Blu-ray Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Signature Collection
THE SET-UP
The Grimm fairy tale gets the original
Disney treatment, in a classic film that has defied the years.
Featuring the voices of Adriana Caselotti, Roy Atwell, Lucille La
Verne, and Stuart Buchanan.
Disney treatment, in a classic film that has defied the years.
Featuring the voices of Adriana Caselotti, Roy Atwell, Lucille La
Verne, and Stuart Buchanan.
Directed by David Hand.
THE DELIVERY
If you missed out on picking up Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs on Blu-ray when the Diamond Edition was
released in 2009, you’ve had a long wait to see Disney’s original
masterpiece at home. The new “Signature Edition” brings the 2009
high definition transfer back, along with some of the better special
features from that release, and added a few new extras as well.
White and the Seven Dwarfs on Blu-ray when the Diamond Edition was
released in 2009, you’ve had a long wait to see Disney’s original
masterpiece at home. The new “Signature Edition” brings the 2009
high definition transfer back, along with some of the better special
features from that release, and added a few new extras as well.
The film itself needs no real review,
as it seems pointless to critique a film long considered a classic.
Sure, one could find flaws with character development or structure,
if one really needed to, but there’s no need to quibble with minor
faults. Instead, the new Blu-ray allows the opportunity to gain a new
appreciation for this animated masterwork. Rather than constantly
playing to children’s expectations (like so many of today’s films
do), Disney chose to inject Snow White with a mature, dramatic flair
and a truly terrifying villain, counter-balanced with just enough
signature Disney humor to make it palatable for kids.
as it seems pointless to critique a film long considered a classic.
Sure, one could find flaws with character development or structure,
if one really needed to, but there’s no need to quibble with minor
faults. Instead, the new Blu-ray allows the opportunity to gain a new
appreciation for this animated masterwork. Rather than constantly
playing to children’s expectations (like so many of today’s films
do), Disney chose to inject Snow White with a mature, dramatic flair
and a truly terrifying villain, counter-balanced with just enough
signature Disney humor to make it palatable for kids.
Sure, Snow White and the Prince are a
bit one-dimensional, but the scene-stealing dwarfs and the Evil
Queen’s machinations propel the streamlined narrative and keep
adults interested. Featuring incredible art design and timeless music
(note the songs and score by Frank Churchill, Leigh Harline, and Paul
J. Smith), Snow White is a simple story so perfectly told, to this
day, it remains immensely entertaining from start to finish.
bit one-dimensional, but the scene-stealing dwarfs and the Evil
Queen’s machinations propel the streamlined narrative and keep
adults interested. Featuring incredible art design and timeless music
(note the songs and score by Frank Churchill, Leigh Harline, and Paul
J. Smith), Snow White is a simple story so perfectly told, to this
day, it remains immensely entertaining from start to finish.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
heralded a new era in entertainment, proving animation could be presented as a
feature film, rather than shorts that played before the feature. It
also blazed the way for films like The Wizard of Oz, which was
greenlit for production after the success of Snow White. Few films
since, however, can rival the level of artistic achievement of Walt’s
first masterpiece.
heralded a new era in entertainment, proving animation could be presented as a
feature film, rather than shorts that played before the feature. It
also blazed the way for films like The Wizard of Oz, which was
greenlit for production after the success of Snow White. Few films
since, however, can rival the level of artistic achievement of Walt’s
first masterpiece.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
This new “Signature Edition” sports the
same high-definition transfer from the 2009 release, but it is not
without its issues. Clarity is fantastic, as one might imagine, but
the use of bold color saturation may give many purists pause.
Essentially, certain characters – most notably Snow White and the
Evil Queen – have had their costume colors brightened to the point
that they stand out significantly from the rest of the scene.
same high-definition transfer from the 2009 release, but it is not
without its issues. Clarity is fantastic, as one might imagine, but
the use of bold color saturation may give many purists pause.
Essentially, certain characters – most notably Snow White and the
Evil Queen – have had their costume colors brightened to the point
that they stand out significantly from the rest of the scene.
