Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (G, 1937)

common sense media says

Animated classic is enchanting but also scary.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say there are positive role models
  • 45% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Disney's first animated film does contain a few scenes that might frighten young preschoolers. The scenes with the wicked queen are especially creepy, as are the parts when Snow White runs through the frighteningly enchanted forest, bites the poisoned apple, and when the Queen turns into the old hag. While the violence is far from bloody, the queen does order the huntsman to kill Snow White and bring back her heart. As is to be expected in a film made in 1937, Snow White is a passive damsel in distress who needs to be rescued by her true love, the prince.

Educational value: Not an overtly educational film, except for the message that one should never harm the innocent, even when ordered to, like the huntsman.
Positive messages: Not a message-filled movie, but the huntsman makes an ethical choice to disregard the evil Queen's immoral command that he kill Snow White. He shows mercy instead. Snow White never complains about her lot and finds the good in even dire circumstances. The dwarfs band together to defend Snow White.
Positive role models: Although Snow White is a passive female heroine -- the classic damsel in distress who dreams of being rescued by her prince -- she is also a paragon of generosity and selflessness. Snow White doesn't shun the dwarfs once she realizes the little house belongs to them instead of orphans. She is sweet, loving, nurturing, and trusting, albeit naive and gullible. The dwarfs are also brave, as they follow the Old Hag after they realize she has hurt Snow White. Obviously, the Wicked Queen is an example of bloodthirsty greed and hubris.
Violence & scariness: There are a few possibly disturbing scenes, especially any scene including the Wicked Queen. The Queen threatens and orders the huntsman to kill Snow White and return with her heart in a box. The huntsman raises a knife, and Snow White shrieks in terror. As Snow White flees, the enchanted forest becomes increasingly scary. Menacing vultures follow the Queen after she transforms into a creepy old hag. After Snow White faints into her "sleeping death," the dwarves arm themselves with their mining tools and follow the Queen, who eventually falls to her death.
Sexy stuff: The prince kisses Snow White, and the songs are mostly of a romantic nature.
Language: As has been noted by various film scholars and sociologists, the usually overlooked first word of the movie is "Slave!" as the Wicked Queen summons her slave in the "Magic Mirror."
Consumerism: Snow White is a Disney Princess, whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc. as well as in books, websites, and other media.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how characters like Snow White might be different if they were created today, and what elements of the story make it a classic fairy tale.  

  • How is the violence in Snow White different than the violence in other Disney movies?

  • Snow White is a traditional damsel in distress. How have depictions of princesses and heroines changed since 1937?

  • Why is the Queen jealous of Snow White? Why is being beautiful so important to her?

What's the story?

What's the story?

SNOW WHITE, the first feature-length animated film in movie history, is the original Disney Princess. In a far off kingdom, a wicked Queen (voiced by Lucille LaVerne) is so evil she forces her lovely step-daughter Snow White (Adriana Caselotti) to work as a servant. Obsessively vain, the Queen is only happy when her slave in a magic mirror tells her she's "the fairest one of all." On the fateful day the magic mirror informs her that Snow White is the fairest, the jealous Queen orders a huntsman to kill Snow White and return with her heart. Instead, the huntsman instructs Snow White to flee, and he takes the Queen a pig's heart. Eventually forest animals direct Snow White to a small cottage -- the home of seven dwarfs who become her little friends and protectors. The Queen's mirror, however, knows Snow White is still alive and the fairest, so the Queen will stop at nothing to get rid of her beautiful rival.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Although Snow White may not be as brave as Mulan, as intelligent as Belle, or as talented as Ariel, she is, like Cinderella after her, the sweetest among the Disney Princesses. Girls nowadays like their princesses and movie idols with a little edge, but considering Snow White was made in 1937, it's still a timeless tale, chock-full of the key ingredients to Disney's recipe for success: romance, mystery, mild peril, and music (more than 70 years later, people can still sing along to "Some Day My Prince Will Come") .

