Disney's Snow White Remake Vs. The 1987 Horror Version: Key Differences

Rajiv Sharma

4 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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Narrative and Tone

Disney's 2023 Remake: A Classic Fairytale Reimagined

Disney's 2023 remake strives for faithfulness to the original Brothers Grimm fairytale, albeit with a modern, family-friendly polish. The narrative emphasizes the classic good versus evil dynamic, focusing on a romantic storyline between Snow White and her Prince, and the strong bonds of friendship. The overall tone is lighthearted, aiming for a classic "happily ever after" conclusion that appeals to a broad audience.

• Romance: The Prince's role is central, highlighting a traditional romantic narrative.
• Friendship: The importance of friendship and loyalty, particularly amongst Snow White's companions, is emphasized.
• Good vs. Evil: The clear-cut battle between Snow White's goodness and the Evil Queen's wickedness drives the plot.
• Family-Friendly: The film avoids darker themes, creating a safe and enjoyable viewing experience for all ages.

The 1987 Horror Version: A Dark and Twisted Reflection

In stark contrast, the 1987 horror version of Snow White takes a drastically different approach. It subverts expectations, transforming the familiar fairytale into a dark and unsettling psychological horror story. The narrative is twisted, focusing on themes of violence, sexual innuendo, and a bleak, tragic ending that stands in stark opposition to the Disney fairytale's optimism.

• Violence: The film is not shy about depicting violence, adding a layer of disturbing realism to the story.
• Sexual Innuendo: Subtle and overt sexual themes are woven into the narrative, creating a mature and unsettling atmosphere.
• Psychological Horror: The film emphasizes psychological manipulation and fear, building suspense and dread throughout.
• Tragic Ending: Unlike the classic happily ever after, this version delivers a disturbing and potentially nihilistic conclusion.

Character Portrayals

Snow White: Innocent Princess vs. Vulnerable Woman

The portrayal of Snow White differs significantly between the two versions. Disney's remake presents her as a classic innocent princess, albeit one with a touch of modern agency. The 1987 version, however, portrays a more complex and vulnerable Snow White, caught in a web of manipulation and danger.

• Disney's Snow White: Displays strength and resilience while maintaining her inherent goodness and innocence.
• 1987's Snow White: A more realistic and flawed character, highlighting her vulnerability and lack of agency in the face of evil.

The Evil Queen: Wickedness Redefined

The Evil Queen also undergoes a transformation between the two adaptations. Disney's version presents a broadly drawn villain, characterized by her vanity and desire for power. The 1987 horror version, however, offers a more nuanced portrayal, exploring the psychological underpinnings of her wickedness and making her a more compelling antagonist.

• Disney's Evil Queen: Primarily driven by jealousy and a desire for youth and beauty.
• 1987's Evil Queen: A more complex character with possibly deeper motivations beyond simple vanity.

Visual Style and Production

Disney's Visuals: A Polished Fairytale World

Disney's remake utilizes vibrant colors, showcasing a visually stunning and polished aesthetic. The production design is meticulously crafted, creating a believable and enchanting fairytale world. Whether through traditional animation or modern CGI, the visual style enhances the lighthearted tone and romantic narrative.

• Vibrant Colors: A palette that reflects the bright and cheerful atmosphere of the film.
• CGI/Animation: State-of-the-art visual effects that bring the fairytale world to life.
• Production Design: Meticulous attention to detail creating a believable and enchanting environment.

1987 Horror Film's Visuals: A Dark and Unsettling Atmosphere

The 1987 horror version adopts a starkly contrasting visual style. Darker, grittier visuals and potentially a lower-budget aesthetic contribute to the overall unsettling atmosphere. The visual storytelling emphasizes shadows, darkness, and claustrophobic settings to amplify the horror elements.

• Dark Visuals: The use of shadows, dim lighting, and muted colors enhances the film's disturbing tone.
• Gritty Aesthetics: A less polished visual style that adds to the film's realism and unsettling nature.
• Visual Storytelling: Visual cues are used effectively to build suspense and create a sense of unease.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Snow White: A Final Comparison

The Disney remake and the 1987 horror version of Snow White represent vastly different interpretations of the same classic fairytale. The Disney version provides a family-friendly, visually stunning retelling, emphasizing romance and a classic happily ever after. The 1987 horror version delivers a dark, twisted, and psychologically disturbing experience, subverting expectations and exploring darker themes. The target audiences are clearly distinct, with the Disney remake appealing to a broader family audience and the horror version targeting mature viewers seeking a chilling and unconventional take on the fairytale.

Which Snow White reigns supreme for you? Share your thoughts on Disney's Snow White remake vs. the 1987 horror version in the comments below!