How much has Disney changed the original stories?

As a lot of Disney animations are actually adapted stories from books, I wondered if the themes and issues represented could really be called signatures of Disney if they originally came from someone else. So I decided to read the original stories and find out how much Disney made it's own.

SNOW WHITE

The 1812 folk tale first published in Germany, "Sneewitchen", or "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was written by the Brothers Grimm. The main differences between the original story and the Disney version are as follows :

• Snow White's mother wishes for her in the beginning of the original story after seeing her blood drip onto the snow outside, as she was stood at an ebony window frame. Her mother then dies when Snow White is born, and her father re-marries a year later.
• In the original tale, Snow White's step mother develops a hatred for her from the time she is seven, and the mirror states that she is more beautiful than the Queen. This festers for years before she does anything sinister.
• Snow White doesn't have a bond with animals in the Brothers Grimm version, and the dwarfs are not dirty or untidy at all. Although they let her live in their house on the condition she sews, knits, cleans and cooks for them.
• In the original story, the Queen eats the boars heart that the huntsman gives her after he lets Snow White escape.
• The Queen has three attempts of killing Snow White in the original story, first by offering to fit her bodice with new laces, and pulling them so tight that she passes out, (the seven dwarfs cut her free), second by poisoning a comb, and pushing it into her hair, (the seven dwarfs pull it out and the effect wears off), and third, by poisoning one half of an apple, and tricking her into trusting her by eating one half of the apple. - The seven dwarfs cannot save her and create a crystal coffin for her, like in the Disney film.
• In the original story, Snow White doesn't meet the Prince until she wakes up. He sees her in her coffin, falls in love with her and asks the seven dwarfs if they will let him take her home where he will gaze upon her and look after her. They agree after taking pity on him, but when his servants pick up her coffin and start taking her away, one trips, and the poisoned apple fell out of Snow White's throat, awakening her.
• It is not true loves kiss that wakes Snow White in the original story, although when she awakens, the Prince proposes, and she agrees.
• The evil Queen is invited to the wedding in the original tale, and she is given red hot shoes that make her dance for the rest of her life.

CINDERELLA

Cinderella is a story originally written by a french poet named Charles Perrault in 1729. It is not far different from the Disney animated version, however there are a few differences:

• The original Cinderella doesn't speak to the animals, they are only brought into the story when they are being turned into coachmen and footmen for her, and that is the only role they play (no friendship involved)
• Cinderella is invited back to a second ball after meeting the Prince at the first one, where as in Disney's version there is just one ball to attend.
• In the Disney animation, Cinderella leaves her life behind to live with the Prince in the palace, where-as in Perrault's version, Cinderella gives both her step-sisters a Lord to court with, a lodging at the palace each, and tells them she forgives them with all her heart after they beg her.
• When the slipper is brought to Cinderella's house, her sisters try it on and cannot fit, and then Cinderella is allowed to try it on after she requests to - she isn't locked up or prevented at all in the original story. She also slides her foot into the slipper, and then brings out the other one and puts that on too - then her fairy Godmother comes out and turns her back into the Princess she was at the ball. In Disney's version, the slipper smashes to bits on the floor, and then she brings out the second shoe to prove herself.
• There is not a lot of mention of Cinderella's mother, step-mother, or father in the original tale after the introduction. However it is said that her father is alive throughout the tale.
• In 1812, the Brothers Grimm also wrote an adaptation of Cinderella, far less family-friendly, the two sisters (beautiful with black hearts, in this case), cut off parts of their feet to try and fit into Cinderella's gold shoe. There is also an explanation of Cinderella's mother dying, and her mourning her, planting a hazel branch at her grave which turns into a magic tree which grants her wishes- in the place of the fairy Godmother.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (LA BELLE ET LA BETE)

The original tale of Beauty and the Beast was published in 1740 by Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Gallon de Villeneuv. This was a long story of 362 pages, based directly around fairies. A french Aristocrat, Madame Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont then shortened it in 1756, and it was translated to english. This tale has many differences to Disney's adaptation.

