KidLit Forum

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, DISNEYFICATION means: the transformation (as of something real or unsettling) into carefully controlled and safe entertainment or an environment with similar qualities.
If we think about the first cartoon based on a fairy tale (Snow White, 1937), we can say that a significant part of the original plot line of the fairy tale was preserved (the seven dwarfs were seven, not three). Certainly, new elements were introduced in cartoon like music and dance. And these elements do not affect very much the original plot of the fairy tales. The major problem is the Disney movies (and not only the Disney, but also other movies based on fairy tales) of the last decade. Many critics object to the way the fairy tales have been adapted in movies. Disney image as maker of fairy tale movies has been highly criticized, from both the general public and scholars, notably concerning the way Disney has altered the story lines of classic fairy and folk tales in their movies. For example, the beginning of the Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) movie has been significantly changed: Once upon a time, in deep winter, a queen was admiring the falling snow, when she saw a rose blooming in defiance of the cold. Reaching for it she pricked her finger and three drops of blood fell. And because the red seemed so alive against the white she thought, "If only I had a child as white as snow, lips as red as blood, hair as black as a raven's wings, and all with the strength of that rose." Soon after a daughter was born to the queen and was named Snow White. And not only the beginning is changed, but also the Snow White as character, she is rather a warrior Princess than the unhappy girl from the fairy tale.
This is the fact the real danger, that Disney and other companies entirely modify the plot, the characters and the message of the fairy tale.

I don't think the fact that Disney changed in a good way "original" fairy tales is bad, because they removed any part of sex and violence and they gave sad stories a happy ending(as Little Mermaid for example), because children need happy ending stories to read, hear and see. What they don't need is to dream that someday girls will marry a prince, because they might let life and their true love pass through them waiting for their prince, and don't forget that the "prince" is only one and not all of them can marry him. We need to learn our children the essence of the fairy tales, that simple people can make the difference if they work hard, are honest, and respectful. We should also monitor more the programs they see on T.V. because they can be influenced by any kind of cartoons, and not only...

I think that it is a good idea that Disney removed the violence and the sexual connotation from the fairy tales. I do not think that a child would like to know that Red Riding Hood is a murder or that she ends in bed with the werewolf. They need to see happy endings. I think that it is better for them to know that all things end up well. Nowadays there are lots of cartoons which promote violence and unfortunately lots of kids learn to do the same things.

Personally I like the Disney version of the stories. Not because the plotline is modifed at some places, but the musicality of the movies makes children more optimistic. The girls learn that they can be more than just princesses waiting to be saved. In the FT SnowWhite the Disney version shows a brave girl who makes justice for herself. She is prepared to fight her stepmother. I think that the little one are charmed by the new version which is more contemporary.