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Snow White - A Tale Of Terror Details

1996 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 864 members

From its dark and complex themes to its archetypal imagery, the Grimm fable of the innocent and beautiful Snow White has captured readers for centuries, but it has not often been given accurate treatment on film. SNOW WHITE: A TALE OF TERROR attempts to do this with magnificent performances, stunning Gothic scenery and costumes,.. Read more

Starring Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill, Gil Bellows, Monica Keena
Director Michael Cohn
Genres Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

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Snow White - A Tale Of Terror

From its dark and complex themes to its archetypal imagery, the Grimm fable of the innocent and beautiful Snow White has captured readers for centuries, but it has not often been given accurate treatment on film. SNOW WHITE: A TALE OF TERROR attempts to do this with magnificent performances, stunning Gothic scenery and costumes, and a well-crafted script that brings out the nuances in the original story. Seven years after a tragic accident has killed his wife just as she is giving birth, Frederick Hoffman (Sam Neill) who alone cares for their daughter Lilli (Taryn Davis as the younger and Monica Keena as the older) remarries Lady Claudia (Sigourney Weaver). Claudia arrives at his estate, bringing with her a creepy, intricately carved mirror. She has also brought along her mute brother (Miroslav Taborsky). It is not long before this eager stepmother and the wary daughter are locked in an endless cycle of jealously and hurt feelings. Reading into the deeper, psychological implications of this complex family situation, and the story's many symbolic elements (the poison apple, the outcast hermitlike woodsmen), the film is both visually graphic and emotionally subtle. Not for children, this SNOW WHITE is for thinking adults who enjoy more than one good scare.

Starring Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill, Gil Bellows, Monica Keena
Director Michael Cohn
Studio UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK
Run time DVD: 1 hr 36 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 06 Feb 2006
Production year: 1996
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of Snow White - A Tale Of Terror

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    The dwarfs are barbaric outcasts — scarred, simple-minded and branded — in this intriguing revision of the Grimm Brothers dark fairy tale that's given a richly textured Hammer horror look by director Michael Cohn. All Disney expectation is turned on its head as the tale's sexual tensions and bloody obsessions are accentuated, resulting in a highly sinister fable that's too sombre for children and too light in the fright department for adults. However, Sigourney Weaver gives the performance of her career as Claudia the wicked stepmother. Does her mirror merely reflect the ravings of a deluded mad woman? Or is it really a supernatural entity? That you are never sure is testament to the subtle shadings and psychological resonance of Weaver's portrayal.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • An interesting attempt to take the familiar story of Snow White back to its Gothic and grotesque roots; unfortunately, it is not successful, just something to frighten the children.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Snow White - A Tale Of Terror

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Snow White as it should be

    This film is amazing. It is truly dark and evil. Snow White isn't exactly the Princess shes made out to be in the Disney version, she comes across as a spoilt little brat in this version. No wonder her step mum gos off on one. Actually in fact you feel sorry for Weavers charecter. After the tragic event Weaver turns nasty. Weavers acting skills shine in this film. She is amazing. It unlike any charecter shes done before. The costumes and the set are very well done and Weaver is almost unrecognisable as the creepy old granny who gives her the apple. The dwafs arn't friendly either threating to eat and rape Snow White. Thsi is the best Snow White ever and well worth a watch.

      • Jacqueline Atkins from Ramsgate, England
      • Posted 11 Aug 2005 13:55

  • Most recent members' review of Snow White - A Tale Of Terror

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Good Film.

    This film is amazing. It is truly dark and evil. Snow White isn't exactly the Princess shes made out to be in the Disney version, she comes across as a spoilt little brat in this version.

    This is worth a watch.

      • A customer from Essex.
      • Posted 25 May 2006 10:48

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Rating breakdown

864 Member ratings
  • 100
53
  • 90
46
  • 80
105
  • 70
131
  • 60
198
  • 50
123
  • 40
82
  • 30
49
  • 20
45
  • 10
32

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