Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an undeniable Disney classic, but after rewatching it for the first time as an adult, I realized I had totally forgotten a couple of details. Disney continues to be a powerhouse in animation and family-friendly content, and though its extensive catalog also includes live-action content and more mature stories, it’s still best remembered for its animated movies. Disney’s reign started in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first cel-animated feature movie and the first feature film produced in the United States.

Based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs follows Snow White, a young princess living with her evil stepmother, simply referred to as the Queen. When the Queen orders Snow White’s death after her Magic Mirror reveals the princess as the “fairest one of all”, Snow White escapes into the forest and finds refuge and safety with seven kindhearted dwarfs. However, this doesn’t stop the Queen from going after Snow White. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stands as one of the best Disney movies, but I had totally forgotten about these details.

There’s Not Much Backstory Of Snow White’s Family

Snow White Was Born Royal

Snow White was Disney’s first Princess, and as such, she was the blueprint for all the princesses since then, but I was surprised to see there’s not much backstory to her. Snow White was born royal, though it’s never mentioned where the story is set (though it’s generally agreed that it’s Germany), and the movie doesn’t waste time in providing a backstory. The opening card in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs simply reads that she lives with her “vain and wicked stepmother”, without any mention of her parents.

It’s simply assumed that Snow White’s mother died when she was young and later her father after marrying who would go on to become the evil Queen. On the brighter side, this gives some creative liberty to adaptations of this particular version of the tale, and the live-action Snow White movie could have seized this chance.

The Queen Forces Snow White To Work As A Scullery Maid

The Queen Is Cruel & Evil

The Queen is quickly established as the villain in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but I forgot how cruel and evil she actually is. The same opening card mentioned above reads that the Queen dressed Snow White in drags and forced her to work as a scullery maid. The reasoning behind this becomes clear (but is still cruel) when the following card reveals that the Queen asks the Magic Mirror every day who is “the fairest one of all” in the kingdom, and Snow White is clearly above her.

Another element of cruelty and evil from the Queen that I had totally forgotten is how shockingly gory her plan to kill Snow White is. The Queen asks the Huntsman to kill Snow White in the forest and bring her the princess’ heart in a box – luckily, the Huntsman tells Snow White to escape.

The Prince Only Appears At The Beginning & End Of Snow White

We Barely See The Prince In Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs makes it clear that the title Princess dreams of meeting her true love, but it surprised me how little screen time the Prince actually has. The Prince appears during Snow White’s very first musical number, where he’s drawn to her singing, and they meet for the first time. After that, the Prince isn’t seen until the end of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, where he shows up in the forest to give Snow White the kiss that brings her back to life, and they have their happily ever after.

The Dwarfs Are Alerted By The Forest Animals That Snow White Is In Danger

Snow White Has A Unique Support System Around Her

While rewatching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, I couldn’t remember how the dwarfs found that Snow White had been poisoned and how they knew it was the Queen disguised as the hag. Because of Snow White’s kind heart, she has a special connection to animals – they simply love her. It’s thanks to her that she makes it to the dwarfs’ cottage, so she has a lot to thank them for. On top of that, the animals see through the Queen’s disguise, and they rush to alert the dwarfs at the mine.

Luckily, the dwarfs understand that Snow White is in danger and return home as fast as they can – unfortunately, it’s too late, and Snow White has eaten the poisoned apple. However, they arrive as the Queen is leaving and they chase her. Ultimately, the dwarfs aren’t responsible for the Queen’s death, as lightning strikes as she tries to roll a boulder onto the dwarfs, and she falls off the cliff to her death.

The Dwarfs Make A Glass & Gold Coffin For Snow White

The Dwarfs Have A Soft Spot For Snow White

The poisoned apple doesn’t kill Snow White, instead sending her into a death-like slumber. However, as they find her “so beautiful even in death”, the dwarfs can’t bring themselves to bury Snow White (the Queen’s plan was for the dwarfs to bury her alive). Instead, they make a coffin of glass and gold for her, keeping “eternal vigil” at her side. Because they leave Snow White in the glass coffin in the forest, the Prince is able to find her, and the rest is history.