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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney's Classic Animated Film
Released in 2012, in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , this book tells the fascinating story of the making of Walt Disney's groundbreaking animated classic. More than 250 artworks, including rarely seen concept sketches, background paintings, and cels illustrate the genius of Walt Disney and the creative vision of the artists who produced a beloved milestone in cinematic history.
In 1933, Walt Disney was a rising star in the world of animation, just beginning to become a household name. Ambitious new ideas emerged from the Disney studio on a regular basis, and the film world waited eagerly to see what the creative young filmmaker would do next. The answer surprised them a full-length animated feature film, based on the traditional tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs . The production took three years and the talents of many of Hollywood’s top artists . . . and, of course, created one of the best-loved classics of all time. This book, based on a ground-breaking exhibition of both familiar and never-before-seen art from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, walks the reader scene by scene through the movie, accompanying the art with behind-the-scenes stories about the film’s production.
The book features over 200 pieces of art, many reproduced from original concept sketches, background paintings, and production cels, as well as alternate character concepts, deleted scenes, and step-by-step process shots.
In 1933, Walt Disney was a rising star in the world of animation, just beginning to become a household name. Ambitious new ideas emerged from the Disney studio on a regular basis, and the film world waited eagerly to see what the creative young filmmaker would do next. The answer surprised them a full-length animated feature film, based on the traditional tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs . The production took three years and the talents of many of Hollywood’s top artists . . . and, of course, created one of the best-loved classics of all time. This book, based on a ground-breaking exhibition of both familiar and never-before-seen art from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, walks the reader scene by scene through the movie, accompanying the art with behind-the-scenes stories about the film’s production.
The book features over 200 pieces of art, many reproduced from original concept sketches, background paintings, and production cels, as well as alternate character concepts, deleted scenes, and step-by-step process shots.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2012
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867 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 19, 2020
Une lecture interessante mais la version française est truffée de fautes d’accords - tellement que ça en perturbe la lecture. Préférez la VO si possible :)
February 10, 2013
When I first found out about this book celebrating the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, I knew I had to have it because the movie has a very special place in my Disney fangirl heart. As an avid Disney (and animation) fan, and the granddaughter of a woman who loved all things Dopey from the first time she saw the movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney's Classic Animated Film does not disappoint. The book takes you from the very beginning when Walt decided he wanted to make the film and what influenced the form the story took, all the way to when it was released and even beyond. Along the way you learn which animators had large parts to play in bringing it to the screen, methods they used, and scenes and visual gags that weren't included. The artwork does a good job of telling the story all on its own, from the different designs for Snow White to comparative drawings of the Queen and her alter-ego, the Witch.
If any plans arise to release similar books for Walt Disney's other animated features, I will be one of the first in line to purchase them.
If any plans arise to release similar books for Walt Disney's other animated features, I will be one of the first in line to purchase them.
March 6, 2014
Such a work of compiled archival "ruffs", storyboards, animation drawings, and final cels! I loved reading how certain individual animators (like Ham Luske and Grim Natwick) handled the workloads of ths film endeavor. There were even two major units for drawing Snow White close-up and for figure movements (all referenced from Majorie Belcher)! I loved learning about the choices that were made to focus on the story. And I loved seeing different concept artists like Ferdinand Horvath and Gustaf Tenggren with their lovely art shown. I only wish there had been a few more details on why some scenes were switched out with others. And of course there was no mention of the supposed Prince "shimmy" caused on a cel that supposedly was kept in the film (whether it's myth or a reality). But still this is an extensive look in the animation process that the film went through to become the masterpiece many know it as today.
August 12, 2013
Snow White isn't even my favorite Disney movie. Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast are much stronger contenders. I would be absolutely thrilled to see them get the same treatment that Snow White gets here.
This book is absolutely full of art from every stage of the development of Snow White: concept art, storyboards, ruffs, and finished cels. Absolutely gorgeous stuff. I think we all tend to forget, more than 75 years later, what a breakthrough Snow White was as a film. What this book showed me, more than anything else, was the sheer amount of thought, and second thoughts, that went into making the movie.
A must for fans of Disney animation, especially for anyone interested in the process as well as the end product.
This book is absolutely full of art from every stage of the development of Snow White: concept art, storyboards, ruffs, and finished cels. Absolutely gorgeous stuff. I think we all tend to forget, more than 75 years later, what a breakthrough Snow White was as a film. What this book showed me, more than anything else, was the sheer amount of thought, and second thoughts, that went into making the movie.
A must for fans of Disney animation, especially for anyone interested in the process as well as the end product.
September 9, 2014
Absolutely stunning book...rich with history, trivia, color, magic, and all that is Disney. It also includes actual painted cells used in the film ... which I found fascinating.
This was a lovely book to have sitting on the coffee table and to 'thumb through' when there were some spare moments.
Highly recommend (not so much for kids - though they'll, of course, like the pictures as they show the progression from sketch to final animation painting.
This was a lovely book to have sitting on the coffee table and to 'thumb through' when there were some spare moments.
Highly recommend (not so much for kids - though they'll, of course, like the pictures as they show the progression from sketch to final animation painting.
September 17, 2018
This book is incredible! The artwork is amazing!
November 12, 2023
It was ok. Was expecting and wanted much more sketches and the animation progress of it all. Could do without all the photographs and the produced coloring books albums etc that there weren't any need for that. The process of creating the film was nice to read and all the names of the dwarfs that went into it and whatnot.
If you're a fan of Disney films, take a look at it, other than that, it makes a nice coffee table book.
