Snow White
Tags: fantasy, murder

Plot synopsis:
At the beginning of the story, a queen sits sewing at an open window during a winter snowfall when she pricks her finger with her needle, causing three drops of red blood to drip onto the freshly fallen white snow on the black windowsill. Then, she says to herself, "How I wish that I had a daughter that had skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony." Some time later, the queen gives birth to a baby daughter whom she names Snow White, but dies shortly thereafter.
A year later, Snow White's father, the king, takes a new wife, who is very beautiful, but a wicked and vain woman. The new queen possesses a magic mirror, which she asks every morning, "Magic mirror in my hand, who is the fairest in the land?" The mirror always replies: "My queen, you are the fairest in the land." The queen is always pleased with that, because the magic mirror never lies. But as Snow White grows up, she becomes more beautiful each day and even more beautiful than the queen, and when the queen asks her mirror, it tells her that Snow White is the fairest.
This gives the queen a great shock. She becomes envious, and from that moment on, her heart turns against Snow White, whom the queen grows to hate increasingly with time. Eventually, the angry queen orders a huntsman to take Snow White into the deepest woods to be killed. As proof that Snow White is dead, the queen demands that he returns with her lungs and liver. The huntsman takes Snow White into the forest. After raising his knife, he finds himself unable to kill her and he spares her life. Snow White is told that her stepmother wants her dead and to get far away from the kingdom as possible. He instead brings the queen the heart of a wild animal.
After wandering through the forest, Snow White discovers a tiny cottage belonging to a group of seven dwarfs. Since no one is at home, she eats some of the tiny meals, drinks some of their wine, and then tests all the beds. Finally, the last bed is comfortable enough for her and she falls asleep. When the dwarfs return home, they immediately become aware that someone snuck in secretly, because everything in their home is in disorder. During their loud discussion about who snuck in, they discover the sleeping Snow White. She wakes up and explains to them what happened, and the dwarfs take pity on her and let her stay with them in exchange for housekeeping. They warn her to be careful when alone at home and to let no one in when they are away delving in the mountains.
Meanwhile, the queen asks her mirror once again: "Magic mirror in my hand, who is the fairest in the land?" The mirror replies: "My queen, you are the fairest here so true. But Snow White beyond the mountains at the Seven Dwarfs is a thousand times more beautiful than you". The queen is horrified to learn that the huntsman has betrayed her and that Snow White is still alive. Planning to kill Snow White, the queen disguises herself as an old peddler. The queen appears at the dwarfs' cottage and offers Snow White colorful, silky laced bodices and convinces Snow White to take the most beautiful laces as a present. Then the queen laces her up so tightly that Snow White faints, causing the queen to leave her for dead. But the dwarfs return just in time, and Snow White revives when the dwarfs loosen the laces.
The queen then consults her magic mirror again, and the mirror reveals Snow White's survival. The queen dresses as a comb seller and convinces Snow White to take a beautiful comb as a present. She brushes Snow White's hair with the poisoned comb and the girl faints again. She is again revived by the dwarfs when they remove the comb from her hair. When the mirror again indicates that Snow White still lives, the queen makes a third and final attempt on Snow White by disguising herself as a farmer's wife, an offering a poisoned apple to her. The girl is at first hesitant to accept it, so the queen cuts the apple in half, eating the white (harmless) half and giving the red poisoned half to Snow White. The girl eagerly takes a bite and falls into a state of suspended animation. This time, the dwarfs are unable to revive Snow White. Assuming that she is dead, they place her in a glass casket.
After a short period of time, a prince traveling through the land sees Snow White. He strides to her coffin. Enchanted by her beauty, he instantly falls in love with her. The seven dwarfs succumb to his entreaties to let him have Snow White. The moment he lifts the coffin to carry it away, the piece of poisoned apple falls from between her lips and Snow White awakens saying "Where am I?" The Prince then declares his love for her and soon a wedding is planned. Snow White and the prince invite everyone to come to their wedding party, including Snow White's stepmother.
Meanwhile, the queen, still believing that Snow White is dead, again asks her magic mirror who is the fairest in the land. The mirror says: "Thou, lady, art loveliest here, I ween; but lovelier far is the new-made queen", which enrages the queen. Not knowing that the Prince's bride is her stepdaughter, the queen arrives at the wedding and sees that the bride is Snow White, whom she thought dead. She chokes with rage, falls down, and dies. Snow White and the prince reign happily over the land for many, many years and sometimes traveling into the mountains and visiting the dwarfs, who had been so kind to Snow White.