Snow White has it all, and it's a testament to the original Walt Disney animators that the traditional, hand-drawn animation can still evoke so much terror (the bulging eyes that creep out of the enchanted forest, or the menacing look of the two vultures), pathos (the sight of Snow White's outstretched hand after eating the apple) and tenderness (the dwarfs mourning Snow White's apparent death). Seven decades have passed, and this original wicked Queen is still the scariest of the Disney villains, and Snow White quite possibly the fairest of them all.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: David Hand
Cast: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release: December 21, 1937
DVD release: October 6, 2009
MPAA Rating: G

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

4
Based on 22 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say there are positive role models
  • 45% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

lexington88
parent of 2 and 4 year old
 
Doesn't Hold Up in 2010, Classic status is underserved
I recognize that this is considered a classic, and I'm no prude, but I find this movie to be inappropriate for 2 and 3 year olds. Aside from that, I just don't think it is very good. It meanders along at a slow pace and it's basically a series of disconnected scenes from different perspectives. The Queen is creepy and mean, she orders Snow White killed and to have her heart ripped out as evidence. She dies in the end and vultures go to presumably eat her. Snow White herself is a pretty silly character, with an annoying voice - there just isn't much to her. Even the dwarves just aren't that funny. It's time we stopped pretending this is such a classic - it doesn't hold up at all in 2010. Boring, violent, simplistic and sometimes offensive. I think all Disney animated movies have something to object to - but I'll take Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid over this garbage any day.

4kidshater
teen, 14 years old
 
a very timeless disney movie
I love this movie. It is very timeless. It is the greatest movie ever made. This is a very good movie. I like it. I highly recommeded it.

ChelseaK
parent of 4 year old
 
Personally I think it's okay for younger children to watch as long as a parent is with them to explain the mean people to them. My daughter enjoyed it.

Cooldee
parent
 

okcmaxk
kid, 10 years old
 
this was the first disney movie ever made! thats why i like this movie.

 
A Timeless Classic With A Scary Villain
First and foremost, Snow White is a product of it's time and that's important to remember when viewing this film. If it's stunning visual effects and strong soundtrack, seek other Disney entertainment. Disney did a phenomenal job of restoring this film for Blu-Ray format, last year, including a 7.1 HD-DTS soundtrack at 48Khz/24-bit. For a movie that was originally mixed for a monaural soundtrack, it sounds great. The movie has many positive attributes including Snow White's selflessness, kindness to others and animals, and a general sweetness and innocence that is easy for a viewer to see. The dwarves show generosity in allowing Snow White to stay with them, even though she sort of invites herself into their house and lives. Having said all of that, the Queen in this film, is one of the most wicked villains Disney has used in one of their full length feature films. The concept of killing Snow White with a hunting knife and putting her heart in a box is fairly creepy and this will scare some children. But the movie also teaches that vanity is bad (as demonstrated by the queen) and not rewarded favorably. As stated earlier, the movie is a product of its time. The animators working on this film were used to drawing Disney shorts with a sort of barnyard-type of humor and this is tame by comparison to many of those shorts. You'll see beer steins around the house of the seven dwarves, but alcohol is not consumed in the movie. Having said that, Snow White (the movie) is loosely based on the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale. Many of their fairy tales were scary and designed to frighten children into obedience or teach valuable life lessons. In regards to this movie, they succeeded. Snow White comes from the typical dysfunctional fairy tale family, having no father or siblings, and an evil step-mother. In today's age in which divorce rates in the US have reached the 50/50 percentage mark, it may be important to convey to your children at some point (if they have a step-mother) that not all step-parents are evil and if appropriate even suggest that the step-parent watch the movie with the children.

 

 
Great movie for older children and adults!
When I was a little girl this movie was frightening to me (from about the age of 4 or 5 when I can first remember watching it). I wasn't able to fully appreciate the content of this movie till I was a little over 11 or 12 years old. This movie is definitely fine for older children. As a person who has a deep love for music, and appreciates all kinds, the voice of Snow White and the music in this movie in general could be considered musically educational. You just can't find women who can sing like that anymore. She has a very beautiful, 1930s style singing voice. The movie doesn't necessarily have the most positive message, but hey, it IS a fairy tale. The intent is to entertain and tug at your imagination. Snow White is definitely a positive role model in the aspects that she is innocent, kind, unselfish, caring, and a glass half full kinda gal. I definitely recommend it as a must see for anyone who loves fantasy and fairy tale romance, and music. Always a classic, no matter if it's 1938 or 2080.

