Customer Reviews

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (2-Discs)

5 star:		(190)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Note: The review that follows is of the Diamond Edition of Snow White that includes DVD and Blu-Ray in a "Combo Pack," accompanied by a wealth of special features that really are special. For reasons known only to Amazon, reviews of earlier versions -- those that are of significantly inferior quality in terms of production values -- are recycled for inclusion with reviews of the latest version. Note that most of the 227 Customer Reviews now featured are of earlier versions and were posted years ago.

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I first saw this film in the Shore Theater in the Windsor Park area of South Chicago and have since seen it several dozen times in the VHS and subsequent DVD format. Snow White and Pinocchio are my favorite Disney feature animated films. I was delighted that Disney released the Two-Disc 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition of Pinocchio earlier this year and now we have the Diamond Edition of Snow White that includes DVD and Blue-Ray in a "Combo Pack," accompanied by a wealth of special features that really are special. As a result of all-new state-of-the-art digital restoration and Disney Enhanced High Definition sound, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs once again possesses all of the magic that previous versions of Disney's first animated feature film do not.

In an article about the Walt Disney Family Museum that appeared in The New York Times (October 1, 2009), Edward Rothstein observes: "By the time [Disney] created his first feature-length work, `Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' he had transformed the very notion of animation. Disney insisted that cartoons literally animate their world, bring it so thoroughly to life that even inanimate objects would react to events. He pushed his staff to strain for realism (and sponsored drawing classes in his studios). But he was interested in something more than reality; even tables and trees would display character. I include Rothstein's insightful comments because the animation of otherwise inanimate objects is brilliantly enhanced by all-new state-of-the-art digital restoration. In the Blu-Ray format, the images in Snow White seem even more vivid than I what I recall seeing in a theater and the songs are much more enjoyable because of their presentation in Disney Enhanced High Definition sound.

The plot is based on one of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, Wilhelm and Jacob, and the songs were composed by Frank Churchill (who also wrote the music for "Dumbo" and "Bambi") and Larry Morey (who also wrote the lyrics for "Bambi.") Together they wrote over 25 songs for Snow White but (ironically) only seven were used. After the success of that film, Churchill was promoted to Supervisor of Music at the Disney Studios. There are several of Disney's core themes developed, notably the constant threat of evil and efforts to flee from it as well as the importance of trust and the power of faith. Moreover, whereas a castle or cottage is merely a residence, wherever one is able to be with loved ones is "home." Even the forest animals who live nearby become involved with household chores, soon after Snow White arrives at the dusty, disorganized sylvan "pad" shared by seven bachelors. Given the fact that they haul diamonds from the mine each day, you'd think they could afford a cook and maid. Apparently not.

Disney will offer this "combo Pack" for a limited time only and it really does offer significant value-added benefits that include an all new music video performed by Sonny with a Chance's Tiffany Thornton, an exclusive sneak preview of The Princess and the Frog, "What Do You See?" and "Jewel Jumble" game exercises, newly discovered storyboards for "Snow White Returns," a tour of Walt Disney's original Hyperion studios, and "Dopey's Wild Mine Ride" game. Even without any supplementary features such as these, however, this version (in either the DVD or Blu-Ray format) is, in my opinion, the most complete masterpiece of all the great feature-length animated films. None other combines as effectively his one does both drama and delight in terms of plot, character development, and music.

In a review of Snow White for The New York Times in 1938, Frank Nugent wrote, "Wars are being fought as the picture unreels; crimes are being committed; hatreds are being whetted; riots are being brewed. But the world fades away when M. Disney begins weaving his spell and enchantment takes hold." In his biography of Disney, published in 2006, Neal Gabler observes that other critics "cited the awesome power of the sheer technical achievement: the collaboration of the nearly six hundred employees who drew, inked, and painted the quarter-million drawings in what totaled two hundred years' worth of man-hours. While no animated cartoon had ever looked like Snow White, and certainly none had packed its emotional wallop, it was also true that in none would the investment of time, energy, and devotion be so palpable. In some respects it was the cinematic equivalent of a Gothic cathedral - only in this case all the man-hours were expended in service to one man's vision rather than God's glory."

Most of those who see this film could not care less about its cultural significance, nor about its seamless integration of theme with technology, of inspiration with execution. They will almost immediately be delighted by the lead characters and enchanted by the life they share. Now restored and enhanced, Snow White once again has the technical brilliance and emotional power that were premiered at the Cathay Circle Theater on the evening of December 21, 1937. According to one observer, Bill Peet, "everyone in that first Snow White audience could have predicted the enormous success of the film. They were carried away by the picture from the very beginning, and as it went along everyone was bubbling over with enthusiasm and frequently bursting into spontaneous applause." To the best of my knowledge, no other film made more than 70 years ago continues to have the same impact that it did when first released. If that isn't "magic," I really don't know what is.

Same basics ad the DVD without the goodies. I will describe the DVD.

Before we go into any details, I suggest you put on your protective goggles, strap in and go for the main feature. Prepare to be dazzled with sharp images and excellent sound that stay true to the original film.

As with all Disney products there is a lot of schmaltz explaining to them selves of how great they are. In this case, I will have to agree with them. The platinum edition of "Snow White and the seven Dwarfs" makes it well worth trading in your old version or just retiring it. The two-disk edition has more information than can be absorbed in one sitting.

Amazon did a good job of defining all the DVD goodies. However I must mention a few. This takes advantage of your remote control for navigation. To help you decide you have the magic mirror as a guide through both disks and all the feature sections. The magic mirror reminds me of the morose robot in Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

The only negative comment I have is on the second disk as you navigate the menus do not highlight like they should and leave you guessing as to what you have selected until you press the OK button.