Review: Sarah Patterson is the PERFECT "Snow White"!!!!.
Not since Disney's heroine glided across the screen, has Snow White been so beautifully portrayed.
Sarah Patterson (A Company of Wolves) is not only beautiful, but gives Snow White the spunky yet child-like quality needed to bring the young princess to life.
I highly recommend seeing this enchanting version of the classic story!!!.
It has gained the reputation of cult classic and is possibly awaiting a new DVD release.Starring Diana Rigg as the evil queen, this adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale is not only faithful to it's source( Right down the the eating of Snow White's liver), but tells it as a delightful family musical.
Having this be a musical made the tone lighter, instead of dark and scary like the original fairy tale.
Ms. Stapelton is exactly what I think of when I see Snow White as a young girl.
The rarest Cannon Movie Tale, and the best adaptation of Snow White ever made.
Sarah Patterson IS the living Snow White-the Brothers Grimm themselves couldn't have chosen a better one.
Sarah Patterson Makes Snow White (1987) Magical!!!.
I Have Loved This 1987 version of Snow White For Many Years.
Diana Rigg, is outstanding, Nicola Stapleton as young Snow white is...young Snow White..,and Sarah Patterson is the epitome of Snow White.Sarah Patterson is such a wonderful surprise...I couldn't have anticipated a truer character.
It has the seven little men, it has snow white, it has the hunter, it has the father...
"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.
Both Sarah Patterson and Nicola Stapleton are well cast as the older and younger Snow White, as is the prince.
But what really does the film in dramatically, is the portrayal of the evil Queen, here played by the usually magnificent Diana Rigg.
I think we all know the story of Snow White well enough to skip the summary.First, let's get the negative over with.
Snow White should have come back and told her father of the queen's scheme, regardless of what she told the huntsman.2: The 'extraordinary band of tiny little men', with the exception of Billy Barty.
There are a few others, but I think you get the idea.On the plus side: 1: The adult Snow White, played by Sarah Patterson.
Not only could I easily believe she was the fairest in the land, she had the character of Snow White down as well.
Most of the time, I'm rolling my eyes when the prince declares his love, (even as a kid) but in this case, I just go: 'Awww.' 3: Snow White's parents.
Usually, in fairy tales, life and death is a light matter, but the movie managed to convey the importance of such a final event without getting depressing.4: The sets!
Diana Rigg IS the evil queen.The songs"Were am I going","Beautiful Hair",and "Every Day" should have been in every version of Snow White ever.The queen's disquises are wonderful.The first one was terrible.Anyone could tell it was her.The others were strange.She even dresses up as a chinese woman once.Of course the old woman is one.She uses that one with the apples.Sarah Patterson is as beautiful as Snow White ever could be.I strongly recommend buying a copy.IF your store has it rent it.Go NOW GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
It is fantastic so magical and so innocent,Diana Rigg makes a grand entrance as the evil queen and she does not have to put much effort into it!
I love all the songs in it especially Diana Rigg's "beautiful hair!
shes funny in this film as well as very scary, when I met Rigg earlier this year, I was very scared of her remembering her in this role!I also love Patterson and Stapleton's performance and their lovely singing.
I've always loved fairy tales as a child, "Snow White" believe it or not isn't one of my favorates but that's just me, though I do really like the story.
Yeah just like in an apple tree there are some bad apples/ bad adaptations of this tale but there are also good ones and this is one of them.This film is kinda another one of my childhood gems, I mainly saw this on home video in my second grade class and I really liked it.
This was a volume in this series of live action adaptions of fairy tales, this volume I honestly feel is the best one in my book.Not much to say, production value is pretty good despite the limited budget Cannon as usual works with I felt they really did will with what they had, the set pieces and costumes are all up to par, even certain effects (though not many but Snow White was never an effects show) are on par because it's all practical no CGI bull crap.Music is soild though not that memorable which is the weak point of the film, don't get me wrong the songs are fun but not exactly the kind I would play on my Ipod over and over, but that's me.
Though I really did like the one song that Sarah Patterson sings, I was really supprised she could actually sing, and it's a beautiful voice.But I think what really sticks out are in the performances.
Diana Rigg is soild as the Evil Queen, and yes I have seen "The Avengers" really like that show.
She's a villan you love to dislike or even plan dislike as she really presses that wrong button; as usual is vein, narsistic, self centered, she's kinda funny there are bits of dry humor.The Dwarves are really good too, just like in the Disney version each of them have some distinctive personalities .
It kinda makes sense they would all have different names than the one's from the Disney version since in the original fairy tale none of them had any names.
