Similar to many fairy tale princesses, Cinderella is particularly famous for the classic animated film produced by Walt Disney. The 1950 animation of “ ” achieved massive success, marking the studio’s most significant achievement since “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs“. It may have even prevented bankruptcy in the process. A well-liked live-action adaptation directed by Kenneth Branagh was launched in 2015.
As a movie critic, I’ve always been intrigued by Disney’s dominance over the fairy-tale princess genre, but that hasn’t stopped other filmmakers from creating their own interpretations. One such gem is the 1976 live-action British production, “The Slipper and the Rose,” which outshines any Disney version I’ve seen. The late Richard Attenborough takes center stage in this classic tale, with Gemma Craven beautifully portraying Cinderella herself. What sets this film apart is its impressive musical composition, a fact that becomes even more striking given Disney’s recent focus on live-action adaptations of their animated library. With the success of these remakes, “The Slipper and the Rose” serves as an excellent model for how to approach such projects with grace and finesse.
Disney’s Cinderella Leaves the Romance Out
True Love Has No Time to Bloom
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but admire Walt Disney for his innovative approach to fairy-tale adaptations. Given that these stories were part of the public domain, he had the creative freedom to shape them according to audience preferences, as long as they adhered to the traditional tales. Being a master of his craft, he chose to focus on charming, cartoon animal characters that were synonymous with Disney’s success and popularity. These lovable creatures not only filled out the sometimes sparse narratives but also appealed to families, ensuring the stories resonated with a wide audience. This strategy proved incredibly effective, with classics like “Snow White” and “Cinderella” being early examples of this winning formula, complete with their helpful little mice.
In earlier Disney films, the romantic aspect was often underdeveloped or overlooked altogether, focusing more on the heroine’s adventures. This approach didn’t necessarily do justice to true love. However, starting from 1958’s “Sleeping Beauty”, Disney began to explore more complex romantic relationships, allowing their fairytale couples time to get to know each other before their happy endings.
The storyline primarily focuses on the mice, transforming them from mere accessories to the dress and carriage, into the main characters. They become the resilient heroine’s loyal companions, while their attempts to escape the wicked step-cat serve as an engaging plot device. This strategy was successful. Not only is the movie considered one of Disney’s most beloved films, but it also turned out to be a significant financial success, preventing bankruptcy for the company following the initial struggles of movies like Bambi and Pinocchio.
In terms of romantic tales, this production stands out as a significant improvement, especially considering it’s meant to be a classic. It addresses the disparity in a fitting manner by focusing more on Cinderella and her prince’s encounter, rather than the animals. The story takes a fresh turn with a more nuanced portrayal of the prince and the intricate schemes of Cate Blanchett’s evil stepmother. All thanks to Branagh’s masterful direction, it manages to modernize Cinderella for the new millennium.
The Slipper and the Rose Presents a Cinderella For Grown-Ups
The Film Arrived 25 Years After Disney’s Animated Version
40 years prior, “The Slipper and the Rose” managed a similar enchantment in Cinderella’s love story, and as time passes, its excellence becomes more apparent compared to Disney’s occasional attempts to bring their animated fairy tales to life in live-action form. By 1950, the original “Cinderella” had been out for a quarter of a century, providing an opportunity for another attempt. This production was entirely funded by the Sultan of Omar and boasts a top-tier budget with superior quality.
The movie captivated Richard Chamberlain, a popular leading actor known for his roles such as in “The Three Musketeers,” and Bryan Forbes, who was enjoying the success of a film quite unlike it – “The Stepford Wives” from the previous year. Gemma Craven, portraying the main character, gained fame as a modern-day Cinderella when she was chosen for the role straight from a stage production of “The Threepenny Opera.” What’s more, this film boasts a hidden strength that makes it far more aligned with Disney’s essence than one might initially perceive.
The Sherman brothers, Robert and Richard, composed the songs for the film “The Slipper and the Rose” following more than a decade of work on movies like “Bedknobs & Broomsticks” and famously “Mary Poppins“, which earned them two Oscars. The brothers’ signature wordplay is evident in the numerous clever songs from “The Slipper and the Rose“. That year, they received another pair of Oscar nominations for their work, although they didn’t win. Interestingly, while “The Slipper and the Rose” may be more appreciated by adults than children, it still retains the charm of a classic fairy tale.
The Branagh film would later emphasize the romance by giving equal screen time to both Cinderella and her prince, as portrayed by Chamberlain. This approach highlights the contrast between them; while Cinderella is a virtuous soul struggling in unfavorable conditions, Prince Edward, played by Chamberlain, is a humble individual smothered by pomp and ceremony. The film begins with him returning home, a bachelor after his parents’ latest choice for a bride failed to impress: “Why do they always sound so many trumpets? I’m not Jehovah.” Throughout the movie, his songs express contempt for the rigid traditions of the court, such as “What a Comforting Thing to Know,” where he laments that he will one day be entombed in the family crypt alongside the tyrants and madmen who preceded him.
Instead of conforming to political tradition, he advocates marrying for love over convenience, boldly defying the norm. A born romantic, he refuses to bow down to traditional expectations, and when faced with what he terms “a bride-finding ball,” he’s repulsed by its superficiality. Despite his ridicule of aristocratic customs, he demonstrates a shrewd politician’s intuition and a kind heart as he skillfully thwarts his parents’ plans for him, hinting at his potential to become an exceptional ruler one day.
The Slipper and The Rose Creates a Proper Romantic Couple
Cinderella and The Prince Are Truly Made for Each Other
In the opening scene of the movie, it’s Prince Edward who appears instead of Cinderella. While The Slipper and the Rose does a great job of portraying her background, it’s assumed that viewers are already familiar with it. By starting with Edward, we get to know a new character played by a well-known actor, who sings an upbeat song to begin the story. The film then transitions to Cinderella, mourning her father and immediately subjected to hard work by her cruel stepmother after his funeral.
This arrangement significantly enriches her predicament by subtly developing the romantic aspect, whether it’s through casual banter about his royal lineage during their journey to the crypts or elsewhere. Moreover, it facilitates the audience’s emotional connection with him, making his sudden love affair with the female character, initiated by a dance and brief chat, seem plausible. Additionally, The Slipper and the Rose demonstrates an unexpectedly powerful social awareness, often humorously criticizing the rigid social hierarchy within the kingdom through various songs.
Edward’s disdain for the nobility enhances his affection for Cinderella, as their union is portrayed as a partnership of equals despite their differing social statures. The movie, though not flawless, has some excess length at 143 minutes and unnecessarily prolongs the climax with intricate plot twists to delay the joyous reunion. In comparison, the original Disney animated film, clocking in at only 76 minutes, seemed more suitable for the storyline initially. Despite this, the latest live-action adaptation runs only seven minutes shorter than “The Slipper and the Rose.
Despite minor imperfections, this story fortifies a robust narrative and introduces a novel perspective to an often retold tale. Time and time again, Disney strives to replicate this feat when remaking their classic animations, but none have captured the essence of their original stories quite like this one does. The familiar Disney-like feel is not a criticism, but rather a testament to its strengths. In an age saturated with similar attempts, it serves as a model for how to effectively bring a fairy tale to life on screen.
The Slipper and The Rose is now streaming for free with ads on YouTube.
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2025-04-19 03:21