagining the dwarfs as magical creatures, a decision that has received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.
However, other members of the dwarf community took exception to Dinklage’s comments, including WWE and Muppets alum Dylan Postl.
“I forgot that Snow White and the seven dwarves was based on real life just like that HBO show with the dragons that made a certain “soapbox dwarf” rich was. Anyone know who I need to get ahold of for the casting of this Snow White reboot?”
In other comments, Postl called out Dinklage for taking away jobs for dwarf actors who “can’t get normal acting roles.”
“It makes me so sick to my stomach to think that there are seven roles for dwarfs that can’t get normal acting roles, or very few and far between roles, and now they are gone because of this guy,” he said. “Peter Dinklage is the biggest dwarf actor probably of all time but it doesn’t make him king dwarf.”
He’s not the only one to speak up against Dinklage, either.
The upcoming film has also faced scrutiny over its use of CGI. Early promotional images revealed heavy reliance on digital effects, which some fans fear might detract from the film’s charm and authenticity. Rachel Zegler herself has expressed concerns about the technical aspects of the film, acknowledging the challenges of performing alongside CGI characters.
Additionally, the adaptation plans to introduce changes to key elements of the original story, such as the iconic poison apple scene. These modifications have been met with resistance from purists who believe that the timeless tale should remain untouched. The backlash highlights the delicate balance Disney must strike between honoring the original film and making it relevant for modern audiences.
As the release date of the live-action Snow White approaches, it remains to be seen how audiences will receive this updated version of a classic.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) can be streamed on Disney+.