“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is one of those quintessential American animated flicks. Crafted during Disney’s partnership with RKO, this was the first feature length animated feature film. While that’s amazing and pioneering, the historical impact has been lost due to overexposure. Snow White has become one of those films that just slams people by insisting upon its presence. So, why does it matter?
Disney knew that for animation to continue existing past opening shorts, the jump to features was necessary. 1937 wasn’t that friendly to feature films and even less so to animation. Most considered the “Snow White” endeavor to be a folly, but there was something more important at stake. Outside of the European masters coming to Hollywood, this was one of the first American made features to directly ape European technique. Whether it’s the high angles and tight darkness, we were seeing the beginning of animated Impressionism.
Later scholars have pointed out how much of the film is lifted from the 1936 version of “Romeo & Juliet”, but that’s purely superficial. The real aping happened by the scenes, as filming techniques were tweaked and configured to allow dramatic technique to make it into animation. What’s so insane is how many principles at play were later dropped for commercial appeal. Watching the film in the modern era, one must note how it plays more to the dramatic than comedic when given the chance.
The Blu-Ray comes with new alternate storyboard sequences, featurettes, facts and Walt Disney actually talking about the film via new archival footage. The DTS-HD 7.1 master audio is loud and aggressive for an older animated feature film. The 1080p transfer is quite spotless. If you’re a fan, it’s worth a purchase. But, if you’ve got the older OOP edition, then you might have to flip a coin.
Release Date: 2/2/16