Ericasdinardo
kid, 11 years old
 
My favorite princess
This is an amazing movie of girl who is being controlled by her step-mother who has seemed to have killed her father . I love this movie it can really bring a smile to your face when you watch it. A originally story about love and friend-ship.

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
Not the best Disney classic but okay
I kinda liked it. It was okay. But parents need to know it has some iffy stuff. First, violence might scare litte kids, even though it's outdated. The huntsman almost kills Snow White. There's a scene where Snow White is trapped in the woods and its dark so the animals look scary. Also, there's a sweet kiss. Snow White isn't the best role model, but she isn't horrible. The good is that she's a loving, kind, polite young lady. The bad is that Snow's a steroetypical damsel-in-distress who dreams of being rescued by a cute guy. The witch is the stereotypical evil stepmother. SPOILER She marries Prince Charming after she met him. He saved her life, but she didn't even know him before.

 
I can't believe someone had the gall to call this garbage....
This is a classic. Yes, there's a scary villain. What movie doesn't have a freakin' scary villain? Get over it. If you wanna talk about "garbage", let's talk about the inappropriate crap that "Disney" comes out with nowadays.

Mr.Jacob
educator
 
Great for around Kindergarten up
I would say a kindergarten class or older would handle it very well... Some younger students would probably be fine but you really would have to take the child themselves into account.

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
The First One
To think that the 1000's of animated movies we take for granted nowadays all started with 9 cartoons and a forest setting (7 dwarfs, Snow White & the Queen). It was a joy to watch, Grumpy was always my favorite btw. Its ending is timeless, and if you haven't seen it/seen it recently watch it soon.

MamaRo
parent of 2 and 4 year old
 
A classic.
My 3 and a half year old is absolutely delighted by the little animals helping Snow White. Prior to watching this film for the first time, she was generally afraid of "the woods" but she didn't want to skip the scary part in the woods and doesn't seem to have been damaged by watching it. I appreciate that the character of Snow White is not a sex diva like some of the other Barbie-esque Disney princesses of today. She just seems like a kind and pretty adolescent girl. And a helpful but helpless damsel in distress.

DonkeyKongGirl
kid, 13 years old
 
My Rating: B+
This movie is 100% classic and very admiring. Slightly violent. Violent when the Queen sends a huntsman to kill Snow White. Somewhat scary when Snow White runs through the forest to be safe. The Queen looks scary once she makes a potion. Besides this I reccomend everyone can watch it. Probably not meant for boys to watch because they'll probably think it's "icky" and "gross" in the true loves kiss at the end. (I loved mimicking Snow White when she screamed when scared in the forest!)

mommygalores
parent of 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 , and 12 year old
 
Family Friendly Movie
Fave movie of all times.That is what me and my 6 girls think about this movie.Very heartwarming story about a quaint little princess who is very kind.Even when she found out the dwarfs were not orphans,she treated them with love still.I will admit the queen is a bit scary,but she is an example to young viewers.An example of sheer jealosy.Overall,a great movie for anyone.So go ahead an watch it.You will not regret it.

Swit Swat
kid, 12 years old
 
A classic disney movie that will enchant little kids!
Ahh, memories! This is a great classic disney movie which I am sure most 6 year olds and up will enjoy. The reason I put it on for 6 is because there is a scary witch in the movie. Smaller kids might get freaked out. And it is a disney princess movie, so of coure there is going to be at least one kiss and some romantic music.

Dominicboo1
teen, 16 years old
 
Fairest One Of All
This was the first fully animated feature film ever as I'm sure you know. It's still a beautiful classic today. The Queen is a little scary, but never really bothered me. As always the age meter is just a random guess on my part.

Meow314159
teen, 15 years old
 
SOOO SCARY!
I watch horror movies all the time, but I will never forget when I was young and I had the special edition version and was browsing through the bonus features. So, there was this clip and the queen was torturing the princes who wanted to save Snow White. The queen was ripping their guts out and they were screaming. I was yelling and crying and my mom had to come in and turn off the movie. That sure beat any horror movie I have ever seen, gosh.

hoysie
parent of 3 and 5 year old
 
not very nice really, sorry

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