Magic in the movies, and witchcraft have long been portrayed in Hollywood mostly as an old crone who by moonlight alone stirs her cauldron full of eye of newt. Two small children are shackled to the oven over in the corner, just waiting to be the wicked witches dinner party’s main course.
Because the use of spell work is as old as the history of our society, it is no doubt even the film industry has adapted several witchcraft stories into a movie. It has long been established that these kinds of stories have gained popularity among the youth and been accepted by the adult audience.
Magic in the Movies – Disney’s Way
Fairy tale stories such as Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast are examples of spell-oriented plots made into a movie.
Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty is a Disney motion picture about Princess Aurora who is cursed at birth by the evil fairy Maleficent. To the dismay of the three good fairies who raised the girl to avoid the spell, Princess Aurora fell into a deep sleep that can only be awakened by a kiss from her betrothed Prince Philip. Several plots to separate the two ensued, but Prince Philip was able to save the princess from the spell at the end.
In 1959, the movie was nominated for Oscars for its musical score that featured adaptations of Tchaikovsky compositions. Sleeping Beauty is adapted and included into several motion pictures. The 1987 film used the original title Sleeping Beauty. In 1941, Sleeping Beauty was part of the Disney picture titled Dumbo. It was also adapted into ballet in 1964 and 1984. Jeremy Kagan also did his own version titled Faerie Tale Theatre: Sleeping Beauty in 1983.
Snow White
Another Disney film where magic made the movie is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The story of Snow White has been adapted into several films over the years. However, in my opinion, Disney’s rendition is the most popular. Snow White is daughter to the King, who had recently remarried. The new queen is wicked jealous of the beautiful young princess. The Evil Queen flips out when the magic mirror tells she’s not the bees knees anymore. She abruptly instructs a huntsman to kill the girl. Since the huntsman lets her go, the seven dwarfs adopt her. There are several magic spells illustrated in this version of story. The magic mirror is just one example. But the magic spell on the apple makes it simply iconic.
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast is another traditional fairy tale that involves a spellbound character. Belle is a beautiful daughter of a merchant. Before his father left for a trading journey, he had asked his daughters what they want when he get back. Belle asked for a rose and his father’s safety. During his way home, he was lost in a forest and found shelter in a castle. Upon leaving the castle, he picked a red rose for his daughter. The Beast who owns the house then punished him for picking his favorite flower.
In exchange for his freedom, Belle lived with the Beast. Belle’s pure love for the Beast later broke the spell. The Beast, who turned out to be a handsome prince, was just punished by a fairy. This fairy tale story is also adapted into several motion pictures such as Jean Cocteau’s film in 1946, Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise in 1991, Fielder Cook in 1976, to name a few.
More Magic in the Movies …
Fairy tales are not the only place where witches, witchcraft and magic can be found. Magic in the movies, and in television for that fact, has been explored through original screenplays and books. The 1995 Practical Magic starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman is a story of sisters who were raised by the Aunts who are know witches. The blockbuster Harry Potter series is a fantasy adventure about Harry Potter who is a son of powerful wizards. Of course, who could ever forget Samantha from Bewitched airing on television airing on ABC for 8 years from September 1964 to March of 1972.