Billy Barty is one of them whom is defiantly no stranger to the fantasy genere as he was also in "Willow" and the underrated "Masters of the Universe".But my favorate of course is Sarah Paterson as Snow White.
When I was a kid I had the biggest crush on this actress she just radiates gogiousness, she to me is one of my favorate live action versions of Snow, she just fits the role like a glove, not just in looks but in performance as she captures the persona which is sweet, kind, but also slightly naïve and inexperienced with the outside world as she's lived a sheltered life most of her life but has like any person coming of age to get outside their comfort zone and see the world and find love.
I do like from how the tale and performences are executed, despite predictable I actually found myself caring about what happens in the story and Snow herself hoping things will turn out right for her and get the life she deserves.
Overall, if your looking for some really good live action versions of the classic fairy tale, this vintage version is one to check out; just like the tale itself it's timeless.Rating: 3 and a half stars.
sure, it is far to be the expected Snow White but it is a nice adaptation.
Snow White was born to the loving King and Queen.
The new Evil Queen (Diana Rigg) orders the Hunter to kill Snow White while on a hunting trip.
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.
Sarah Patterson is lovely but she isn't asked to do much and is only in half of the movie anyways.
It does have a couple of interesting ideas for any new live action Snow White movie but Disney has nothing to fear..
The most famous adaptation of Snow White, and the one that will always be my favourite, is the classic 1937 Disney film.
This 1987 Cannon Movie Tales adaptation is not in the same league, but for low budget this is pretty good and is one of the better Cannon Movie Tale films.Snow White (1987) does have a few problems, with the biggest problem being some of the pacing, the film does drag at times with scenes that go on a little too long.
The low budget does show in the costumes (like with most of Cannon's film, with Beauty and the Beast being a notable exception), with some of the Queen's costumes like her horrendously kitschy disguises being particularly hideous and do not flatter Diana Rigg at all (one may argue that it suited the type of character, this viewer would argue that they don't do anything for a character who is meant to be one of the most beautiful women in the land).
There are a few spots where the humour, courtesy of the Dwarfs' slapstick pratfalls, is a touch out of place as well, though most of it is very amusing and endearing.However, generally Snow White is one of Cannon's better-looking films, with some of their most lavish set design, especially the Queen's bedroom and the scary forest setting, and very rustic and beautifully lit photography.
The make-up is also good, and there is a visually and dramatically imaginative touch with the Queen's demise at the end (see it for yourself, it is one of the most imaginatively done demises for any villain in a Cannon Movie Tales film).
While there are pacing issues it's not the case like The Emperor's New Clothes or The Frog Prince where the film is trying to extend a short story to feature length and not quite succeeding, Snow White's story is very strong and actually has a good amount happening.Performances are good, with a sweet Nicola Stapleton and a radiant and touchingly innocent Sarah Patterson as younger and older Snow White.
Diana Rigg is great sinister fun as the Queen with wonderfully arch delivery, and steals the show quite easily.
All in all, not bad at all for a low budget Snow White adaptation, and one of Cannon's better outings.
Cannon Movie Tales' "Snow White" falls squarely into that vibe, and if you watch it with the mind of a child (or literally with a child), you'll indeed be transported to a fantasy land much removed from our 21st century gritty reality & cynicism.Scenes are bright, songs are bouncy, acting is delightfully melodramatic, and the story is simple yet engaging.
When I accepted that this was a true children's film, not an adult's film under the guise of a children's film like "Wonka", I had a great time.This film adaptation, one of Cannon Movie Tales' 9 installments, is remarkably close to the Grimm's vision.
For that reason, the story may seem a little drawn out & redundant, showing all 3 attempts by the Evil Queen to nix Snow White, unlike the famous Disney version which showed only the apple.
It might be fun for you to read the Grimm's version before seeing this movie so you can see the pages come to life visually, almost exactly as the story was meant (it's only 5 pages, on gutenberg.org).
I agree with everyone else that Diana Rigg (an ex-Bond girl from the 70s "Her Majesty's Secret Service") is well cast as the Evil Queen, cruel, intimidating and oddly funny when she sings my favorite song from the film, "More Beautiful Than Me", sort of a wicked tango in a minor key (check it out on Youtube).Other songs range from fun to forgettable, but none are bad.
I first saw this film when i was a 7 year old, i've always been a huge fan of the tale of snow white and i got this on VHS as a birthday present.
Sarah Patterson plays the part of snow white well, alluring yet innocent, really pretty without being overly provocative.
