Snow White’s Shocking New Ending: What Changed from the Original?

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As a movie buff, I’m thrilled to share that the long-awaited remake of Disney’s timeless masterpiece, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from 1937, has now graced our cinema screens. In this new adaptation, Rachel Zegler takes on the iconic role of Snow White, making history as Disney’s first princess. Joining her in this magical tale is Gal Gadot, who brings the Evil Queen to life.

This remake, however, has stirred controversy due to the casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White. A barrage of racially charged comments has surfaced, fueling stories suggesting that Zegler disrespected or even hated the original film. But for me, the excitement lies in witnessing fresh interpretations and celebrating the diversity that enriches our beloved Disney classics.

Despite some mixed reactions, the movie version of Snow White is not the catastrophe that some had predicted online. MovieWeb’s Julian Roman gave it a score of 4 out of 5, praising it as “an Exceptional Fairy Tale Retelling.” Unlike recent adaptations like Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King, which closely mirror their original counterparts, Snow White takes inspiration from the source material but also introduces fresh layers. This is evident in its conclusion, where the film includes a finale not found in the original story. Here’s an analysis of Snow White’s ending and why it enhances the movie.

The Original ‘Snow White’ Ending

In the classic tale of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” I found myself captivated by the climactic moment known as the “true love’s kiss.” This magical scene unfolds when the Prince bestows a loving kiss upon Snow White, breaking the wicked queen’s curse that had caused her to fall into a deep sleep after eating a poisoned apple. The Queen, who had met her demise by falling off a cliff while being pursued by the dwarfs earlier, was no longer a threat. With the evil forces vanquished, Snow White stirred from her slumber and, hand in hand with the Prince, embarked on their journey towards eternal happiness.

Although there’s no denying that “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” holds a significant place in cinema history as a classic tale, it’s challenging to ignore the underwhelming climax of the movie which might appear anticlimactic, especially in a live-action remake. The primary concern lies in Snow White’s passive role throughout her story. Although the Evil Queen poses a threat, Snow White is ultimately saved by the dwarfs and an accident, rather than actively overcoming her adversary herself. In light of this, if one were to remake “Snow White,” it would be worth considering enhancing the ending to give Snow White a more active role in her own rescue.

Instead of remaking a movie, wouldn’t it be pointless unless you aim to introduce something new or enhance what was already there? If your intention is to watch the exact same content, then why not simply enjoy the original animated version instead?

The New Ending

In the revised tale of “Snow White,” The Wicked Queen, disguised as an old crone, deceives Snow White into consuming a poisoned apple, causing her to fall into a magical slumber. This event serves as a surprising turn in the storyline during act two, increasing the film’s tension. Instead of a prince, Snow White’s romantic interest is a brave freedom fighter named Jonathan, who manages to elope from the Queen’s castle and finds Snow White lying unconscious under the dwarfs’ protective watch. He uses true love’s kiss to awaken her, but instead of the traditional storyline ending there, this kiss marks the beginning of act three and the climax of the film. Snow White then decides to reclaim her father’s kingdom from the Evil Queen by rallying her forces and launching a final battle against the wicked monarch.

During the movie, Snow White and the rebels were biding their time, hoping the King would return to vanquish the Wicked Queen. However, just moments before Snow White was doomed by the poisoned apple, the Wicked Queen disclosed that Snow White’s father had been deceased for years. This revelation stirred a renewed determination within Snow White. Realizing no one else was coming to their aid, they decided it was up to them to act. Particularly, she felt compelled to take charge.

In the remake, “Hi-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work” are included, but “Someday My Prince Will Come” is missing. This omission isn’t just due to Snow White not having a prince as her love interest, or because the film’s ending contradicts this notion. Instead, in this version, Snow White doesn’t rely on a prince, her father, or any man for salvation. In fact, she is the legitimate ruler of this kingdom, emphasizing that she possesses the power and authority to rule independently (if one believes in the divine right of kings, which Disney has previously challenged in their film “Mufasa: The Lion King”).

Snow White comes back to her realm and faces off against the Evil Queen’s forces just beyond the palace walls, with the townsfolk looking on. The Queen tries to exploit their fear by claiming a strong ruler like herself is necessary for their protection, implying that Snow White is feeble. However, instead of retaliating, Snow White appeals to their kindness, recalling their names and reminiscing about their lives before the Queen took over. She subtly suggests that they have been deceived by the Queen’s manipulation, hoping they will recognize the good in themselves once more.

1. In response to Snow White’s benevolent character, the Queen’s followers disarmed themselves and pledged allegiance away from the Evil Queen.

2. Enraged, the Queen stormed back into her castle, only to hear the Magic Mirror proclaim that she would never possess the kindness of Snow White. Infuriated, the Queen shattered the mirror, unleashing a sinister magic that drew her into the ominous realm within the mirror.

3. With the Queen vanquished, Snow White reclaimed her kingdom and restored tranquility to the land. As a result, joyful celebrations ensued, with the Seven Dwarfs participating in a grand street party to commemorate the occasion.

Why the Ending Is an Improvement

Incorporating a fresh climax into “Snow White” is an intentional move to make Snow White more self-reliant within her narrative. Typically, when movies aim to boost a female character’s autonomy, they often portray them as warriors, diverging from the stereotype of them being in distress. Unlike other adaptations such as “Snow White and the Huntsman” or Disney’s “Once Upon a Time,” this reimagining chooses a distinct form of strength that resonates more with the original Snow White than some early critics might acknowledge.

In both the 1937 original and the 2025 remake of the Magic Mirror’s declaration that Snow White is “the fairest of them all,” it implies that her beauty embodies kindness. The modern Snow White, while more self-assured than her animated predecessor, remains fundamentally kind, sweet, and loving. Rather than retaliating against the dwarfs for being unkind to Dopey, she takes action to uplift him, fostering a more harmonious community among the dwarfs. Through her actions, Snow White serves as an inspiration, encouraging others to strive towards their best selves without resorting to force but rather through her genuine nature. Characters like the Huntsman, Jonathan, and the Queen’s guards are transformed by the influence of Snow White.

In the movie, instead of the Queen being killed by Snow White, it is suggested that she meets her end by her own actions. This serves as a thematic choice, implying that her downfall is a result of her selfish desires and the fragility of her self-proclaimed strength, which crumbles like a broken mirror after comparing herself to a strong diamond and Snow White to a weak flower throughout the story.

The conclusion of the modern version of “Snow White” is reminiscent of the 1937 film, but it stands out because it delves deeper into Snow White as a character and weaves themes familiar to audiences, such as kindness over hatred and emotional release over action-packed spectacle. Instead of passively waiting for her happily ever after, Snow White actively works towards it herself, making this one of Disney’s most impactful live-action adaptations.

Snow White is now playing in theaters.

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2025-03-21 07:02