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Exploring Fairytale Adaptations: “Snow White and the Huntsman”
I recently decided to dive into more fairytale adaptations and took a look at “Snow White and the Huntsman,” directed by Rupert Sanders. This iconic Grimm Brothers’ tale of a young woman persecuted by her stepmother has seen various adaptations over the years. As a staunch Grimm fan, I particularly appreciate versions that stay close to the dark and gruesome original, and Sanders’ film certainly does just that.
I genuinely enjoyed this movie and the way it harkened back to the original Grimm version. Rupert Sanders did a fantastic job of capturing the darker tones of this fairytale, offering a grittier version rather than the lighthearted one by Disney. Sanders mentioned in an interview that he preferred wicked realism over the cartoony and magical qualities of the Disney film, aiming to create a realistic medieval world for the fairytale. I believe he achieved this objective brilliantly, staying faithful to the details and themes of the Grimm tale.
When the movie begins, Sanders adheres to the original symbolism of the fairytale by focusing on the three colors—white, red, and black—that define Snow White’s character. The scene where Snow White’s mother pricks her finger on a rose, causing three drops of blood to fall onto the snow, is a direct nod to the Grimm’s phrase, “Child white as snow, red as blood, and as black as the wood in this frame.” These colors represent the cycle of life: white for innocence, red for sexual maturation and passion, and black for death. Snow White’s journey mirrors this cycle, starting as a young innocent girl, maturing into a woman, and then entering a death-like sleep before being awakened by the prince.
In addition to the color symbolism, Sanders’ film touches on the queen’s three attempts on Snow White’s life, each representing a different color and part of life. Although only the third attempt with the poisoned apple is shown, the original tale includes a corset (white for breath and innocence), a poisoned comb (black for death), and the apple (red for passion and maturity). This underscores the inescapable cycle of life and death, showing how each generation makes way for the next.
One of my favorite parts of the film was Charlize Theron’s portrayal of the Queen. Historically, the stepmother was originally Snow White’s real mother in the Grimm tale. This change was made because it was deemed too frightening for children. The story delves into societal fears of aging and becoming irrelevant, largely tied to the desirability and productivity of youth. Theron’s performance captures the queen’s desperation and obsession with beauty, effectively showing a woman driven to evil by societal pressures. Her character is often seen dressed in black, symbolizing her closeness to death and obsession with the end of the life cycle.
Sanders also tweaks Snow White’s character, shifting her primary value from domestic skills to leadership and bravery. In the original story, Snow White’s worth was tied to her ability to keep house for the dwarfs. In Sanders’ adaptation, she leads her people into battle against the queen, embodying strength and resilience.
The Huntsman’s role is significantly expanded compared to the original tale. Instead of being a minor character, he becomes a leading man whose kiss awakens Snow White. This change emphasizes the worth of the hardworking, ordinary man, making the story more relatable for modern audiences. The huntsman’s rugged and down-to-earth character adds a refreshing twist to the traditional tale.
Interestingly, in the original Grimm’s story, it wasn’t the prince’s kiss that woke Snow White. Instead, it was a stumble during the prince’s men’s transportation of her casket that dislodged the apple from her throat, reviving her.
Overall, Rupert Sanders did an admirable job of adapting this classic fairy tale to the big screen. He retained many of the crucial aspects of the Grimm story while updating certain elements to resonate with contemporary audiences. The cast’s performances were compelling, and the movie provided an engaging reinterpretation of a classic tale.
What are your thoughts on “Snow White and the Huntsman”? Did you find it as captivating as I did? Feel free to share your opinions below.
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