jacksondwj.com – Sleeping Beauty (1959) is one of the most iconic and beloved films in Disney’s rich history of animated classics. Adapted from the fairy tale La Belle au bois dormant by Charles Perrault, the movie tells the story of a princess cursed by an evil fairy, doomed to fall into a deep slumber on her sixteenth birthday, only to be awakened by a prince’s kiss. With its breathtaking animation, enchanting music, and unforgettable characters, Sleeping Beauty continues to captivate audiences around the world, making it one of Disney’s most treasured films.
Though the film’s release marked the end of an era in Disney animation, it also helped redefine the studio’s cinematic legacy, showcasing the artistry and ambition that would define the future of animation. With its darker and more mature tone compared to earlier films like Cinderella (1950) and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Sleeping Beauty offers a fascinating blend of magic, fantasy, and romanticism. It introduced new levels of visual beauty, storytelling sophistication, and thematic depth, securing its place as a Disney classic and a milestone in animation history.
In this article, we explore the creation, themes, characters, and lasting legacy of Sleeping Beauty, one of the most important and enduring animated features ever made.
The Creation of Sleeping Beauty: A Bold New Direction
The journey to bring Sleeping Beauty to the screen was a groundbreaking one for Disney. By the late 1950s, Walt Disney had already established himself as a pioneer in animated filmmaking, having released Snow White, Pinocchio, Cinderella, and other notable classics. But as the studio looked to continue its success, it faced new challenges, including the increasing popularity of television and the changing tastes of film audiences.
A Grand Vision for Animation
Walt Disney’s vision for Sleeping Beauty was to create something more elaborate and artistic than anything the studio had attempted before. The film marked a dramatic departure from the previous animated films, introducing a darker and more epic tone. To accomplish this, Disney sought to develop a more sophisticated, painterly visual style, influenced by medieval art, stained glass windows, and classical European storytelling.
The choice of Sleeping Beauty as the source material was also a significant one. The fairy tale, first published by Charles Perrault in 1697, was steeped in magic, fantasy, and fairy-tale romance, making it an ideal subject for Disney’s unique brand of storytelling. While the earlier Disney films were typically based on folk tales and stories with simpler plots, Sleeping Beauty was a more intricate, layered narrative that would allow for greater visual and thematic depth.
The Art of Sleeping Beauty: A Revolutionary Approach
The visual style of Sleeping Beauty was developed under the leadership of Ken Anderson, the film’s art director, and Eyvind Earle, the influential background artist who would go on to define the film’s distinctive look. Earle’s artistic vision was a departure from the more traditional, rounded animation style of earlier Disney films. He embraced the use of sharp, angular lines and stylized landscapes that gave the film a unique, storybook-like appearance.
Eyvind Earle’s bold decision to utilize geometric shapes and flat backgrounds resulted in a style that was radically different from the lush, naturalistic environments seen in previous films like Cinderella and Snow White. The entire kingdom was depicted in bright, vivid colors, with backgrounds designed to look like Renaissance-era tapestries or medieval stained-glass windows, giving the film a distinct visual identity that made it stand out among other animated works.
The meticulous attention to detail extended to every aspect of the film, including the characters’ designs, costumes, and movements. The careful integration of traditional hand-drawn animation with new artistic innovations set a new standard for Disney’s future animated films.
The Story of Sleeping Beauty: Magic, Malice, and True Love
Sleeping Beauty follows the life of Princess Aurora, a young girl cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent, who is angered when she is not invited to the christening of the baby princess. Maleficent curses Aurora to die on her sixteenth birthday after pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. However, the good fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather soften the curse, ensuring that instead of death, Aurora will fall into a deep, magical sleep, only to be awakened by “true love’s kiss.”
The Curse and the Birth of Aurora
The film begins with the joyful christening of Princess Aurora, the long-awaited child of King Stefan and Queen Leah. To celebrate the occasion, the king and queen invite all the fairies in the kingdom, except for the vengeful Maleficent (voiced by Eleanor Audley). Enraged by the snub, Maleficent curses the infant princess, declaring that she will die upon her sixteenth birthday after pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel.
