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

The role of Lilli Hoffman (Snow White) was originally written with Alicia Silverstone in mind.

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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

[last lines]
Will: It's snowing.

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Connections

Version of Cinderella (1963)

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Soundtracks

"Cum Doctorum"
Performed by Karen Hart

User Reviews

Dark Re-telling of a Classic Fairy-Tale

One word of warning, this isn't the Disney film of "Snow White" and it would be wise to think twice before letting the children watch it.

The tensions between "Snow White", here named Lilli Hoffman (Played by Taryn Davis as a child and then by Monica Keener as a teenager) and her step-mother Claudia (Sigourney Weaver) are quite well-drawn. Claudia is not completely unsympathetic and Lilli is not quite as innocent as in some versions of the story. Also the dwarfs are presented as a group of scarred, bitter outlaws.

The film sustains a wonderful medieval atmosphere and has some very good performances, particularly from Sigourney Weaver. However it suffers a lot from an unevenness of tone. It's far too dark and violent for children, but then it's not quite scary enough for adults.

That being said, horror and fantasy fans may find it quite enjoyable.