SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS BLU-RAY REVIEW
|
|
By Ron Henriques on
October 16, 2009
|
|
|
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
2 DISC BLU-RAY & 1 DISC DVD
WALT DISNEY HOME ENTERTAINMENT
1937/Rated G/84 mins
Now Available – List Price $39.98
It's interesting that for a seventy-plus year old movie, Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' has held up so well. I'm not just talking the look and sound of the film, which are still beautiful, despite the recent facelift. But in today's day and age, the story and the fashion in which it unfolds using Disney's trademark animation style is still sweet, innocent and captivating. For the initial feature film to be produced by his studio and the first feature length animated movie of it's kind, Disney chose the Brother's Grimm fairy tale of a sweet and innocent princess, forced to work as a scullery maid by her wicked stepmother the Queen who grew fearful and jealous of the girl's beauty. When the Queen learns from her Magic Mirror that Snow White has become the fairest in all the land, she orders her huntsman to take the girl into the woods and kill her, demanding he bring back the dead girl's heart in a jeweled box as proof. Unwilling to hurt Snow White, the huntsman spare's her life and urges her to flee into the woods, never to return, bringing back the heart of a pig instead.
The frightened girl soon befriends woodland creatures who lead her to a cottage deep in the woods. Making herself at home she soon discovers the cottage is the residence of seven dwarfs, Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey, who work in a nearby mine. Except for Grumpy, these men quickly warm to this mysterious girl living in the home who soon becomes their surrogate mother. When the Queen discovers that she is still not the fairest in the land due to the young girl being still alive, she devises a trap by using magic to disguise herself as an old hag and soon Snow White has a date with destiny and a mysterious poison apple.
Now in today's day and age, there are a few individuals with dirty minds ready to make jokes about a young girl living in the woods with seven men. Heck, that angle was even tried in the original 'Shrek', but Disney's landmark film was ahead of its time and had some rather mature subject matter for its day and age. Though the film's story differs in many aspects from the original Brother's Grimm tale, some gruesome details remain intact like the fact that the Queen specifically requests the huntsman to return with the girl's heart.
Before 'Snow White' Walt Disney had primarily been involved in the production of animated short subjects in the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies series. In an effort to expand his studio's prestige and revenues, Disney began production on 'Snow White' as a full length feature in 1934 with a budget of $250,00. In 1937 Disney was a fledgling studio and so the film was distributed by RKO Pictures, becoming a smash success and in time ranking number 49 on AFI's list of 100 greatest American films. Disney and his creative team had no idea they were making a film that would transcend all ages and resonate for decades. Yet time can be cruel to even the loveliest things.
Video: Despite holding up so well for so long 'Snow White' was produced on film which slowly deteriorates with time. On top of that, the print master for a feature can be worn down rather quickly when copies are duplicated every time the picture is re-released in theaters. 'Snow White' is one of those films that Disney ran in theaters numerous times over the decades before the advent of home video so naturally, the movie is not going to look as pristine as it did in 1937. Digital technology has the potential to not only preserve a movie like this, but in some cases actually save them.
The digital artists who have restored 'Snow White' in such painstaking detail have managed to reinvigorate this classic film on video with a 1080p AVC encoded transfer that is near reference quality. In addition to improving the color timing and removing scratches, blemishes and other small apparent damages on the film print, there's still the appearance of grain, which gives the presentation a natural look instead of seeming digital. The feature is presented pillar -boxed in its original 1.33 to 1 aspect ratio but for those who don't like black columns on the sides of the image, there's the Disney View option which replaces them with alternating paintings by artist Toby Bluth.
Audio: Though they've produced a 24-bit DTS HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, I was pleased that Disney showed some restraint for this mix. This is a seventy-two year old film that in no way should sound like 'Transformers' and although the original mono mix (available on a separate track) was well constructed for its time, this updated version is an immersive experience. In no way does this mix call attention to itself; artificial and distracting sound effects have not been added and the music is still allowed to tell much of the story. A rewarding treat indeed.
Extras: Film historian John Canemaker offers an insightful audio commentary that examines nearly every aspect of this film which may be the most influential animated picture ever made. His anecdotes are extremely fascinating as well as the information on Disney's revolutionary process.
Hyperion Studios is an interactive tour that goes even deeper into the creation of this film and contains a monumental wealth of material.
Hyperion Exterior: Where it All Began (HD, 12:00) an introduction to the studio and its history. The One that Started It All (HD, 17:00) a look at the history of Snow White and it's influence on the movie industry. Family Business (HD, 2:00 min) insight into Disney's philosophy and the inner workings of the studio.
Story Room: Stories from the Story Room (HD, 1:00 min) interviews with the story writers. Five Bucks a Gag (HD, 2:00 min) looks at Disney's early attempts to incorporate humor into the film by paying writers five bucks a gag. In Walt's Words: The Huntsman (HD, 3:00 min) a pre-production featurette where a discussion between Disney and his writers is re-enacted. Walt's Night Prowls (HD, 1:00 min) suggests Disney would dig through the trash of his animators at night to rescue many ideas. Gabby, Blabby, and Flabby (HD, 1:00 min) looks at the team's struggles to name the Dwarfs. Babes in the Woods (HD, 8:00 mins is an early Disney short based on the story of Hansel and Gretel. Storyboard Art Gallery contains over 135 images and Abandoned Concepts Gallery features about 63 images.
