80+ years on, this is still a magnificent example of animated storytelling.

Rating: 7/10 (1 April 2020)

A vain Queen visits her mirror each day to have it confirmed that she is the fairest in the land. When, one morning, her validator gives her news less to her liking she determines to have her step daughter "Snow White" done away with. Her captain of the guard is dispatched into the forest with his young charge with instructions to see she doesn't return! He can't quite bring himself to murder the girl, so abandons her thinking the forest will do the job for him... Luckily, she stumbles upon the cottage of the seven dwarves - who depart each day to mine for jewels. They return home, discover her asleep in one of their tiny beds and after a bit of a bumpy start, take her to their hearts. That's basically the theme - the film has "heart"; the dwarves reflect seven differing facets of human personality but all are sensitively enveloped in a glue of loyalty and humanity. All of these are tested as the wicked Queen discovers that the girl is still thriving (via her mirror) and sets out, personally, do the job. This Brothers' Grimm story is the stuff of all of our childhoods, as is the ending to this ultimately romantic fairy tale. The animations are beautifully crafted; the dialogue of menace and humour is marvellously engaging and - at times - poignant, too. There are plenty of memorable, catchy songs into the bargain. I always preferred "Bashful" myself...