Before this class, we all likely thought of Disney films as just that. As childhood movies. When we think of animated movies, we think of Disney. HOWEVER! If you were to ask us to name a fairy tale, what would we have said? Little Red Riding Hood. Hansel and Gretel. Jack and the Beanstalk.
Somehow, in the course of learning how to be critical about fairytales and the media this semester, the idea has quickly been created that Disney is the primary medium for fairy tales in the US. Then, quickly we jump further and believe that Disney IS and EQUALS fairy tales for us, since its exposure to our popular culture. But let's step back for a moment.
The three examples I gave have NOT been made into Disney movies, yet they are probably the three most famous fairy tales to Americans today. This was clearly not mediated by Disney. Also, of the first 5 animated movies put out by Disney, 3 were NOT fairy tales (Fanasia, Dumbo, and The Three Caballeros [my personal fav]). Pinnochio may fit the bill, but is certainly not in the german/french tradition that we've come to understand thus far this semester. Of the next 5 put out by Disney, again 3 of 5 were not fairy tales (Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp). The next TEN released were also not fairy tales, including AristoCats, Pete's Dragon and Basil; The Great Mouse Detective.
Certainly the effect of those movies that WERE fairy tale recreations is strong, but we must first discount the idea that Disney was a "fairy tale teller" and that his mainstay was that of Grimm's old stories. Rather, they were a combination of old tales and new, aimed toward children with a nod toward their adult caretakers, with an apparant intent on literary exposure and technical achievement on their own part (i.e. Fantasia's groundbreaking format, Sleeping Beauty's groundbreaking widescreen format, Pete Dragon's integration of live action and animation).
Thanks to the aptly named disneymovieslist.com!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I think that Zipes' attitude towards Disney is too harsh. Disney was exploring a new medium in filmaking, and chose to use the storry of snow white because t was well know to people of all ages. This way he would have a wider audience base. It is totally unfair for Zipes to blame Disney for the downfall of historic and cultural fairytales. Disney's editing and watering down of the fairytales can be explained by the fact that if Disney had included the whole story, it would have been to long in production and running time. Also Disney wanted to create something accessible to all audiences of his time, something with a happy ending and full of innocence. People wanted to leave the theatre full of hope and happiness.
I don't think that Disney intended to forever change the story of Snow White. The film medium is very powerful because it is so wide spread and pervasive in our culture. Parents now show their children the story of snow white through the movie instead of reading to them. We have let Disney dominant our idea of the fairytale through laziness.
Disney and the Fairy Tale Tradition
Jack Zipes, in discussing the history and evolution of fairy tales, notes the changes that occurred with the publishing of the tales. He argues that the printing of fairy tales robbed them of their communal aspect not only because they were then meant to be read in private rather than shared publicly, but also because printed stories could only be read by the upper classes of society, which further excluded people (Zipes 335). Zipes goes on to contend that Walt Disney effectively attacked the literary tradition of the fairy tale by making them into films, which could be viewed and understood by almost anyone (Zipes 344). In the transition from literature to film, I would argue that more harm than good is done even though the audience for the tales increases. Films in general, especially Disney films, often leave little room for imagination outside the given plotline than do their literary counterparts. While most stories, especially fairy tales, are left somewhat open to interpretation, Disney’s depiction of Snow White in her red, blue, and yellow dress and of Prince Charming on his white horse actually become the characters for most children and then adults. In line with Zipes’ argument that the film makes the fairy tale more public, fairy tales become even less private in the sense that they are no longer really interpreted personally by individual readers, listeners, or even tellers. While I wouldn’t necessarily say Disney is to blame for this development, I do think that the decreasing awareness of the fairy tale tradition is troublesome.
For Disney, Zipes notes, the plot of the tale becomes secondary to the animation technology and art displayed in the film version (Zipes 350). This means that important elements of the story and its history could be completely ignored or lost in the translation to the screen. Richard Schickel accuses Disney of “nearly always robb[ing] the work at hand of its uniqueness, its soul…” (Zipes 351). Fairy tales would thus become nothing more than a story, any story, which seems like a shame given their rich history and tradition.
It is interesting to compare Disney’s seeming disregard for the fairy tale tradition with that of the Brothers Grimm. The Grimm Brothers collected the fairy tales in an attempt to preserve and honor German history and tradition, which they believed to be manifested in such fairy tales. While the Grimm Brothers also made changes to the stories it was probably not with complete disregard for the meaning or history of the tale. Still it is interesting that the Disney version of so many tales, including Snow White, has become THE version known and accepted by so many. Many viewers perhaps even remain ignorant of the origins of Disney productions such as Snow White and the rich history behind such fairy tales.
For Disney, Zipes notes, the plot of the tale becomes secondary to the animation technology and art displayed in the film version (Zipes 350). This means that important elements of the story and its history could be completely ignored or lost in the translation to the screen. Richard Schickel accuses Disney of “nearly always robb[ing] the work at hand of its uniqueness, its soul…” (Zipes 351). Fairy tales would thus become nothing more than a story, any story, which seems like a shame given their rich history and tradition.