• In the original story, Beauty is the youngest of six children. Her sisters are both very selfish and spoilt, and in the end of the story they are turned into statues until they can learn the error of their ways. Beauty's brothers care for her, and go off to the army as they grow older.
• Beauty's family (her siblings and father, no mention of mother), lived in a grand house in riches, until her father lost all their money and they moved into the country. In the Disney film, the story starts with Belle and her father living in the small country house.
• When Beauty's father is on a trip to try and get some of his money back, he gets lost on his way home and ends up at the Beasts house - like Maurice does in the Disney story, when he is taking a short cut to the fayre.
• The Beast anonymously gives Beauty's father dinner, a bed, fresh clothes, and breakfast, but then shows himself and becomes angry when Beauty's father tries to cut a rose to take home for Beauty. Then the Beast says that unless one of his daughters will willingly take his place, he will have to come back in three months to be killed. - This is as opposed to in the Disney animation, where the Beastis angry that Maurice has even entered the castle, then throws him in the dungeon, and Belle offers to take his place of her own will when she later finds him there.
• Beauty tells her father that she will give herself up to the Beast, although he won't hear of it. Her brothers offer to fight him, but her sisters are so selfish they just complain. - Beauty then goes to the castle with her father, and gives herself up to the Beast.
• The Beast and Beauty have dinner every night together while she lives there, and she enjoys his company as they are good friends. In the Disney film, it takes longer for Belle to start to like the Beast, as he is harsh towards her to begin with.
• The Beast asks Beauty to marry him everynight, but she declines as she only loves him as a friend.
• Like in the Disney film, the Beast lets Belle go back to see her father, although in the original story she promises to come back in one week. When at home, she sees that her sisters husbands, though good looking, are much more monstrous than the Beast could ever be, and she appreciates the Beast much more. But her sisters are horrid and purposefully keep Beauty longer than the week she promised, so that when Beauty goes back 10 days later, she finds the Beast dying of starvation outside. As he decided he couldn't live without Beauty.
• It is only here that she realises how much she loves him, and accepts his proposal of marriage, then his curse is broken and he turns into a handsome prince. - This is similar to how Disney portrays her telling the Beast she loves him, and her love causing his curse to be lifted.
• Gaston's character is only present in the Disney version, as are the enchanted objects in the castle.
• In the original story, Beauty has dreams of a fairy, who it then turns out is the fairy who originally cursed the Beast, and blesses their happiness at the end of the tale.

THE LION KING

The Lion King was the first Disney animation to be based on an original story, however it was influenced by Shakespeare's Hamlet. The tale was mainly however drawn together by Disney's pre-production team, who then noticed Hamlet similarities as the writing went on. Such as:

• A young Prince protagonist.
• An evil Uncle character, envious of the throne holder, and craving power.
• The murder of the King, who has been killed by the Uncle, with the blame falling on the Prince.
• The Prince avenging his father's death by killing his Uncle.

Common themes found between the films.

Royalty.

• The Beast in Beauty and the Beast is a Prince, when Belle and he marry she becomes a Princess.
  
• Snow White is a Princess, and her step mother is the Queen. She falls in love with a Prince who rescues her.
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• Cinderella falls in love with a Prince, who then marries her.
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• Simba is a Prince, who becomes the Lion King when his father Mufasa dies. The battle between Mufasa and Scar, and then between Scar and Simba is essentially about royalty, and who will be King.
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Love.

• The Beast's curse can only be broken by finding true love. Belle and the Beast fall in love with each other, despite Gaston trying to pursuade her to marry him instead. Gaston doesn't love Belle truely, but instead wants her for her beauty.

• Snow White falls in love with the Prince at first sight. He searches far and wide to find her after she is poisoned, and his true loves kiss breaks her curse. He then rescues her and she leaves to be with him.

• Cinderella and the Prince also fall in love at first sight. He too has to search for Cinderella, with her slipper, to find the girl he met at the ball. When she shows that she has the other slipper, she and the Prince marry.

• The Lion King, Simba, and his best friend Narla are said to have an arranged marriage when they are children, which they both reject, but when they are older they find that they love each other as more than friends and start a family together.

Friendship.

• Belle becomes friends with the enchanted objects in the castle, after they welcome her in and make her feel at home. They also help encourage the love between Beauty and the Beast, to break the spell, as well as protecting them when the mob attack the castle.
• Snow White has a close friendship with animals, they help her find a home, and clean it, as well as comforting her when she is frightened in the forest and trying to help protect her when she is under threat by the Queen. The seven dwarfs are also very important friends with Snow White, they welcome her into their home, let her sleep in their beds, and try to protect her when the Queen has poisoned her. Even when she appears to be dead they do not leave her side and create a glass coffin for her to lay in.
• Cinderella is also friends with animals, and can actually talk to the mice in the house. The mice and birds make Cinderella a dress for the ball, as well as collecting the key to free Cinderella when she is locked up. Bruno the dog also helps to get the evil cat Lucifer out of the way so that Cinderella can escape. Another important friend of Cinderella's is her Fairy Godmother, who comforts her when she is upset and grants her the wish to be able to go to the ball and meet the Prince.


• In The Lion King, Simba is best friend's with Narla; they get into mischieve and trouble together. When he runs away, he becomes friends with Timone and Pumba who are very important as they take him in, and stick by him right through the battle with Scar. They are loyal to Simba.
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Family

• Belle's only family is her father, Maurice. They have a very close relationship, and strive to save each other when the other is in need. Belle even sacrifices herself for her father.


