Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997)

Based somewhat more authentically on the Grimm Brothers' story of a young woman who is unliked by her stepmother, the film includes the talking mirror, a poisoned apple, and some ruffian ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Cohn

Writers:

Thomas E. Szollosi (screenplay), Deborah Serra (screenplay),

Stars:

Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill, Gil Bellows

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sigourney Weaver	...	Claudia Hoffman
Sam Neill	...	Frederick Hoffman
Gil Bellows	...	Will
Taryn Davis	...	Little Lilli
Brian Glover	...	Lars
David Conrad	...	Peter Gutenberg
Monica Keena	...	Lilli Hoffman
Anthony Brophy	...	Rolf
Frances Cuka	...	Nannau
Chris Bauer	...	Konrad (as Christopher Bauer)
John Edward Allen	...	Bart
Miroslav Táborský	...	Gustav (as Miroslav Taborsky)
Andrew Tiernan	...	Scar
Bryan Pringle	...	Father Gilbert
Dale Wyatt	...	Maidservant Ilsa

Storyline

Based somewhat more authentically on the Grimm Brothers' story of a young woman who is unliked by her stepmother, the film includes the talking mirror, a poisoned apple, and some ruffian gold (not diamond) miners (and they aren't dwarfs or cute). It takes place at the time of the Crusades, and depicts the attitudes of the wealthy and the peasant classes toward one another.

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Plot Keywords:

mirror | apple | crusades | castle | expectant mother | 

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Taglines:

The fairytale is over.

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some horror violence and a scene of sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Snow White

Filming Locations:

Barrandov Studios, Prague, Czech Republic

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

ITL 59,918,000 (Italy) (9 May 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Interscope Communications

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was originally slated for theatrical release but wound up debuting on Showtime in the U.S.

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Goofs

The tree Lilli picks the apple from near her mother's grave is in fact an oak tree.

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Quotes

Claudia Hoffman: This is my brother, Gustav. God did not bless him with a graceful tongue, but he more than compensates with the wit of his hands.

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Connections

Version of Cinderella (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Cum Doctorum"
Performed by Karen Hart

User Reviews

A fun and gripping tale of terror without all the gore

We stumbled on this movie by chance and have now seen it at least three times. This is a must see, and see again, and again, and again... From the opening scene, the movie pulls you in and keeps you hooked until the end. This is definitely not a movie for kids. All the basic elements of the classic "Snow White" tale are in place, but with a twist that sets them slightly within the realm of possibility. There are no cute bearded dwarfs here, and it's just not as simple as an evil witch versus an innocent girl. Sigourney Weaver as Claudia Hoffman is entirely too scary for words, while Monica Keena as Lili is a sweet but strong Snow White. Gil Bellows is highly satisfying as Will, an intense forest rogue with more to him than meets the eye. A very satisfying movie all around.