Whether or not this is a bad thing is
essentially a matter of personal taste. Most viewers won’t mind, or
likely, even notice. The brighter colors will appeal to kids, but
purists would argue the colors are too bold for the rest of the
film’s intended muted palette. The coloring is also inconsistent; from
one shot to another, the colors vary in intensity. Again, it is only
noticeable to those who really look for it. Overall, it detracts
little from one’s enjoyment of the film.
essentially a matter of personal taste. Most viewers won’t mind, or
likely, even notice. The brighter colors will appeal to kids, but
purists would argue the colors are too bold for the rest of the
film’s intended muted palette. The coloring is also inconsistent; from
one shot to another, the colors vary in intensity. Again, it is only
noticeable to those who really look for it. Overall, it detracts
little from one’s enjoyment of the film.
The audio includes a 7.1 DTS-HDMA mix,
which can be outstanding at times, but one must remember the original
audio has some limitations, so expect the voices to sound “tinny”
and shallow at times, even on a great sound system.
which can be outstanding at times, but one must remember the original
audio has some limitations, so expect the voices to sound “tinny”
and shallow at times, even on a great sound system.
SPECIAL FEATURES
For this “Signature Edition”
release, Disney brought over the best of the special features from
the 2009 “Diamond Edition” Blu-ray release, and coupled them with
a handful of solid new extras. The special features are as follows:
release, Disney brought over the best of the special features from
the 2009 “Diamond Edition” Blu-ray release, and coupled them with
a handful of solid new extras. The special features are as follows:
“In Walt’s Words: Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs” featurette. Culled from a series of audio
interviews conducted in 1956, the recollections of Walt Disney are
collected in this featurette. It is incredibly interesting to hear
Disney himself discuss the challenges of making his first feature,
and you’ll wish it lasted longer. Running time: 4:22
the Seven Dwarfs” featurette. Culled from a series of audio
interviews conducted in 1956, the recollections of Walt Disney are
collected in this featurette. It is incredibly interesting to hear
Disney himself discuss the challenges of making his first feature,
and you’ll wish it lasted longer. Running time: 4:22
“Iconography” featurette. Artists
and Disney staffers discuss the iconic imagery of the film, and
reinterpret it for modern times. Running time: 7:16
and Disney staffers discuss the iconic imagery of the film, and
reinterpret it for modern times. Running time: 7:16
“@DisneyAnimaton: Designing Disney’s
First Princess” featurette. Disney animators and art directors look
over original concept art for Snow White and discuss how animators of
the time were influenced by the culture of the time. Running time:
5:16
First Princess” featurette. Disney animators and art directors look
over original concept art for Snow White and discuss how animators of
the time were influenced by the culture of the time. Running time:
5:16
“The Fairest Facts of The All: 7
Things You May Not Know About Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
featurette. Actress Sofia Carson (Descendents) offers up trivia about
the film. Running time: 4:37
Things You May Not Know About Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
featurette. Actress Sofia Carson (Descendents) offers up trivia about
the film. Running time: 4:37
“Snow White in Seventy Seconds”
song. You know those embarrassing commercials from the 1980s were
actors tried rapping to appear cool and sell you something? Well,
apparently, that’s a thing again, because here, we get a kid who
condenses the plot of Snow White into a rap song that is just over a
minute long, and it is…well, it isn’t good. At all. Running time: 72 seconds,
actually.
song. You know those embarrassing commercials from the 1980s were
actors tried rapping to appear cool and sell you something? Well,
apparently, that’s a thing again, because here, we get a kid who
condenses the plot of Snow White into a rap song that is just over a
minute long, and it is…well, it isn’t good. At all. Running time: 72 seconds,
actually.
Alternate Sequence: “The Prince Meets
Snow White.” Using original storyboards and sketches, the original
meeting of Prince Charming and Snow White is shown. It’s more
involved than what you see in the final film, and it is enhanced with
actors providing the unrecorded dialogue. We even get a “commentary”
of sorts, as actors portraying Walt Disney and several animators use
actual quotes from 1936-37 storyboard meeting transcripts to add
their thoughts to the scene’s development. Running time: 3:39.
Snow White.” Using original storyboards and sketches, the original
meeting of Prince Charming and Snow White is shown. It’s more
involved than what you see in the final film, and it is enhanced with
actors providing the unrecorded dialogue. We even get a “commentary”
of sorts, as actors portraying Walt Disney and several animators use
actual quotes from 1936-37 storyboard meeting transcripts to add
their thoughts to the scene’s development. Running time: 3:39.
“Disney’s First Feature: The Making
of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” featurette. This “Behind the
Scenes” documentary is a fantastic look at the creation of the
film, and includes extensive discussions about the travails Walt
experienced in making the first feature-length animated film. It’s
absolutely my favorite extra on the disc. Running time: 33:15.
of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” featurette. This “Behind the
Scenes” documentary is a fantastic look at the creation of the
film, and includes extensive discussions about the travails Walt
experienced in making the first feature-length animated film. It’s
absolutely my favorite extra on the disc. Running time: 33:15.
“Bringing Snow White to Life”
featurette. The artists and animators who gave Snow White her
signature look and brought her to life are profiled here. That
included animator Grim Natwick, the creator of Betty Boop, who worked
with Disney and brought his understanding of animating a woman to the
character of Snow White. Running time: 11:35.
featurette. The artists and animators who gave Snow White her
signature look and brought her to life are profiled here. That
included animator Grim Natwick, the creator of Betty Boop, who worked
with Disney and brought his understanding of animating a woman to the
character of Snow White. Running time: 11:35.
“Hyperion Studios Tour” featurette.
The early days of Disney’s animation studio, particularly during
the production of Snow White, are covered. It is a fascinating watch, with former
Disney employees providing some great stories. Recorded interviews
and rare photos are presented. Running time: 30:36.
The early days of Disney’s animation studio, particularly during
the production of Snow White, are covered. It is a fascinating watch, with former
Disney employees providing some great stories. Recorded interviews
and rare photos are presented. Running time: 30:36.
“Decoding the Exposure Sheet”
featurette. The technical aspect of animating a scene, using an
original “exposure sheet” used for a scene in Snow White. It is
an excellent watch for animation wonks. Running time: 6:49
featurette. The technical aspect of animating a scene, using an
original “exposure sheet” used for a scene in Snow White. It is
an excellent watch for animation wonks. Running time: 6:49
“Snow White Returns” featurette.
Don Hahn (producer, Beauty and the Beast & The Lion King)
Don Hahn (producer, Beauty and the Beast & The Lion King)
Recently-discovered sketches from the
Disney archives are shown, which hint that some Disney animators had
planned an animated follow-up to the original Snow White, using at
least two discarded scenes from the original film. Pretty cool stuff,
actually. Running time: 8:44
Disney archives are shown, which hint that some Disney animators had
planned an animated follow-up to the original Snow White, using at
least two discarded scenes from the original film. Pretty cool stuff,
actually. Running time: 8:44
“Story Meetings: The Dwarfs”
featurette. Voice actors re-enact transcripts from original story
meetings for Snow White, where Disney animators discuss how the
different dwarfs will be characterized. Clips and original character
sketches are shown. Running time: 5:51.
featurette. Voice actors re-enact transcripts from original story
meetings for Snow White, where Disney animators discuss how the
different dwarfs will be characterized. Clips and original character
sketches are shown. Running time: 5:51.
“Story Meetings: The Huntsman”
featurette. Like the “Dwarfs” featurette, this featurette
includes audio recreations from Disney animator story meetings, with
this one focusing on the Huntsman. Running time: 3:55.
featurette. Like the “Dwarfs” featurette, this featurette
includes audio recreations from Disney animator story meetings, with
this one focusing on the Huntsman. Running time: 3:55.
Deleted Scene: Soup-Eating Sequence.
Rough pencil animation (and original audio tracks) of a deleted scene
is presented here, offering a song sung by the dwarfs as they eat
soup. It’s great fun, but one can understand how the scene’s
length (over four minutes) would have slowed down the film’s
pacing. Running time: 4:07.
Rough pencil animation (and original audio tracks) of a deleted scene
is presented here, offering a song sung by the dwarfs as they eat
soup. It’s great fun, but one can understand how the scene’s
length (over four minutes) would have slowed down the film’s
pacing. Running time: 4:07.
Deleted Sequence: Bed Building
Sequence. Like the “soup-eating” sequence, a deleted scene
showing the dwarfs building a bed for Snow White is shown using the
original rough animation, original storyboards, and a new audio track
created from the original script. Running time: 6:28.
Sequence. Like the “soup-eating” sequence, a deleted scene
showing the dwarfs building a bed for Snow White is shown using the
original rough animation, original storyboards, and a new audio track
created from the original script. Running time: 6:28.
