We have arrived at Sleeping Beauty, one of Walt’s most artistic and romantic films.
The film premiered in 1959, nearly 10 years after production began in 1950! The film was not a huge success at the box office, and I've yet to hear anyone describe it as their favorite... but the story remains timeless! Sleeping Beauty's roots lie with the Brothers Grimm fairytale and Tchaikovsky's ballet. (So we've got a great story set to an amazing score!)
Sleeping Beauty aka Princess Aurora aka Briar Rose is the beloved daughter of King Stephen and his queen. The king arranges a festival to celebrate her birth and the entire kingdom is invited including the Good Fairies- Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. Noticeably absent from the invite list is the "mistress of all evil," Maleficent. She crashes the party anyway and curses the young princess with this dire prophecy: "The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But... before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she shall prick her finger, on the spindle of a spinning wheel - AND DIE!" Thankfully Merryweather is able to use her gift to the princess to change the outcome of the curse from death to endless sleep (the sleep can be broken with true love's kiss! - it's the most powerful thing in the world! Enchanted reference!).
The fairies hatch an elaborate plan to hide the princess in safety. Meanwhile King Stephen burns every spinning wheel in the land. Alas, Maleficent's curse comes to fruition, but never fear!- Prince Phillip comes to the rescue (with a little help from Flora, Fauna and Merryweather). The prince's epic battle against Maleficent remains the iconic fairytale showdown of good vs. evil and can be seen reenacted just about nightly in Disneyland's Fantasmic! (my FAVORITE!!!)
One of my favorite things about Sleeping Beauty has got to be the romantic plot twist. Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora are betrothed pretty much from birth. Alas, Maleficent's evil plans get in the way and they are torn apart for the next 16 years. A happy coincidence reunites the pair in the woods (queue dancing and the "Once Upon a Dream" duet) and they fall in love. BUT, neither one knows who the other is. Princess Aurora is in hiding as the peasant Briar Rose, and Prince Phillip is playing the tall, dark, handsome stranger card. I won't ruin their happy ending for you... but believe me, it's wonderful!
Prince Phillip is a valiant and worthy hero. I love that he plays such an integral character in this story. (Other Disney princes do not fare as well a la 1937 and 1950.) He not only battles the villainous villain to save the fair maiden, he's also willing to fight for true love. He absconds the idea of arranged marriages telling his father that he should get to choose to marry the girl he loves, "Now, father, you're living in the past. This is the 14th century!" For the climactic battle, the good fairies arm Prince Phillip with the "Sword of Truth" and the "Shield of Honor." If I ever have sons, I want them carrying around these kind of weapons! Prince Phillip is definitely a hero worth looking up to!
Sleeping Beauty is a beautiful story. While the style is more artistic (and somewhat less appealing for lots of folks), the story rings true. Good is good, and bad is bad. True love and honor triumph! There's wonderful dancing and twirling! It's definitely a lovely fairytale to get swept away in for an hour or so.
With that, I will leave you with this wise insight from the Good Fairy, Fauna:
Maleficent doesn't know anything about love, or kindness, or the joy of helping others. You know, sometimes I don't think she's really very happy.
(Disney will explore Maleficent's story in the live-action film Maleficent this summer.)
Coming Up Next Week: 101 Dalmatians
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