If I had looked at the features first I would have found a game. "Dopey's Wild Mine Ride", that required me to go back to the feature, as I could not remember all the details it asked about. Some of the feature information is redundant. Some will require reading. One of the posters that were displayed looked like an advertisement for "Campbell's Cream of Dwarfs Soup."

There is a Barbra Streisand version of "Some Day My Prince Will Come" which was distracting (no offence Barbra) and would have been much better left sounding like Janet McDonald.

The printed Grimm's version of Snow White story was an eye opener.

You know when things are not as good, exciting, or scary as you remember. Well surprise this movie is as good, as exciting as scary and many time down right hilarious.

Like all Disney remastering, great quality, great image, great audio, great technology, great menus, great great great. I won't hesitate a second to buy a movie 10$ more just because it is Disney.

This was an upgrade from my dvd/vhs collection. Love the bonus features and the color and sound are wonderful. A must see for all ages!

Even though I am now 25 years old, I love the Disney Princesses, but an animated princess (or a live action one) needs no certain fan age group, and this is the film that started it all - Snow White.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is based on the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full length animated feature made in the Walt Disney Studios, and also the first American animated feature film in movie history. The story is a familiar one: raised by a wicked and vain Queen, after her royal parents died, beautiful Snow White is taken into the forest to be murdered. However, the Huntsman cannot commit the horrible deed, so she flees and finds refuge in the home of seven diamond-mine workers/dwarfs - Doc, Happy, Bashful, Sneezy, Sleepy, Grumpy, and Dopey.

My favorite musical scenes are The Wishing Well/Balcony scene and the "Bluddle-Uddle-Um-Dum" scene. To me that washing scene is like teaching cats to wash like humans - instead of using their tongues. So overall, I love this beautifully animated film, from beginning to end.

Hey, this was the very first full-length cartoon. I saw it seventy or so years ago when I was about 9 or 10. Although some technical guys might carp and those swave and debonner Hollywood types are bored. THIS WAS THE FIRST. And in those days it was magic, winsome, and funny - a better world than the one that was around the corner in 1939 (did't come to Hollywood folks until Dec 1941. The art looks simple and you may poo poo my thoughts of magic, but it WAS magic for me and others in our small town world when a movie cost a dime and kids like me had to be taken to the movies as we weren't allowed in unless accompanied by a parent.

The magic world that Disney created has been displaced by a cynical, fleshy, stupid and corrupt special place where yu would not want to live -the same sleazy guys are still after the bucks.

I'll take the sweetheart Snow white and her sweet friends any day to the sensual crap that some Hollywood moguls push out today.

Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is one of those classic films that truly deserve the title of "classic." This is a true marvel of film-making, considering how long ago it was made, a time when animated technology was obviously still in its primitive stages. This is simply an astronomical accomplishment.

This Platinum Edition 2-disc DVD is what each and every fan of this movie has been dreaming about. Presentation is superb, both in terms of quality as well as bonus content. Sound and image have both been remastered and restored for an excellent viewing experience. And of course, the bonus features...so much of them that it can get overwhelming (not that I'm complaining!). I share the sentiments of some reviewers here who are upset about Disney discontinuing this title, but what's one to do. eBay is still the best place to buy a copy, if you don't mind paying quite a bit for it. I didn't buy myself a copy before it got discontinued but I found a brand new copy at a CVS/Pharmacy store (I kid you not) of all places. Yes, it is true. And what's even more unbelievable, I saw a copy for sale at another CVS store as well. And no, these are not pirated copies. I highly doubt every CVS will have one, but next time you're in there pay attention to their DVD stock. You might find yourself quite happy.

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is the movie 'that started it all', as they would tell you over and over. And being the huge sensation that it was, every animated film since has something derivated from it. The sappy hero/ione song, the impressively detailed animation, the memorable sidekicks (whether it's the dwarfs or the animals) - every subsequent Disney film ever since features some, if not all, of these elements. But of-course, it's nothing to whine about, since it's obviously a winning formula that still works, even if "Snow White", concept-wise, may look dated today to some. It's no wonder why this film was such a big deal back in 1937. Snow White is a pretty and lovable heroine; the dwarfs - great sidekicks, although I would have preferred less screen time for them; the wicked queen is probably one of the best Disney villains to grace the screen, she's strikingly beautiful yet can look so evil and ugly. The animation is top-notch. You really sense all the effort the animators put into it and the closing shot of Prince Charming's castle is breathtaking. The music in the film is magnificent, with such favorite tunes as "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Heigh-Ho". "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is regarded as one of the finest films ever made, and rightly so. With this brilliant DVD release, you can experience it like never before!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-lenght animated feature, being a true masterpiece considering the fact that it was the start to what become a line of unforgettable classics. Many of these artists, worked in the company until the making of The Rescuers, in which many of Walt Disney's original artists were retiring. Back to Snow White, the film tells the timeless story of the Evil Queen who wanted to kill her beautiful step-daughter because of her jealosy towards her enchanting beauty. The film is presented in beautiful colors, with many wonderful characters starting from the princess, Snow White to the 7 dwarfs, 7 funny and charming little men. The film has some dark and frightening scenes which some children might find a bit, just a bit scary, but still the movie is suitable for anyone.

The DVD is outstanding, probably the best DVD Disney has ever released. The DVD has two disks filled with wonderful bonus features and great film documentaries. I would recommend this DVD to anyone, it trully deserves 5 stars. A winner.

Simply the best animated movie ever, in my opinion! Amazing to think it was all done painstakingly by hand! No Digital imaging!