Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13), starring The Twilight Saga‘s Kristen Stewart, was released earlier this month by Universal Pictures. Not for the faint of heart, this visually stunning re-invention of the traditional Brothers Grimm fairy tale emphasizes the story’s darker themes, glories in good-versus-evil conflicts and epic-scale battles, and portrays a Snow White who is transformed from a naïve victim to a stouthearted sword-wielding hero.
Years ago, the evil Ravenna (Charlize Theron) bedazzled Snow White’s father, King Magnus (Noah Huntley), with her beauty, and then murdered him on their wedding night, seizing control of the kingdom and imprisoning the helpless girl. A powerful sorceress, the queen must consume the life force of young maidens to maintain her youth, looks, and magical prowess, and her malevolent machinations have plummeted the realm into poverty and despair. Now, to gain true immortality, she must devour the pure heart of the fairest in the land—Snow White.
When the young woman escapes into the terrifying Dark Forest, Ravenna sends a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to retrieve her; however, when the man comes face to face with his quarry, he opts to help her rather than harm her, initiating a course of events that will allow Snow White to pursue her destiny to lead her people against the wicked queen. Sam Claflin plays William, Snow White’s childhood friend and handsome son of a loyal duke, and Ian McShane and Bob Hoskins head up a cast of surly dwarves (shrunken to size via special effects and clever shooting techniques).
Kids can visit the official website to view trailers that showcase the movie’s spectacular visual veneer, eye-catching special effects, and dramatically dark-toned storytelling quality. Many familiar elements are imaginatively re-envisioned (e.g., the magic mirror melts from the wall and forms into the shape of a draped-in-bronze man) and fantastical beasts and dangerous monsters take the stage alongside the human characters. An i-Trailer allows viewers to access additional behind-the-scenes tidbits (Stewart accidentally punched Hemsworth in the face during a take), handsome photos, and video clips that provide insights from cast and crew about the filming of particular scenes or the portrayal of their roles. Moviemaking buffs can download the production notes for information about the film’s origins and themes, casting, special effects, costumes, and more, all illustrated with striking full-color photos.
Book Tie-in
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012; Gr 6 Up), Lily Blake’s novelization based on the screenplay, is available from Little, Brown’s Poppy imprint. Film fans will be ensnared by the movie poster cover showing Stewart in character, calmly clasping a sword and looking both vulnerable and determined. Mysterious and mystical, the forest backdrop incorporates lighting and symbols that encapsulate the story’s ominous events and nuances of bright hope. The book design sets the proper once-upon-a-time tone with gothic lettering, chapter numbers set against a motif of stylized skulls and crowns, and silhouette images of Snow White’s family crest emblazoned on a shield.
Written in straightforward yet descriptive language, the tale unfolds at a rapid pace, providing a clear recounting of the settings and action. Bits of backstory are incorporated into the narrative, delving into character motivations and adding dimension to the telling-the tragic childhood events that underpin Ravenna’s cruelty; the personal loss and despair that haunt the huntsman; the memories that help Snow White find courage and resolve. The retelling also underscores the connection that binds together these two opposites—the depraved queen and pure-of-heart Snow White—and plays a role in both of their fates.
More Snow White Retellings
Replete with coming-of-age themes including burgeoning independence, awareness of physical appearances, exploring romantic relationships, and finding a place to belong, the story of Snow White has much to say to young adults. Movie fans and fairytale aficionados will be intrigued by these vividly imagined and emotionally rich novels that expand and reinterpret the traditional tale.
A stepmother with a passion for strange science merged with old-school magic and a lantern-lit Victorian setting give Tracy Lynn’s Snow (Simon Pulse, 2003; Gr 8 Up) a fairy-tale-meets-steampunk vibe. Ignored by her father since the death of her mother, Jessica has been left to be reared by the servants on their family estate in a remote part of Wales. That all changes when the duke marries a stunning but self-obsessed woman who at first tolerates her free-ranging stepdaughter but soon feels threatened by the young woman’s growing beauty. Imprisoned by the jealous Anne, Jessica’s complexion turns pale, earning her the nickname of Snow. For some time, the duchess has been employing any and all means possible to produce an heir, and when her latest outlandish experiment requires a particular human heart, Snow is warned in time and escapes. Traveling to London, she falls in with a band of outcasts (not dwarfs but odd individuals who possess animal features) and makes a life for herself, but when Anne tracks her down and begs for her forgiveness, Snow must decide where to place her trust. Fast-paced and suspenseful, filled with imaginative re-inventions of well-known plot elements and symbols, and touched with the first stirrings of true love, this is a satisfying and thought-provoking read.
Set in the mountains of Appalachia in the early 20th century, Jane Yolen’s novel (Philomel, 2011; Gr 5-9) recasts the tale in a more modern setting, fully realized through evocative descriptions, cadenced dialogue, and multi-dimensional characterizations. Named Snow in Summer for the flowers that blossom in their front yard (shortened to Summer by her loving parents), the protagonist describes an idyllic childhood transformed to tragedy with the death of her mother and resulting mental absence of her father. Things only grow worse when Papa is bewitched by an elegant but cold-as-ice woman who insists on calling her Snow. It soon becomes apparent that Stepmama dabbles in dark magic and adheres to a strange and terrifying snake-handling cult. Unwilling to play a part in the woman’s horrific plan, Snow runs for her life, relying on her own courage—and the help of a band of small but stalwart men—to save the day. The story’s well-known elements are all present but play out in unexpected ways, keeping the plot delightfully unpredictable. Snow faces challenges that are truly frightening, but resolutely takes her fate into her own hands to bring about her own happy-ever-after ending.
Far from being the Fairest (HarperCollins, 2006; Gr 6 Up) of them all, 15-year-old Aza views herself as ugly, with skin “the weak blue-white of skimmed milk,” lips “as red as a dragon’s tongue and…hair as black as an old frying pan.” Her fellow Ayorthaians value song above all else, but despite her magnificent voice (and the unique ability to “illuse,” or manipulate her voice to make it sound like someone else is singing), her inn-keeper parents still find it necessary to keep their much-loved daughter out of sight. A series of circumstances result in Aza attending the king’s wedding, where she meets the beautiful but vocally untalented Queen Ivi, who discovers her skill and pressures the reluctant Aza into singing for her. When the deception is uncovered, Aza must flee for her life, and her ensuing adventures help her to grow in self-confidence, and realize that her obsession with physical appearances has been a waste of effort, and finally begin to understand her own worth.
Gail Carson Levine masterfully weaves well-known Snow White themes, symbols, and parallels into the story, including a magic mirror (and the menacing individual that lurks within it), mysterious potions (one to beautify and one to disguise), a sojourn with a group of allies (kindhearted gnomes), and the discovery of true love (in the person of the compassionate and clear-sighted Prince Ijori). Readers will enjoy making comparisons, while being spellbound by this deftly imagined fantasy’s gratifying humor, gripping adventure, and unforgettable heroine.
Publication Information
BLAKE, Lily. Snow White and the Huntsman. Poppy/Little, Brown. 2012. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21327-1; ebook. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21325-7.
LYNN, Tracy. Snow. Simon Pulse. 2006. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-4015-9; ebook. $6.99. ISBN 9781442408371.
YOLEN, Jane. Snow in Summer: Fairest of Them All. Philomel. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25663-9; ebook. $10.99. ISBN 9781101545881.
LEVINE, Gail Carson. Fairest. HarperCollins. 2006. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0060734107.
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About Joy Fleishhacker