It is interesting to compare Disney’s seeming disregard for the fairy tale tradition with that of the Brothers Grimm. The Grimm Brothers collected the fairy tales in an attempt to preserve and honor German history and tradition, which they believed to be manifested in such fairy tales. While the Grimm Brothers also made changes to the stories it was probably not with complete disregard for the meaning or history of the tale. Still it is interesting that the Disney version of so many tales, including Snow White, has become THE version known and accepted by so many. Many viewers perhaps even remain ignorant of the origins of Disney productions such as Snow White and the rich history behind such fairy tales.
Is Disney Really to Blame?
No, I do not think so.
I personally believe that Jack Zipes is too critical of Walt Disney. Throughout history, fairy tales have evolved and conformed to the times. Yes, Disney made some changes but this is nothing new. Disney existed in a time where society wanted "innocence and utopianism" and he created versions of fairy tales that this society would want. I don't believe he hijacked these fairy tales anymore so than any past teller of them did. Disney simply happened to come upon the scene during the first time in history that one could utilize mass media and communications. He saw a marketable enterprise and gave society what they wanted at the time. That is how his popularity can best be explained. If we want to blame anyone for watering down fairy tales and erasing their rich history we have only ourselves to blame. Disney did not force anyone to idolize his versions of fairy tales he merely capitalized on our willingness to do so.
I personally believe that Jack Zipes is too critical of Walt Disney. Throughout history, fairy tales have evolved and conformed to the times. Yes, Disney made some changes but this is nothing new. Disney existed in a time where society wanted "innocence and utopianism" and he created versions of fairy tales that this society would want. I don't believe he hijacked these fairy tales anymore so than any past teller of them did. Disney simply happened to come upon the scene during the first time in history that one could utilize mass media and communications. He saw a marketable enterprise and gave society what they wanted at the time. That is how his popularity can best be explained. If we want to blame anyone for watering down fairy tales and erasing their rich history we have only ourselves to blame. Disney did not force anyone to idolize his versions of fairy tales he merely capitalized on our willingness to do so.
Zipes Response
While rereading the Zipes article "Breaking the Disney Spell," I was struck by the assumptions that are made about Walt Disney's personal character and motivation behind his works, as well as animators in general. Zipes states that early film animators had one purpose in their films: "to impress audiences with their abilities to use pictures in such a way that they would forget the earlier fairy tales and remember the images that they, the new artists, were creating for them." This statement disregards the creativity film animators used in this new area of filmmaking almost entirely. Zipes even goes so far to say that animators were trying to make themselves akin to a "demigod[s]." This theory is never backed up by any quotes or references to events however. There is no evidence that early film animators were actually trying to erase the cultural history of the oral traditions that they were recreating on film.
Also, every good storyteller changes the story in some way. This is how stories were passed on and changed througout histories, and through different cultures. Fairytales were adapted to suit the culture in which they were being told, and this same tradition happened in the early 1900s with filmmakers. It is unfair for Zipes to judge early animators so harshly - he insists that these filmmakers sought to "subsume" oral fairytales and literature as well. They could have just been putting their own spin on stories that they have heard many times, and possibly, many different versions. When Zipes analyzes Disney's influence on his early film Puss in Boots, he states that "it is clear that Disney sought to replace all versions with his animated version." This is not very clear to me and Zipes again provides no proof of this theory. However, there is no doubt in my mind that Disney definitely capitolized on the fact that he was creating a new version of a fairytale that he could turn into a huge money source. If he hadn't, then critics such as Zipes would probably be berating Disney for not grasping the "American dream" fully.
In summation, Zipes arrogant claims are not backed up by any evidence or explanation other than his own interpretation of a man's personality. Which to me, makes his criticisms on this subject quite starkly empty.
Also, every good storyteller changes the story in some way. This is how stories were passed on and changed througout histories, and through different cultures. Fairytales were adapted to suit the culture in which they were being told, and this same tradition happened in the early 1900s with filmmakers. It is unfair for Zipes to judge early animators so harshly - he insists that these filmmakers sought to "subsume" oral fairytales and literature as well. They could have just been putting their own spin on stories that they have heard many times, and possibly, many different versions. When Zipes analyzes Disney's influence on his early film Puss in Boots, he states that "it is clear that Disney sought to replace all versions with his animated version." This is not very clear to me and Zipes again provides no proof of this theory. However, there is no doubt in my mind that Disney definitely capitolized on the fact that he was creating a new version of a fairytale that he could turn into a huge money source. If he hadn't, then critics such as Zipes would probably be berating Disney for not grasping the "American dream" fully.
In summation, Zipes arrogant claims are not backed up by any evidence or explanation other than his own interpretation of a man's personality. Which to me, makes his criticisms on this subject quite starkly empty.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Assignment 4- 3.Feb 2009
Hey Brian, Briana, Caitlin, Lydia and Amy-Lee,
Below is your assignment:
Identify the thesis/the argument(s) in Jack Zipes' essay , Breaking the Disney Spell’. Do you agree or disagree with him? Justify the stance you take.
Ann
Below is your assignment:
Identify the thesis/the argument(s) in Jack Zipes' essay , Breaking the Disney Spell’. Do you agree or disagree with him? Justify the stance you take.
- Posts to be sent in by Midnight on Tuesday
- Comments on two other posts to be posted by Midnight on Wednesday
Ann
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
