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Snow White: A Tale of Terror

Snow White: A Tale of Terror

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Blanca Nieves
Review: Creepy, dark, and beautiful at the same time!
A master piece of FILM, known by few.
The photography and costumes are beautiful, and the "seven" friends of the forest are fantastic, aggressive and beautiful!
I am happy having this DVD. Try to rent it first.
The best of all, is that Snow White gives her heart to one of the SEVEN aggressive and beautiful men of the forest! I think that's great! She chose a "PRINCE" at heart, even though he may look dirty and very aggressive and with a scar in his face and soul. That's the point! Love can tame a beast! True Love is able to beautify and heal the broken heart and the aggresive soul of a homeless man of the forest! That's Beautiful! Snow White became a saved savior for the heart of that man of the forest.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Grimmer than Grimm
Review: The cutesy Disney cartoon this ain't. Although the BASIC story structure remains, SNOW WHITE: A TALE OF TERROR is an interpretation that is much closer in tone and mood to the original somber tale by the Brothers Grimm, and in many ways it is actually even darker. Instead of a kiddie flick, then, what director Michael Cohn and crew serve up is a top-notch gothic horror film.

In this gloomier version of the famous fable, many of the familiar elements are wryly skewed. For example, the seven men who house the heroine (here called Lilliana, or Lilli, rather than Snow White) during her sojourn in the forest are not cutsie dwarves--although one is actually dwarfish--but are instead a bunch of grubby, ruffians who earn their living working mines. At first they want to use the girl to obtain a ransom from her wealthy father, but they soon develop a sort of fatherly affection for her. Another clever twist occurs when the hero revives Lilli after she has fallen comatose from eating the cursed apple. Instead of awakening her with an enchanted kiss, he repeatedly pushes on her midriff out of desperation, thereby dislodging the piece of fruit with a sort of primitive version of the Heimlich Maneuver. Such changes in narrative and characterization are perceptively clever and make the tale much more realistic and believable than its animated ancestor. However, despite this deliciously sardonic tweaking, remaining at the story's core is its familiar and enduring moral, to wit, that basic goodness will always triumph over hatefulness and vanity because the latter are ultimately self-destructive.

In the role of the wicked stepmother (as well as her evil mirror's reflection), Sigourney Weaver delivers a superbly malevolent performance as she schemes to destroy her beautiful stepdaughter. The lovely Monica Keena--most recently seen by horror fans playing the buxom Lori Campbell in 2003's FREDDY VS. JASON--does a very affecting job as the object of Weaver's disdain (i.e., Lilli), and Gil Bellows is very convincing and interesting as the hero and tacit love interest. Sam Neill does a fine job as the heroine's mostly clueless father, and the film's realism is further bolstered by outstanding supporting performances from talents like Brian Glover, Frances Cuka, David Conrad, Anthony Brophy, Christopher Bauer, and numerous others.

With SNOW WHITE: A TALE OF TERROR, director Michael Cohn and scripters Tom Szollosi & Deborah Serra recreate the tenebrous tone of the Grimm Brother's original story while, at the same time, they subtly thumb their noses at the saccharine, white-washed Disney interpretation. Mike Southon's beautiful cinematography is deliberately on the warm side of the spectrum, generating a autumnal ambiance perfectly suited to the plot. And the creative art direction by Peter Russell, outstanding pseudo-medieval production design of Gemma Jackson, and clever "period" costume designs from Marit Allen and Charles Knode add detail to the film that greatly enhances both the spooky ambiance and the fairy-tale quality of this twisted fable.

The DVD from Universal Studios Home Video offers a clean, crisp digital transfer in the original widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1. (Alas, it is only letterbox widescreen and not anamorphic, but it still looks beautiful.) The only real bonus feature is a trailer for the film, which curiously identifies it using one of its numerous alternate titles. The disc is very reasonably priced, though, so fans of old-fashioned gothic horror or grim Grimm fairy tales are hereby advised to add SNOW WHITE: A TALE OF TERROR to their collections.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Perfect Snow White for Big Kids!
Review: Monica Keena is the INCREDIBLY beautiful Lilliana, daughter of a newly remarried nobleman/widower (played by Sam Neill), and living in a European land just coming out of the medieval era. Lilli's new stepmother, Claudia (Sigourney Weaver), is obsessed with her own vanity, in more ways than one. She is determined that no one around her will be as attractive as she, or steal her new husband's attention away from her for even a moment. Soon, Claudia is with child, and when the baby is born dead, Claudia places all her anger and blame on Lilli. In her distraught condition, a new character emerges to take advantage of the situation. Something evil lives within the doors of Claudia's heirloom Vanity. Her mother's wicked mirror begins to tempt and guide Claudia into a life of cruelty and witchcraft. In no time, she has Lilli running for her life at every turn. The lovely young girl soon finds herself living with a nest of outcasts in the forest, who spend their days working in a mine, and their nights in unrest. At first they are cruel to the girl, whom they see as a spoiled "princess," but after saving her more than once, and at much sacrifice, they grow to love her. But the wicked Claudia has a final trick up her sleeve, an apple that will put Lilli in her coffin, and test the loyalty of her newfound friends.

