Plus or Minus is a series detailing and analyzing every feature film now streaming on Disney+. It combines the unique history all these films share, their cultural impacts, and their qualities, or lack thereof. From timeless classics, to acquired hits, to DCOMs, no stone will be left unturned.
It’s only fair to start Plus or Minus with the one that started it all. Long ago lived a young princess named Snow White, voiced by Adrianna Caselotti. The girl lived with her stepmother, The Queen, voiced by Lucille La Verne. The Queen was vain, cruel, and pure evil. Out of fear Snow White would become more beautiful than her, the Queen forced the child to become a scullery maid, so she could stay the fairest of them all forever. The plan was a success for a while, but one day, everything changes. After Snow White meets and falls in love with a handsome prince, voiced by Harry Stockwell. The Queen consults her Magic Mirror, asking whether she is still the fairest of them all. Alas, the mirror, voiced by Moroni Olson, declares Snow White to be the fairest of them all.
Out of jealousy, the Queen orders her Huntsman to kill Snow White. And yet, out of the kindness of his heart, he can’t do it. He begs Snow White to run far away. After stumbling upon a terrifying forest and kindly animal friends, Snow White discovers a cottage home to seven old dwarves, each with their own distinct personality. Doc, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Happy, and Dopey.
Snow White lives with the dwarves to hide from the Queen, becoming in a way their mother. Yet the Queen soon discovers the girl is still alive, and vows to kill her herself, even if it takes away her beauty.
A Legacy Unlike Any Other
Taking the time to describe the plot was arguably ridiculous. Even people who have never seen the 1937 film know this story. That’s because Snow White is objectively one of the most important films in cinematic history. It’s not the first animated film nor Disney’s first feature film as many believe, but it is arguably Disney’s most important. It set a groundwork for the animation studio that allowed them to develop future projects like Pinocchio, Bambi, Cinderella and more. It was a test pilot for feature animation, realistic character design, and more dramatic storytelling.
Before the film’s release, Walt Disney and his team were best known for their animated short subjects. These shorts, especially the Silly Symphonies series, were essentially tech demos for future technology. Cel animation, synchronized sound, Technicolor, the multiplane camera. All of the experiments Walt used all led to a passion project: feature animation.
The development of Snow White was a necessity to Walt Disney. Feature films would help the studio garner more revenues and prestige, pushing the studio to new heights. Walt Disney was an adamant supporter for this project, despite hesitance from his brother and business partner Roy Disney, and the humongous production cost. So adamant, Walt mortgaged his own house for further financing. If this was a failure, he would lose everything.
Of course, this paid off tremendously. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs saw instant acclaim upon its 1937 premiere and astonishing box office in its 1938 general release. It was hailed as an instant classic, became the highest-grossing sound film of all time, and influenced decades of film and animation. Both within the Disney company and the rest of the animation community. The existence of about every animated film released today is thanks to Snow White.
The Real Question
But the question remains: is it still any good? People have talked about the film’s influence for decades, but does the film still work years later? Can you attach itself away from its legacy and childhood memories and still have a solid movie?
The most important aspect to recognize is that the film was the first of its kind. It was not the first animated film ever made, but it was the first in the United States, and the first for Walt Disney’s crew. Their familiarity with short subjects does make the film not feel as connected or as tight as animated and family films are today.
Most sequences in the film develop the story, but many, especially scenes featuring the dwarves, do not. Sequences like the dwarves washing their hands or going to sleep feel like a 7-minute short stapled into the movie. It doesn’t feel cohesive, and oftentimes, it feels like moments exist as an excuse to push gags and extend the runtime.
With that said, that oddly gives the film its charm. For better or worse, the pacing and structure is not seen today in any film. And that makes it fascinating to watch nowadays. While helped by the fact that each segment is entertaining and memorable, it’s interesting to see this ragtag group of animators develop a story. Not every moment works, but there’s a strong emotional core to the story that makes each moment work, regardless of its odd structure.
The Importance of Drama
The emotional core is thanks to the dramatic storytelling. While this is far from Disney’s first venture into drama, danger and stakes were a necessity to Walt. Characters like The Prince and The Evil Queen were planned to venture into comedy bits. The Prince would serenade Snow White in a goofy manner, while The Evil Queen was a fat, self-centered, batty woman.
But as production moved on, Walt leaned in on the idea of a more serious story. Despite the dwarfs and their comedy, Walt wanted audiences to feel scared, even sad over the lead character. He wanted to emphasize the dynamic between Snow White and her stepmother. Two beauties, one young and innocent, the other old and desperate.
The dwarfs are iconic and convey the most personality. However, the main story element is Snow White and the Queen. It’s an important decision that pays off in the end. Neither figures are especially fascinating, but play well in the narrative. Snow White’s kindness makes her instantly endearing, and the Queen’s regal appearance is enjoyable and threatening. Her transformation into a hag is also fun, with plenty of ham and energy. Both also feature lovely character designs that are realistic, yet appealing, though imperfect. The crew was still trying to figure out how to design anatomically correct humans, so at times characters like Snow White and The Prince look off.
In fact, the film’s general artistry really emphasizes the dramatic angle here. There’s several scenes of frightening imagery and intense chases that have strong impact. The danger Snow White and the dwarfs go through in these scenes is believable and even scary at points. Helped by distinct colors, a grand orchestra, and dynamic character animation, it feels perilous and emotional.
Of course, those dark elements make the happy conclusion, where Snow White runs off with her beloved prince, all the more jolly and beautiful. And as the film ends with the castle far off in the distance, surrounded by clouds and a heavenly glow, while the new couple looks beyond, it’s the perfect cap to an incredible first venture.
Plus or Minus?
The last question of the day is this: is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a Plus or a Minus? After 83 years, does it still hold up? Can you remove childhood memories and enjoy it as is?
As much as it may be a touch messy today, it really does work. There’s comedy, gravitas, music, and magic all rolled into one here. It’s richly entertaining, gorgeously designed, and tugs at the emotional heartstrings. It’s still lovely and enjoyable today, which makes it an easy Plus when it comes to the Plus or Minus scale.
Next time: Is Pinocchio, the next animated venture, a Plus or Minus? I promise I won’t be lying about what I think.