Music Room: Music Room Host (HD, 1:00 min) is an introduction to the Music Room and its workers' responsibilities. David Hand's Dirty Trick (HD, 1:00 min). The Music of Snow White (HD, 6:00 mins) is a look at the film's songs and score. The Skeleton Dance (HD, 6:00 mins) the first Silly Symphony Disney ever produced.
Art Department: Creating the World of Snow White (HD, 7:00 mins) covers the visual style and influences that went into designing the film's forests and castles. The Idea Man (HD, 2:00 mins) interview outtakes about artist Albert Hurter and his incredible designs. Music Land (HD, 10:00 mins) is a Silly Symphony featuring Hurter's style. In Walt's Words: Cleaning the Cottage (HD, 7:00 mins) another audio reenactment of a discussion between Walt and his team concerning the cottage cleaning scene with Snow White. Visual Development Gallery contains 146 images while Gustav Tenggren Art Gallery holds about 16 images.
Character Design: In Walt's Words: The Dwarfs (HD, 6:00 mins) story meeting reenactments. Character Design Gallery (5 images) and Color Tests Gallery (12 images).
Background and Layout: Setting the Stage (HD, 4:00 mins). Backgrounds Gallery (25 images) and a Layout Gallery (115 images).
Animation Department: Bringing Snow White to Life (HD, 12:00 mins). The Animators' Favorite Animators (HD, 2:00 mins) reveals several Snow White animators' favorite cohorts and colleagues. Blowing Off Steam (HD, 2:00 mins). Goddess of Spring (HD, 10:00 mins) another Silly Symphony. Playful Pluto (HD, 8:00 mins) an animated short. Animation Art Gallery (39 images)
Live Action Reference: Live Action Host (HD, 1:00 min) an introduction to live action reference with John Huster. Drawing on Real Life (HD 2:00 mins) how Disney used live actors as a basis for Snow White's animated performances. Giving Voice to Snow White (HD, 3:00 mins) the casting of voice actress Andriana Caselotti. Live Action Reference Gallery (26 images).
Sweatbox: Sweatbox Host (HD, 1:00 min) Eric Goldberg discusses Disney's screening of each stage of animation sometimes in a roomm called the Sweatbox. Sweating it Out (HD, 1:00 min) archive interviews about Walt's perfectionism. Deleted Bedroom Fight Scene (HD, 2:00 mins).
Ink and Paint: The Challenges of Ink and Paint (HD, 2:00 mins) introduces the women who put the finishing touches on the film's animation cells. Life in the Nunnery (HD, 2:00 mins) examines the separation between the animators and the painters & inkers. Flowers and Trees" (HD, 9:00 mins), another Silly Symphony short which was the first Technicolor cartoon and first to win an Oscar.
Camera Department: Decoding the Exposure Sheet (HD, 7:00 mins) a look at the use of exposure sheets to organize animated shots. Stories from the Camera Department (HD, 2:00 mins) archive interview outtakes about the photographic technology used in the film. The Old Mill (HD, 9:00 mins) a Silly Symphony where multi-plane camera process was first tested.
Sound Stage: Walt's Early Masters of Sound (HD, 2:00 mins) covers the film's sound effects design. Steamboat Willie (HD, 8:00 mins) is the first Disney cartoon that featured synchronized sound, available for the first time in high def.
Walt's Office: Working with Walt (HD, 2:00 mins) features interviews with Disney's Snow White team members about their boss and mentor. Publicity Gallery features 34 images and the Production Photos Gallery contains 21 images.
The One that Started It All (HD, 17:00 mins): Yet another retrospective
Classic DVD Bonus Content: Disney Through the Decades (SD, 36:00 mins) a promotional documentary about the studio's rise. Animation Voice Talent (SD, 6:00 mins) a look at Snow White voice actress Adriana Caselotti. Dopey's Wild Mine Ride: an interactive game and the karaoke feature Heigh Ho.
Snow White Returns (HD, 9:00 mins): The answers to why a sequel was never made. (Yet.)
Two Deleted Scenes (HD, 11:00 mins)which were cut from the film.
Family Play (HD, Disc 1): A collection of interactive games and activities such as "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall," "What Do You See," and a BD-Live activity called "Scene Stealer."
Music Video (HD, 4:00 mins): Tiffany Thorton's rendition of "Some Day My Prince Will Come."
The Princess and the Frog Sneak Peek (HD, 8:00 mins): An extended preview of Disney's upcoming animated feature, The Princess and the Frog.
Standard DVD Copy of the Film as well as BD-Live interactivity.
|
|
|
|
|
Tags: Disney, Blu-Ray, Animation, Animation, News |
|
|
|
|
