Welcome back to another examination of some of the films that inspired your favorite family movies from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Today we consider yet more folktales but also some of the most classic and well-loved characters in English language literature. Whether the characters are from classic plays or pulp fiction, you will surely find some new favorite books on this list. Let's take a look at a new selection of films in the fifth and final edition of our Books That Inspired Disney series:
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson
"I can give her no greater power than she has already, said the woman; don't you see how strong that is? How men and animals are obliged to serve her, and how well she has got through the world, barefooted as she is. She cannot receive any power from me greater than she now has, which consists in her own purity and innocence of heart. If she cannot herself obtain access to the Snow Queen and remove the glass fragments from little Kay, we can do nothing to help her."
With the success of Disney's first Hans Christian Anderson adaptation, The Little Mermaid, it is unsurprising they chose to take another look at the legendary author's beloved fairy tales. Frozen is an adaptation of the take on The Snow Queen, which is a much different story than what we see in Frozen. While both stories feature trolls and a queen with ice powers, both are the villains in this story, which sees a young girl venture into the kingdom of the Snow Queen, who has kidnapped her best friend and frozen his heart through the powers of an enchanted mirror.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
"Some people care too much. I think it's called love."
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The 1977 release of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is the first of many Disney films inspired by A.A. Milne's classic children’s books featuring his son's stuffed animals. The first Pooh release was a short film, "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.” This was eventually included in the theatrical release of the classic 1977 film. Since then, Disney has turned these beloved stories into running franchises, including television shows, direct-to-video releases, and other theatrical releases, including The Tigger Movie, Piglet's Big Movie, and even a live-action continuation starring an adult Christopher Robin, aptly titled Christopher Robin.
The Fox and the Hound by David P. Mannix
“He did not care what happened as long as he would never be separated from the Master, for he had killed the great fox, and in this miserable, fouled land, there was no longer any place for fox, hound, or human being.”
While Disney's 1981 adaptation of The Fox and the Hound is considered one of the saddest Disney movies by many animal lovers, the original novel by Daniel P. Mannix takes a much more realistic look at the relationship between foxes and hunting dogs. Disney had to change a great deal to change the novel, which won the Dutton Animal Book Award in 1967, into a family film. The novel focuses on hatred, revenge, urbanization, and alcoholism. When a prized hunting dog is killed hunting Tod, the owner dedicates himself to hunting Tod down. Copper hates Tod, and Copper's owner kills Tod's kits and mate. Eventually, Tod dies of exhaustion, fleeing from the hunter and Copper after many years. Copper himself is killed by the hunter when he must enter a nursing home. While the novel was praised for its psychology, it’s best suited for an older age group than the Disney film version.
Cinderella, a folktale
“Her godmother, who was a fairy, said, "You would like to go to the ball, is that not so?”
One of Disney’s most famous films is Cinderella. This story of a poor girl finding love and rising to become a princess with the help of her animal friends and fairy godmother is based on a folk tale that has thousands of versions throughout numerous countries. It can be traced back to a Greek folktale from sometime between 7 BC and 23 AD in which a Greek slave marries the king of Egypt. The tale transformed into the version we know today thanks to the Brothers Grimm’s translation of a Charles Perrault story, just like Sleeping Beauty.
Peter Pan and Wendy by J.M. Barrie
“All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day, when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, ‘Oh, why can’t you remain like this for ever!’ This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.”
Disney's 1953 film, Peter Pan, was adapted from the stage play by J.M Barrie, Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. Barrie also wrote two books featuring Peter: Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens and Peter and Wendy, which borrows heavily from the play. Barrie’s play was first staged in 1907, but he continued to revise and edit the script until it was finalized in 1928. Barrie explored Peter's character throughout his career, from his first appearance in The Little White Bird in 1902.
Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
“I am Tarzan of the Apes. I want you. I am yours. You are mine. We live here together and are always in my house. I will bring you the best of fruits, the tenderest deer, and the finest meats that roam the jungle. I will hunt for you. I am the greatest of the jungle fighters. I will fight for you. I am the mightiest of the jungle fighters. You are Jane Porter; I saw it in your letter. When you see this, you will know that it is for you and that Tarzan of the Apes loves you.”
Tarzan is a character who has more primary works written about him than perhaps any other character in this series. Edgar Rice Burroughs originated the character in 1912 with Tarzan of the Apes. He continued to write about him for the rest of his career, with more partial stories being completed and released after his death. With Tarzan being one of the most well-known characters of classic literature, it’s interesting to consider that Disney’s other Burroughs adaptation, a live-action version of his Barsoom science fiction series, John Carter, was a commercial and critical flop.
