Once upon a time – 200 years ago to be precise – two brothers put down a collection of previously orally bequeathed wondrous and fantastic stories that would continue to amaze children and adults all over the world.
These so-called folktales or fairy tales with their simple stories, magical characters and educational morals fascinated people for hundreds of years. The stories written down by the brothers Grimm represent the sociohistoric and cultural context from their time. As the world changes old styles of oral storytelling give way to newer ones, particularly technologically advanced ways of narration: books, CDs, DVDs, video games, cinema, et cetera. Although there are numerous newer fantastic stories such as Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, the fairy tales' timeless themes like good versus evil, love, friendship, fear and bravery still reappear in contemporary narrative media. Today these fairy stories are still engaging for children, teenagers as well as adults. However, one may not find them very often being told in gloomy, fire-lit spinning rooms or read aloud at children's bedsides any more, but rather on a huge screen with surround sound, special visual effects in 3D and lots of popcorn and candy to nibble.
One of the most popular of Grimms' folktales is S(ch)neewittchen (KHM 53), internationally known as Snow White, Snow Drop, Blanche-neige or Blanca Nieve. No doubt, Snow White is “die beliebteste, meistillustrierte, meist-verfilmte, aber auch vielfach parodierte und verkitschte Figur der Kinder- und Hausmärchen [der Gebrüder Grimm]”.
The tale of Little Snow White has been transformed into many media during the last 200 years, however, Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 1937 is supposedly THE classic feature-length animated fairy film par excellence. Since the film won a special Oscar and was one of the most successful films of the 1930s, it was a milestone in the career of the Disney studios and the genre of fairy tales as well. “Der Welterfolg dieses Filmes ist ungebrochen. Noch im Jahre 2001, 64 Jahre nach der Premiere und rechtzeitig zum 100. Geburtstag Walt Disneys, erlebte der Streifen ein Comeback als Video-Kasette für das Heimkino”.
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Fairy Tale Films
- Colour Symbolism
- Cover Pictures
- Snow White and her Stepmother, the Evil Queen
- White, Red, Black
- Silver & Gold
- Yellow & Green
- Scenery
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the use of color symbolism in two 2012 film adaptations of the Snow White fairy tale: Tarsem Singh's Mirror Mirror and Rupert Sanders' Snow White & the Huntsman. The objective is to explore how color contributes to the overall mood and genre of each film, contrasting their distinct interpretations of the classic story. The analysis will be based on a comparison of the films' visuals and will consider the role of color in shaping audience perception.
- Color symbolism in film adaptations
- Comparative analysis of two Snow White film versions
- The impact of visual storytelling on audience interpretation
- Differing genre and mood established through color
- The relationship between visual elements and narrative
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the enduring popularity of fairy tales, their transition from oral tradition to modern media, and the significance of the Snow White story. It highlights the two 2012 film adaptations—Mirror Mirror and Snow White & the Huntsman—as the focus of this study, emphasizing their contrasting approaches despite sharing a common source material. The chapter introduces the concept of color symbolism in film and its importance in shaping audience experience, positioning this element as the central theme of the paper. The long history and popularity of Snow White, as well as the contrasting nature of the two modern adaptations are highlighted.
Fairy Tale Films: This chapter delves into the broader context of fairy tale film adaptations, discussing the ongoing debate regarding their faithfulness to the original texts and the inherent challenges of translating literary nuances to the cinematic medium. The chapter explores the unique characteristics of fairy tales that lend themselves to film adaptation, including their simplicity and universal appeal. The influence of early cinema and the impact of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are also discussed, emphasizing how this film established a model for subsequent adaptations and its implications for the genre. The chapter touches upon the idea that despite creative choices and interpretations, the original narratives retain significance, and different adaptations present various cultural perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Color Symbolism in Two 2012 Snow White Film Adaptations
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
The paper analyzes the use of color symbolism in two 2012 film adaptations of the Snow White fairy tale: Tarsem Singh's Mirror Mirror and Rupert Sanders' Snow White & the Huntsman. It explores how color contributes to the overall mood and genre of each film and contrasts their distinct interpretations of the classic story.
What are the key objectives of this analysis?
The main objective is to explore how color contributes to the overall mood and genre of each film. The analysis compares the films' visuals and considers the role of color in shaping audience perception. Specific themes explored include color symbolism in film adaptations, comparative analysis of the two Snow White versions, the impact of visual storytelling, differing genre and mood established through color, and the relationship between visual elements and narrative.
What are the chapters included in this paper?
The paper includes an Introduction, a chapter on Fairy Tale Films, a chapter on Color Symbolism (further broken down into sections on cover pictures, analysis of colors in scenes featuring Snow White and her stepmother, and analysis of scenery), and a Conclusion.
What aspects of color symbolism are analyzed in detail?
The analysis of color symbolism focuses on specific colors and their usage within the context of the films. Examples include the use of white, red, black, silver, gold, yellow, and green in scenes featuring Snow White and her stepmother, and how these colors contribute to character representation and overall mood. The analysis also considers color symbolism within the broader context of the films' scenery and overall visual design.
What is the significance of the two chosen film adaptations?
The paper chooses the 2012 adaptations of Mirror Mirror and Snow White & the Huntsman because they offer a compelling case study due to their contrasting interpretations of the source material, allowing for a rich comparative analysis of how color symbolism is employed to achieve different artistic and narrative effects.
How does the paper address the broader context of fairy tale films?
The paper explores the broader context of fairy tale film adaptations by discussing the challenges of translating literary nuances to the cinematic medium, the unique characteristics of fairy tales that make them adaptable to film, the influence of early cinema and Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the ways in which different adaptations present various cultural perspectives, while still retaining the significance of the original narratives.
What is the overall conclusion of the analysis (without giving away specific findings)?
The conclusion synthesizes the findings of the analysis, offering a comprehensive understanding of how color symbolism shapes the viewer experience and contributes to the distinct stylistic and thematic approaches of the two film adaptations. The conclusion draws together the insights from each chapter, providing a cohesive summary of the research.
What is the intended audience for this analysis?
This analysis is intended for academic use, focusing on a structured and professional analysis of themes within the chosen films. The level of detail and the focus on theoretical frameworks suggest it is aimed at students and researchers in film studies, media studies, or related fields.
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- Dorothea Wolschak (Autor:in), 2013, Colour Symbolism in Fairy Tale Film Adaptations. "Mirror Mirror" and "Snow White & the Huntsman", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/275972
