Snow White: An illuminating Analysis

Snow White and the seven dwarfs being the first full-length animated film was revolutionary in the sphere of animation and film technology in general. Being first released in 1937, it has been investigated by many scholars with regards to the themes portrayed in the film as well as how it pioneered the animated film landscape, we all know and love.

Snow White and the dwarfs is considered in the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time when adjusted for inflation having grossed about 418 million dollars since it was released. This shows how far-reaching the film was and how many members of the public have watched the film and how many opinions there are in the world regarding it. 

As for me, I am here to enlighten and my first area to cover is how the film was received in the 1930s. While making the film, Walt Disney gave his all to ensure the film was at its best when it was released. He went over his budget, having to spend about 1.5 million dollars to make the film which was a huge amount of money in the 1930s. Walt Disney received some degree of criticism about whether adults could sit through a full-length animated feature film, even from his wife, Lillian. When it broke screens, however, it did not disappoint the audience for which it was intended. When it first premiered in December 1937 in Hollywood, it received a standing ovation from the crowd. 

Critics at the time were in admiration for the film and some of the notable people who attended the premiere such as Charlie Chaplin told L. A Times that the film, “even surpassed our expectations. The film got critical acclaim due to its revolutionary technology and less due to the subject matter and the themes the film portrayed. This can be evidenced by Disney winning an honorary Academy Award for his achievement in the realm of animation. This demonstrates the wide acceptance the film received when it was released and how many of its viewers enjoyed it. 

Snow White was released during one of the worst economic times in the 20th century, the Great Depression Era. It is therefore vital to examine whether the film was influenced in some way by the era it was developed and produced. On the whole, Snow White acted as a break, a relief from the stress, anxiety and devastation that came with the Great Depression. An online post titled "Messages of Disney" cites that it was, “a light in a time full of darkness.” When considering the thematic concerns, it is clear that the film models the ideal woman of that era. During the time of the Great Depression, many men had lost their jobs and the role men played as providers diminished as a result. Snow White, however, reasserted that role, depicting the dwarfs working in the mine while Snow White was at the dwarfs’ house cleaning and tidying up. This also showcased the gender roles that were in play at the time that the film propagated such as the idea of women only possessing domestic skills when Snow White is instructed by the dwarfs to clean and cook to be able to stay at their house. Consequently, the film motivated the restoration of male dominance.

It is obvious that the opinions of critics have evolved over time and now more and more scholars are now focusing on the fine details regarding character portrayal and gender roles. Scholars are now examining how women were portrayed in the film either by the manner in which Snow White was depicted as being skilled in domestic duties while also being depicted as gullible and naïve after being tricked by the Evil Queen. It is also clear that women were portrayed as having their happiness dependent on acquiring love as showcased by the kiss by the prince and the idea that Snow White lived happily ever after with the Prince. Women are also labelled as self-absorbed and heavily attached to their appearances as demonstrated by the fact that The Evil Queen resented Snow White solely because she was the fairest in the land.

Overall, Snow White holds a special place in the hearts of many Disney fans and paved the way for the blossoming of the animated film scene.