User reviews

"Snow White" is another of Cannon Films "Movie Tales" series which bypassed theaters and went straight to video instead. I really wanted to like this film, and there ARE some good things in it, but it's not the Snow White it could have been. The script is, at least, a fairly faithful version of the original story, which the Disney film, for all it's charm, was not. The music and songs (by Michael Berz) are above average and nicely staged. Both Sarah Patterson and Nicola Stapleton are well cast as the older and younger Snow White, as is the prince. The production values are equally persuasive, especially considering it was filmed mostly in Isreal. What's wrong, then? Sadly, enough to make the picture a less than "enchanting" experience. The Dwarfs are little more than obnoxious (including the late veteran Billy Barty) and there is an abundance of out of place humor which does nothing but jar the mood. But what really does the film in dramatically, is the portrayal of the evil Queen, here played by the usually magnificent Diana Rigg. It's the fault of the script that the character is written in such an over the top manner, but Rigg hams it up for all she is worth. Her costumes are almost all hideous, adding to the lampooning of the character (who must be taken seriously, if the story is to make sense.) Yes, by the climax of the movie the story switches to a "darker" mood, but, by then it's too late. Musical or not, there is no reason to add burlesque to a classic story. "Snow White" might better have been left on the shelf.

A prince encounters a sleeping beauty in a glass coffin in the forest. Seven dwarfs emerge to explain that she's under a spell. Snow White was born to the loving King and Queen. After the Queen's death, the King remarries. The new Evil Queen (Diana Rigg) orders the Hunter to kill Snow White while on a hunting trip. He takes pity on her and sent her off to hide in the forest while lying about her death to wild animals. She finds shelter with the dwarfs. The King dies in battle. The Evil Queen is told by her Magic Mirror that Snow White is still the fairest. She tries to curse Snow White several times and finally with a poison apple.

This has that Golan-Globus style and is slightly better than most of those movies. The production is still second rate. The actors are workmanlike. Diana Rigg is a fine villain. Sarah Patterson is lovely but she isn't asked to do much and is only in half of the movie anyways. Same can be said of Nicola Stapleton. It does have a couple of interesting ideas for any new live action Snow White movie but Disney has nothing to fear.