The good fairies—Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather (voiced by Verna Felton, Barbara Jo Allen, and June Foray, respectively)—attempt to thwart Maleficent’s curse. While they are unable to undo the spell entirely, Merryweather softens it, ensuring that instead of death, Aurora will fall into a deep sleep that will last until the curse is broken by true love’s kiss.
To protect Aurora, the fairies take her into hiding, raising her as Briar Rose in the forest, away from the kingdom. For sixteen years, Aurora lives unaware of her true identity, raised in seclusion by the three good fairies.
The Awakening of True Love
As the story progresses, Aurora, now a beautiful young woman, unknowingly attracts the love of Prince Phillip (voiced by Bill Shirley), who meets her in the woods while she is disguised as Briar Rose. The two fall deeply in love, and Aurora is unknowingly swept up into a romantic destiny that is about to unfold in a dramatic and magical way.
On her sixteenth birthday, Aurora returns to the castle and pricks her finger on the spinning wheel, falling into an enchanted sleep as foretold by Maleficent. The good fairies, now aware of the curse, go to great lengths to protect her and ensure that she will be awakened. Meanwhile, Prince Phillip, having learned of Aurora’s true identity, sets out to rescue her, facing dangerous obstacles along the way.
Maleficent, however, has her own plans for Aurora’s fate. She captures the prince and attempts to prevent him from reaching Aurora, summoning dark magic and creating an imposing obstacle in the form of a fearsome dragon. However, with the help of the good fairies, Prince Phillip triumphs over Maleficent, slaying the dragon and breaking the curse with a kiss, awakening Aurora from her long sleep.
The Happily Ever After
In the film’s heartwarming conclusion, Aurora awakens, and she and Prince Phillip are united in a joyous celebration. The evil Maleficent is defeated, and the kingdom rejoices in the restoration of peace and love. The story ends with the implication that Aurora and Prince Phillip will live happily ever after.
The Music of Sleeping Beauty: A Majestic Score
The music in Sleeping Beauty is an essential part of the film’s sweeping, fairy-tale atmosphere. The film’s score was composed by George Bruns, and the music for the film was heavily influenced by Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet. Several pieces of Tchaikovsky’s compositions are woven throughout the film, including the iconic “Once Upon a Dream,” a romantic song sung by Aurora and Prince Phillip.
“Once Upon a Dream”
Perhaps the most famous song from Sleeping Beauty is “Once Upon a Dream,” which is featured during the romantic scene where Aurora and Phillip meet and fall in love. The song, with its dreamy, waltz-like melody, evokes the magic and fairy-tale quality of the film, becoming synonymous with the story of Aurora and Prince Phillip’s love.
“Maleficent’s Theme”
In addition to the romantic themes, the film also features a dark and menacing motif for Maleficent, a musical reflection of the character’s sinister presence. Her theme, filled with foreboding orchestral swells, enhances her role as the film’s primary antagonist.
The Legacy of Sleeping Beauty
Though Sleeping Beauty initially received mixed reviews and struggled at the box office upon its release, it has since grown to become one of Disney’s most beloved films. Its visual style, characterized by lush, stylized backgrounds and its epic tone, has influenced numerous animated films that followed. The combination of fantasy, adventure, romance, and the battle between good and evil continues to resonate with audiences.
Cultural Impact
Sleeping Beauty is a fixture in popular culture, with numerous references to its characters and themes appearing in films, television shows, books, and other forms of media. Maleficent, in particular, has evolved into one of Disney’s most iconic villains, even receiving her own live-action film in 2014, portrayed by Angelina Jolie.
Theme Parks and Adaptations
The film’s legacy extends into Disney’s theme parks around the world. The Sleeping Beauty Castle, featured prominently in Disneyland and other parks, stands as a symbol of the magic and enchantment that Sleeping Beauty represents. Additionally, Sleeping Beauty has inspired a number of stage productions, spin-off media, and adaptations, further cementing its place as one of Disney’s most iconic fairy tales.
Conclusion
Sleeping Beauty (1959) is more than just a fairy-tale romance; it is a cinematic triumph that elevated Disney animation to new artistic and storytelling heights. With its striking visual style, memorable characters, and sweeping musical score, the film continues to captivate audiences of all ages. Its timeless themes of love, magic, and the battle between good and evil have ensured that Sleeping Beauty remains an enduring classic in the world of animation and fairy-tale storytelling.