“Animation Voice Talent”
featurette. Using classic interviews, this featurette explores the
actors who brought the characters to life. This is worth watching
just to briefly see Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White, talk
about her role. The story of how Lucille La Verne, the voice of the
Evil Queen, created the voice of the witch, is fantastic. Running
time: 6:20.
featurette. Using classic interviews, this featurette explores the
actors who brought the characters to life. This is worth watching
just to briefly see Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White, talk
about her role. The story of how Lucille La Verne, the voice of the
Evil Queen, created the voice of the witch, is fantastic. Running
time: 6:20.
Audio Commentary. The fantastic audio
commentary includes Roy E. Disney providing an introduction and
Disney Historian John Canemaker discussing the film, and even
includes snippets of archival recordings of Walt Disney discussing
the film. Disney himself actually provides much of the commentary,
making this a must-listen that will only grow your appreciation of
the film.
commentary includes Roy E. Disney providing an introduction and
Disney Historian John Canemaker discussing the film, and even
includes snippets of archival recordings of Walt Disney discussing
the film. Disney himself actually provides much of the commentary,
making this a must-listen that will only grow your appreciation of
the film.
Digital Copy. A code for a digital
version of the film is included, which can be added to your Disney
Movies Anywhere library, which, in turn, is compatible with digital video
providers including Vudu and Amazon Video.
version of the film is included, which can be added to your Disney
Movies Anywhere library, which, in turn, is compatible with digital video
providers including Vudu and Amazon Video.
“DisneyView” feature. Since Snow
White was filmed in the 4:3 aspect ratio (essentially a square
image), Disney offers the option to “fill in” the black sides of
your widescreen TV with artwork that fits what you see on screen.
Some may find it distracting, but I give Disney credit for the
effort.
White was filmed in the 4:3 aspect ratio (essentially a square
image), Disney offers the option to “fill in” the black sides of
your widescreen TV with artwork that fits what you see on screen.
Some may find it distracting, but I give Disney credit for the
effort.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A timeless classic
gets a worthy Blu-ray treatment
gets a worthy Blu-ray treatment
Snow White, as Disney’s flagship
film, gets a worthy treatment on Blu-ray, providing a great transfer
along with a bevy of satisfying extras. It is a masterpiece worth
adding to your collection.
film, gets a worthy treatment on Blu-ray, providing a great transfer
along with a bevy of satisfying extras. It is a masterpiece worth
adding to your collection.
BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Rating: G
Running Time: 83 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio,
Original Restored 2.0 Mono soundtrack, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby
Digital
Original Restored 2.0 Mono soundtrack, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby
Digital
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Special Features: “In Walt’s Words:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” featurette; “Iconography”
featurette; “@DisneyAnimation: Designing Disney’s First Princess”
featurette; “The Fairest Facts of Them All” featurette; “Snow
White in 70 Seconds” song; Alternate Sequence: “The Prince Meets
Snow White;” “Disney’s First Feature: The Making of Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs” documentary; “Bringing Snow White to Life”
featurette; “Hyperion Studios Tour” documentary; “Decoding the
Exposure Sheet” featurette; “Snow White Returns” featurette;
“Story Meetings: The Dwarfs” featurette; “Story Meetings: The
Huntsman” featurette; Deleted Scene: “Soup Eating Sequence;”
Deleted Scene: “Bed Building Sequence;” “Animation Voice
Talent” featurette, Digital Copy, DisneyView option.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” featurette; “Iconography”
featurette; “@DisneyAnimation: Designing Disney’s First Princess”
featurette; “The Fairest Facts of Them All” featurette; “Snow
White in 70 Seconds” song; Alternate Sequence: “The Prince Meets
Snow White;” “Disney’s First Feature: The Making of Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs” documentary; “Bringing Snow White to Life”
featurette; “Hyperion Studios Tour” documentary; “Decoding the
Exposure Sheet” featurette; “Snow White Returns” featurette;
“Story Meetings: The Dwarfs” featurette; “Story Meetings: The
Huntsman” featurette; Deleted Scene: “Soup Eating Sequence;”
Deleted Scene: “Bed Building Sequence;” “Animation Voice
Talent” featurette, Digital Copy, DisneyView option.
Audio Commentary: Introduction by Roy
Disney, with historian John Canemaker and archival recordings of Walt
Disney
Disney, with historian John Canemaker and archival recordings of Walt
Disney
Label: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Click here to order Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Signature Collection on Blu-ray from Amazon!
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