The dwarfs are fab especially billy Barty who appears in pretty much every cannon movie tale film!
If you wanna go back to good old fairy tales without the cgi rubbish and the over acting then i highly recommend you check this out!
If you watch and like snow white then be sure to check out Hansel and Gretel!.
I think both Nicola Stapleton and Sarah Patterson (better known for her role as Rosaleen in Company of Wolves) did a good job playing Snow White.
At least she was pretty in comparison to the evil queen from Disney who looked like a ghost (and could never be the fairest of them all).
She used her disguises 3 times to kill Snow White.
I was a bit disappointed by the dwarfs however, they do lack some kind of personality and too bad they have all the same sounding names ending on "iddy".
Nevertheless this is certainly one of the best adaptations of the fairy tale..
More True to the Fairy Tale than Disney!
Diana Rigg (Emma Peel in "The Avengers") steals the show as the film's Wicked Queen.
Even though her costumes and hair are dramatically over the top and hideous it suits the character but the gold potato sack and the spider leg hat that she wears while preparing the poisoned apple had me thinking "How can someone who is so vain wear something so hideous even if they could?" But the song that she sings when plots to have the huntsman kill Snow White had me LOL!
Equally well cast is Nicola Stapleton who plays Snow White as a little girl.The dwarfs (led by the late Billy Barty) were hilarious!
Their scenes with Snow White were well played..
i can remember back in the 80's loving these Cannon Movie/fairy Tales so much i would get to the video store before it would open on the days these would be released.
i loved fairy tales and really liked these and they were often gone off the shelves right away because they were popular children's releases at the time.
that's why i would often be at the video store first thing on the morning of release anticipating each new fairy tale.'Snow White' is my favorite of all the Cannon Movietales.
all these guys are very cute and endearing and amusing in the musical numbers.Diana Rigg is also a lot of fun as the wicked queen.
Little Nicola Stapleton from 'Hansel and Gretel' is also featured as a baby Princess White, and as usual, she's keeper.i've always been impressed with Cannon's ability to turn out these family gems on such low budgets and with limited resources, and still acquire interesting, name actors and provide them with quality musical scores.
i guess its cheap to film in the Holy Land.i won't pretend this is the great cinema that the animated Disney classic is.
Cannon Movie Tales were a low budget string of films that had remarkably big stars in them, but were really much too corny for most people's taste.
The only other one I've seen is "Snow White", which is marginally better...
As the Evil Queen, Diana Rigg seems to channel Gloria Swanson from "Sunset Boulevard".
When little Snow White (Nicola Stapleton) is running from the hunter trying to kill her, there are random, stock footage close-ups of animals that play no part in the scene whatsoever, like the lingering shot of a python that has no payoff at all.
And for such a climactic, pivotal scene, it was rather boring and ineffective.The dwarfs are at least partially amusing, acting like a bunch of aging vaudevillians, and painfully attractive brunette Sarah Patterson ("The Company of Wolves") plays Snow White.
She brings nothing new to the part, but since Snow White isn't supposed to be interesting, that's to be expected.Normally, I write reviews warning people against bad movies.
However, this version of "Snow White" is worth a watch for its corny screenplay, bad acting, and some of the most ridiculous sequences ever.
Remember when I mentioned the poisoned piece of apple coming out of Snow White's mouth?
Don't expect Disney out of this 1987 live-action version of the Grimm Brothers' vintage fairy tale.
The action starts with the Prince discovering the glass coffin with Snow White in it.
The Evil Queen wants to destroy Snow White because her mirror reminds her that she is the fairest of the fair and the Queen refuses to be upstaged.
Anyway, Snow White flees and winds up at the house of the seven dwarfs and becomes their housekeeper.
Years pass and the Evil Queen learns from her mirror that the damsel has survived so she sets out to kill her by herself.
Initially, she laces a bodice on Snow White and our heroine passes out and the Queen leaves.
The dwarfs cut the bodice off and Snow White recovers.
The Queen masquerades the second time as an Asian woman and gives Snow White a deadly comb.
By now the dwarfs have warned the witless Snow White to not open the door and let anybody into their house.
Finally, the Queen tries again and gives Snow White a poison apple.
No, Snow White does not open the door but the Queen manages to get the apple to her and our heroine winds up unconscious on the floor again.
Billy Barty, who parlayed his short stature into a film career, plays one of the dwarfs.
Eventually, the Queen learns that Snow White survived the apple and is about to be married to a prince in an adjacent kingdom.
Again, Diana Rigg is the only reason to watch writer& director Michael Berz's version of this story