If you're a fan of Disney films, take a look at it, other than that, it makes a nice coffee table book.
December 4, 2018
It was really fun to pick up some of the details about the technical aspects of the film, such as a pillar from the wishing well being missing in a cel so that Snow White could walk behind it.
I also liked seeing how much things changed, in plot and visually in regards to characters and settings.
A good read for any Disney fan.
I also liked seeing how much things changed, in plot and visually in regards to characters and settings.
A good read for any Disney fan.
December 22, 2020
Interesante muestra del proceso creativo en el primer largometraje de Disney. El arduo trabajo e ingeniosa creatividad de un equipo que buscaba impactar a todos los públicos en 1937; curioso que la banda sonora de esta película animada que hoy en día vemos para los más pequeños, fue un éxito en el público adulto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2021
A fascinating journey to discover the making of a movie who changed the cinema forever
January 31, 2019
It's a shame that the film that gave Walt his true running start is all but forgotten by the Disney fans/community. I'll admit that the movie doesn't have as much substance or a powerful message like Inside Out or Zootopia, but it's still a cute and charming movie.
I absolutely love/find it fascinating when I read/see anything regarding how animation is made. It's especially true in this one since computers and advanced technology weren't even thought of back then! It's evident how much work was put into making this film.
However, this being said, I found this one . . . interesting. It was a bit too long for my tastes, but I did enjoy seeing/reading about the process the staff and Walt took to make this film.
I absolutely love/find it fascinating when I read/see anything regarding how animation is made. It's especially true in this one since computers and advanced technology weren't even thought of back then! It's evident how much work was put into making this film.
However, this being said, I found this one . . . interesting. It was a bit too long for my tastes, but I did enjoy seeing/reading about the process the staff and Walt took to make this film.
January 25, 2014
A really informative book on the making of the movie. I especially liked the reproductions of the art that went into the making of the movie, from concept sketches to tight animation drawings. One favorite was an early sketch of the dwarfs, with round heads! No jowly cheeks like Disney has done ever since.
I picked up the book after seeing the exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum. If I hadn't, I might have given the book five stars, but it's tough to compete with seeing the real things! Along with the videos and other memorabilia that they could display as well. But in the absence of the exhibit, it's a great book, and I was glad I could get it after being in the museum.
I picked up the book after seeing the exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum. If I hadn't, I might have given the book five stars, but it's tough to compete with seeing the real things! Along with the videos and other memorabilia that they could display as well. But in the absence of the exhibit, it's a great book, and I was glad I could get it after being in the museum.
January 24, 2013
I am a serious Disney nerd! I love pretty much everything about Disney, including the behind the scenes stuff. Snow White was such an innovative movie, and one that opened so many doors in the animated world. This book is a wonderfully written and detailed account and the creation of Walt Disney's masterpiece. Not only does it allow the reader to fall in love with the characters all over again, it allows the reader to fall in love with its creators. I truly enjoyed reading this book and learning as much as I did to gain a better understand of one of my most beloved Disney Classics.
August 14, 2016
See full review here
I must admit I have a weakness for character sketches and development art. Of all of the “Art of” books I have devoured, this remains the best display of the process. If you want more than just sketches and screen caps (though this book is, in fact, spilling over with such things) definitely give this book a look. Photos that inspired the art, the art itself, the process of creating the animation before we had the ability to make 3-D movies…amazing work.
I must admit I have a weakness for character sketches and development art. Of all of the “Art of” books I have devoured, this remains the best display of the process. If you want more than just sketches and screen caps (though this book is, in fact, spilling over with such things) definitely give this book a look. Photos that inspired the art, the art itself, the process of creating the animation before we had the ability to make 3-D movies…amazing work.
November 9, 2014
I bought this book in the hopes that it would encourage me to appreciate the film a bit more than I do. (The film has always been slightly off-putting because I find the Queen ABSOLUTELY terrifying.) The story of Snow White has always been fascinating for me, especially the dichotomy of the heroism of the prince and the Huntsman. (You can probably guess with whom my favor lies by my choice of capitalization.) This book has made me see the film as a piece of art that was truly revolutionary for its time. Highly recommended.
January 21, 2013
Too cool. Love it. Gave it to my partner who is really into Disney art, especially the wicked queens. He loves it.
A must for anyone who is into Disney artwork, especially the classic animated features.
A must for anyone who is into Disney artwork, especially the classic animated features.
February 7, 2013
Happy 75th! I funnily enough finished this on the weekend, just a few days before the anniversary. As a film buff, a Snow White fanatic and a Disney diehard, this book is a must have for any true fan.
August 4, 2014
Elegant and wonderful book, I'm so happy that I decided to buy it, took me so long to finish it but I was enjoying every page ^_^
June 10, 2013
Beautiful pictures.
August 12, 2013
Beautiful, beautiful art in here. Really stunned by this book. The cel reproductions are gorgeous.
March 29, 2015
A book that is filled with beautiful artwork from Disney's first animated feature.
June 17, 2015
Loved this book. Beautiful selection of pictures - cels, sketches, backgrounds. Really helped me appreciate how much work it took to make the movie.
December 5, 2015
This was an interesting read. Extraordinarily detailed and gorgeous, I enjoyed learning about the making of the Queen and the witch the most
November 30, 2015
The classic Disney tale of Snow White. This is a great book to introduce to young readers and help teach diversity.
December 23, 2016
Que belleza de pinturas, walt Disney tenia una imaginacion y una perseverancia increible
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews