Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (VHS, 1994)

During the 1930s, the Walt Disney company made a successful series of classic short animated films that entertained audiences in motion picture theaters nation-wide. With names such as Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and Mickey Mouse, the studio forever changed the way animation was presented. In 1937, Walt and company took the medium one step further with the release of "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs", the very first full-length animated film in cineamatic history. This groundbreaking movie event has become a true classic and a real milestone in film lore. Even for 1937 standards, the images of this screen favorite shine through after over 70 years. A brilliant work of movie making at its finest, this wonderful tale brings to life the story of a beautiful young princess who is in hiding from her wicked step-mother, the evil queen. After the mirror on the wall states that Snow White is the fairest one of all, the queen is determined to do away with her. Fortunately, she is befriended by seven dwarfs (Doc, Sneezy, Sleepy, Happy, Bashful, Grumpy and Dopey), who are blessed by her warmth and generosity. Of course, no fairy tale would be complete without a handsome young prince to sweep her off her feet; in this case, it is none other than Prince Charming himself. This film set the stage for films to follow, with the studio producing over 70 full-length animated films ranging from "Pinocchio", "Bambi" and "Peter Pan" to recent fare such as "Beauty And The Beast", "The Lion King", "Home On The Range" and "Fantasia 2000". Disney's first is still one of the best.

I recently saw this video tape (yes, I said I watched a VIDEO TAPE) and was completely blown away by how superb it is. There's a reason Walt Disney's name is synonymous with quality family entertainment, and this movie exemplifies that in spades.

This is the first ever full-length animated feature, but that doesn't mean the people who produced it were novices. At the time this movie was released, the Disney studio had been producing high quality animation for many years. Some of the Silly Symphony shorts produced during the mid to late 1930's are among the greatest animated shorts ever made, even to this day.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs leaps off the screen in vibrant color, and how many 1937 films can you say THAT about? From the first frame to the last, it will completely dazzle you with intense characters, phenomenal songs, and memorable imagery. Every hand-drawn, hand-painted frame is a masterpiece, and there are 24 per second, 60 seconds per minute for 83 minutes. (That's 119,520 for those of you scoring at home.)

Snow White is such a magnificent animated film that it's often overlooked that this is one of the greatest musicals of all time. Such songs as "Whistle While You Work", "Heigh Ho", "Someday My Prince Will Come", "I'm Wishing" and "With A Smile And A Song" rate with the best songs from the greatest Broadway or Movie musicals. If you want a treat, check out Barbara Cook's version of "With A Smile And A Song" on her "Disney Album" (if you can find it), and Diana Ross and The Supreme's rocking version of "Heigh Ho", which is also tough to find but worth tracking down.

Unfortunately, this movie is sitting on a lot of people's shelves, sometimes even in its original shrinkwrap. The owners of those tapes and dvd's will scramble to the movie theaters and video stores to watch vastly inferior movies, while one of the greatest masterpieces of all time is just sitting there.

My recommendation - if you don't own this movie, BUY IT. A gently used copy can be had on eBay for less than the price of a cup of coffee at one of those fancy coffee joints, even WITH postage. Even the DVD, while pricey, will set you back less than dinner and a movie for two. With all the extras the DVD has, you could be busy for days.

If you do own this movie, WATCH IT. Gather up the family, call some friends and enjoy this true cinematic Masterpiece together. Preferably with some soup, some gooseberry pie, and a nice, juicy, shiny red apple.

How I love this classic fairytale..I was a little disappointed they left out, Snow whites Mother asking for a Daughter with skin as white as snow, hair as dark as ebony and lips as red as blood, they also left out the poison comb and the enchanted laces from the story..I was impressed they only showed Snow whites hand after she was poisoned..no sense scaring the kids..film starts out with Snow White the Kings Daughter (where was he?) doing house work..the Queen is made jealous by the magic mirrors revelation that Snow White is more fair then she..for her safetly she is sent into the woods to hide..there she is to meet her true destiny..This film has it all songs, laughter, cute animals, cute dwarfs, suspense and romance who could forget romance..a great film for the entire family..

It doesn't matter how old you are if you are a kid at heart...older Disney movies are the best. When you watch this classic you can remember the first time you went to the movies with your mom and got to see the beautiful animation on a BIG SCREEN. I will never forget that first time...this was the first movie I got to see in a little Hometown theatre in 1969 and I had to own it once and for all...just for the memories? No...it is a great movie and Walt Disney has never been the same since Walt passed away.

This is one of the best, if not THE best animated film ever made!Disney made some doozies, but this always amazes...beautiful, scarey, funny, entertaining,young and old will be delighted by this classic!It embodies all the best elements of the genius that was Walt Disney!