• Snow White's only family is her step mother the Queen. Although Snow White is caring and sweet, the Queen is evil and wants Snow White dead.
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• Cinderella's only family is her evil step mother and two ugly step sisters. Cinderella works very hard to give them everything that they ask for, but they are consistantly horrid to her and lock her away so that she cannot have a chance of seeing the Prince.

• Simba's only family after his father is killed is his mother, and his evil uncle Scar. His mother is caring, but his uncle killed his father and wants him dead so he can take the place as King.
  

Good vs Evil - in the end of each film, Good beats Evil.

• The Beast is said to be a monster by all the villagers, but it unfolds that the real monster is Gaston, an evil man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

• Snow White's evil step mother even takes a potion to disguise herself as an old woman, as well as poisoning an apple to tempt Snow White with in order to kill her, so she could be the fairest of the land.

• Cinderella's step mother and step sisters treat her like a slave, and never let her have any happiness. If she is seen to be happy, she is given more work. They take pleasure in not allowing her to attend the ball, as well as locking her in her room when her chance to show herself as the belle of the ball arises.

• Simba's uncle Scar murders Mufasa, forces Simba to run away, and then takes over the Pridelands, sucking it of all life and happiness, treating the lionesses as slaves. When Simba takes over his rightful place as King, the life returns to the Pridelands and it is good again.

Fairytale/Fantasy

• Beauty and the Beast starts off with a voice over introducing the story in a story-book style, with still images to accompany the narration, and closes in the same way. It starts with "Once upon a time" and ends with "happily ever after." The film has typical fairy tale conventions such as a castle, enchanted objects and spells which only true love can break, romance, a Prince, a Princess, and a curse.

• Snow White and Cinderella also hold these conventions. They both start with a book opening, saying "Once upon a time..", with the pages turning as the story is introduced, and end with the book's last page reading "and they lived happily ever after."

• The Lion King is unlike the other films in this regard, however it does share some of the fairytale elements, such as the Prince, falling in love, and a battle against evil for the King's land.
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Notes on the themes and issues found in The Lion King

• Royalty - Mufasa is King, the new Prince has been born. "Everything the light touches, is our kingdom."
• Antagonist - Scar. He wants to be king - angry that Simba has been born. - Like how the evil Queen in Snow White wants to be the fairest of them all, and Cinderella's step mother doesn't want Cinderella to be a princess, but wants her daughters to instead.

• Simba wants more to life - wants to be king and do anything and go anywhere.
• Broadway style musical.
• Friendship - Simba and Narla, best friends, get into trouble together.

• Curiosity - Simba and Narla go into the "out of bounds" area beyond the prideland, like Belle visiting the West Wing after being told not to - they too get into trouble.
• Family - Simba and Mufasa are close, he also has a caring mother.


• Scar - family means nothing to him, just wants to be the king. Willing to kill his own nephew and brother to become king. - arranges their killings, Mufasa saves Simba but then dies.
  
• All the power seems to lie with the males in the film.



• Death and loss - Mufasa's death. Leaves a broken family - single parent.

• The hyenas and Scar chase Simba out of the Prideland, like how Snow White had to flee into the forrest to escape being killed.
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• Scar takes over the Prideland. Powers over everyone and everything.
• Timone and Pumba take in Simba, look after him, care about him, feed him, teach him, Hakuna Matata- the importance of friendship.
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• Romance and love between Simba and Narla.

• Rafiki helps Simba find himself and come back to be King - shows him that Mufasa lives in him.
• Showdown between good and evil - Simba and Scar.


• Timone, Pumba, Rafiki and Narla help in the battle - show that they are real friends.
• Scar blames everyone except himself - including his "friends" the hyenas.
• Simba lets Scar have a chance to go - like when the Beast lets Gaston escape, but in both cases the antagonist comes back to fight when they see the protagonist is vulnerable.
• Simba pushes Scar away and lets the hyenas have him - Good beats evil, and the Prideland's life is restored.
• Symba and Narla start a family together.
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Notes on the themes and issues found in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

• Storybook opens to start - shows "Once upon a time..." story on pages. No Voice over of narration though, and not pictures.
• "Someday my Prince will come" instrumental plays, non diegetic.
• Fairy tale - castle, enchanted mirror, evil Queen, pretty Princess, handsome Prince, spells.

• Starts off by introducing the antagonist - the evil Queen, Snow White's step mother, dark colours, evil face, dark room.
• Broken home- Snow White only has one parent, her step mother. Like Cinderella.

• Snow White - singing, pretty, feminine, friends with the animals, in the sunshine, smiling and kind - protagonist, wearing rags like Cinderella.



• Snow White sings about making wishes - she wishes for love, wants more to life, much like the other protagonists of Disney films. "I'm wishing, for the one I love, to find me, today"
  
• The Prince comes and falls instantly in love with her, love at first sight (True love). - Sings to her, romance and love.