Snow White: A Tale of Terror, is one of the best versions of the classic fairytale I have ever seen (second only to the Disney telling)! Without discarding the black magic, this live-action Snow White story takes a much more realistic view on the events of the well-known fable. The film works perfectly as both a fairytale, AND a scary movie (yes, it gets pretty intense at times), thanks to the rare and enchanting charm and beauty of Monica Keena, and the outstanding performance of Sigourney Weaver. You've never seen such a wicked stepmother as this! The characters are developed in such realistic ways, without leaving unanswered questions of why they feel the things they feel. The entire film is totally believable. Beautifully shot in perfect locations, with wonderful sets and costumes, this movie is a feast for the eyes as much as a thrilling adventure. Add this to your DVD shelf, between Ever After and Red Riding Hood! You won't regret it!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Case of the Grimms
Review: Possibly, this is the best and closest representation of the Grimms brothers' original fairytale. Unlike Disney's take on it, this film left me interested enough to go out and buy it. The characters have depth, the villains have a grieving side that makes you almost pity them, and the heroine isn't perfect, but is likeable and accepting. Plus you should see the Dwarves! The only reason I give it four stars is because I did miss one scene of it after a commercial break I was late getting back from; a lot happened in that small amount of time. All in all however, this is a movie worth seeing again, as you may be left having missed something the first time through, even if you do see it all at once. I would recommend this movie to anyone with a love of fairytales, like of not-too-horrible horror movies, and a curiosity of the supernatural.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another great dark rendition of Snow White
Review: I'm a fan of all of the darkly-rendered versions of "fairy tales". Books such as "Grimm's Grimmest", "Blood Red", and "White as Snow" are a part of my collection.

This movie is worth watching! I especially like it when the mirror shatters ;)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty Decent
Review: This isn't a movie for little kids, although it is nonetheless a fairy tale. The problem with a movie like this is that it's very hard to figure out who its target audience is supposed to be.
I'm a college student, and I liked this movie enough after I saw it on TV several years ago to buy it and add to my Fantasy DVD collection. I'm a huge fairy tale fan, so this movie is right up my alley.
It's a pretty dark movie, but of course our "Snow White" will be alright in the end, so it's nothing depressing. And it's got a hint of romance, so as a girl, I can appreciate this:) Just don't try to compare it to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or anything!
Bottom line: This movie isn't for everyone, but I liked it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: great terror
Review: Sigourney Weaver was excellent as the step mother and the story line worked for me as well. If you want to be scared, buy this DVD

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful version
Review: This is an amazing version of Snow White, Sam Neil, Sigorney Weaver and Monica Keenan are all amazing. Also really amazing is the actor, who's name escapes me at the moment, who was Billy in the TV series Ally McBeal as the "Prince"! The character is not a real prince but he is amazing in a role so completely different from his TV works I was stunned to recognize him!
Some folks are comparing this to the original Snow White tale, well that isn't really true this doesn't have too much to do with the Grimms faiy tale either it is more like what was done with Ever After. (although much scarier) a sort of what if Snow White were real. Not even all the "magic" is real but sort of trick of ancient herbology. Not so much fairy tale magic until the Wicked stepmother transforms herself but it is a very well done version of the tale. Very dark and haunting.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Darkness and depth
Review: This movie cuts deep if only you allow it... the raw and plastic love with Lilly's suitors, the pain and anguish of one losing that which they love so dearly, the betrayal...oh the betrayal...How could he after he loved so purely, take another?

The vicious hate ridden jealousy...

Sadly, the ill made, robotic moving baby... did they hit a two for one sale at Kmart?

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: SNOW WHITE
Review: This "tale of terror" is not at all sweet like its Disney predecessor, of course as everyone says, this is the version of the Grimm Brothers' tale is actually more faithful to the original text. And for once the Evil Stepmother actually has a stronger motive for her hatred although beauty is still the source of her jealousy. Sigourney Weaver is scary in this movie, it took me a while to see that it was her on both cover pictures. This movie is quite smart in its plot and not that gruesome, except when Lady Claudia rubs the heart against her body. I really loved the setting of this movie which is in the Tcheque Republic. Overall 4 stars for imagination and trying to see what was a more plausible story at the base of the timelessly sugar-coated fairy tale. The Ever After without the romance or humour.


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