• Queen can't stand to see Snow White happy, she wants to be the "fairest of them all" - sends a woodsman to have her killed and bring her heart back to her.



• Snow White helping a little bird, very sweet and kind - gentle.
• Woodsman warns Snow White to run away or else she'll be killed, she runs and gets lost in dark and evil woods. - Evil eyes and claws personify everything in the woods.
• Woodland creatures comfort Snow White - although these cannot speak. They take her to the cottage in the woods for safety - important friendship and trust in the animals.


• Femininity - Snow White is dainty, big eyes, small features, full lips, pretty dress, traditional femininity - "I'll wash, sew, sweep, cook.." She cleans for the dwarfs, and makes them food/sets the table. And mothers them - kisses their foreheads, makes them wash before meals, tells them a love story of her and the Prince.
• Masculinity -The dwarfs can't cook, don't wash, don't clean - negative representation. However they work hard all day in the mines, and are gentlemen to Snow White and let her have their beds. They are scared when they don't know who's in the house - but are brave enough in the end to discover her all together. The Prince is the only one who can save Snow White, he's handsome, polite, a gentleman, positive representation.

• Family and friendship - Snow White's family, her step-mother the Queen, is evil, and wants her dead. The dwarfs become like family to her, very close friendship, they try to protect her against the Queen, show a lot of love for her, build a glass coffin for her to lay in when she is poisoned because they cannot part with her. The woodland animals are good friends to her, they go to notify the dwarfs when they see that she is in trouble - they welcome her in and look after her/help her clean.

• When the evil Queen discovers she's been tricked, she creates a potion to disguise herself so she can kill Snow White herelf to be the fairest in the land. - Similar to how Ursella disguises herself in The Little Mermaid, 1989.

• The Queen is horrible to a crow, scaring it into a corner with the poisoned apple - a contrast to Snow White who is nice to everyone/everything.
• "Love's first kiss" is the only thing that can save Snow White - like the Beast's curse in Beauty and the Beast, 1991.
• Snow White is tempted by the apple because she is told it is a "wish" apple, - and she wants her wishes to come true.
• The Prince searches far and wide to find Snow White again, and when he does, true loves kiss breaks her spell.
  
• The film finishes with the pages of the story book it started with, on the page "and they lived happily ever after" to finish.
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Notes on the themes and issues found in Cinderella

• Starts with a book that opens, "Once upon a time, in a faraway land" - voice over introducing the story. (Fairy tale)
• Cinderella was just with her dad, who married her step mother and then died, leaving her with just her step mother/step sisters - Broken family.
  
• Horrible life of slavery - Cinderella is unhappy with her life and aspired for more.
  
• Broadway musical style songs.
• Fantasy - The mice and birds all helping clean and singing along/ they can talk to Cinderella.
  

• Friendship - the animals are all friends with Cinderella, - they welcome in the new mouse [Guss] and give him clothes and accept him straight away, the mice make Cinderella a dress when they see she is too busy to make one herself.


• "If you don't want to loose your bed, you better get rid of those dreams," - Cinderella says this to Bruno, but it could just as easily apply to herself.


• Cinderella is kind to all the animals, kind hearted protagonist, - she is the outcast, humble, pretty wth a nice singing voice- opposite of her step sisters and step mother. She's even kind to her step sisters and step mother and their evil cat Lucifer, despite the fact they're evil to her.


• Love is introduced with the King wanting his son to find a wife.
• Femininity - Cinderella cooks, cleans, makes tea, makes dresses, house keeping, has a traditional feminine appearance, pink bows, blonde hair, big blue eyes etc. Very polite and obedient and compassionate. The girl mouse says "Leave the sewing to the women, you go get the trimming" to a boy mouse, keeping in the traditional representation of the genders. The step sisters are more masculine and butch and ugly, although they wear dresses. They both have huge feet that don't fit in Cinderellas petite glass slippers.


• Evil step mother takes pleasure in upsetting Cinderella - antagonist. As well as the step sisters, who destroy all hope in Cinderella, ripping up the dress that the mice made her.


• When Cinderella is crying, all the animals are very sad too - showing close friendship.



• Fairy God mother is more of a mother to Cinderella than anyone else - closest thing she has to family apart from the animals. - Magic, fairytale.
• Love at first sight between the Prince and Cinderella.
  
• The King is bad tempered, but not evil.


• The step mother only wanted Cinderella's father for his money, then the step sisters only want the Prince for his money/power/status, but Cinderella's love for him is true.
  
• Friendship - When Cinderella is locked up by her evil step mother, the mice go through great lengths to get the key for her, and the birds get Bruno so that Cinderella can escape and show that the shoe belongs to her.
• Love - The Prince didn't stop searching until he found Cinderella again.

• Wedding to end - Cinderella's dream has come true.
• "And they lived happily ever after" - the book closes, again using fairytale/storybook reference.