It’s crazy
to think that ‘Disney’ films originate from dark and quite frankly messed up
stories. The imagery of fairy tales is misleading; it’s more like fairy nightmares.
Anyone who has read Brothers Grimm, or even worse: Hans
Christian Andersen will know how truly dark these stories may be (seriously
when you have time, read the little match girl... that story is so depressing!)
Disney fan’s will know that there are in total seven
different eras’ so far. You’ve got the first era; also known as the ‘Old Era’
which is Disney first five films such as Snow white, Pinocchio and Dumbo. We’ve
then got the ‘War time era’ which is more of the murky Disney films, such as ‘Melody
time’. Moving on to the Silver Era (e.g. Sleeping Beauty and The Jungle Book)
and then the Bronze Era (E.g. The Aristocats and The Fox and The Hound) we then
move on to my main focus (5/7) The Renaissance Era.
‘The Renaissance Era’ is the most successful era. It also
has returns the musical fairy tale format. So where do our favourite films
originate from? And are you ready to get your childhood crushed once reading
these?
No..
Yes?
No..
Yes?
No..
Yes?
Okay..
Ready?
In my own personal opinion here are the 5 creepiest origins
from the ‘Renaissance Era’
5: The Lion King
My favourite Disney film ever. If you don’t know what hakuna
matata means, then can we really even be friends? So a quick reminder what happens
in this Disney Classic. Mufasa the King of the lions was murdered by his own
brother Scar; Scar manipulating Simba to think it was his fault and flees in
exile. Years later he returns to his kingdom and forces Scar to admit to his
guilt and Then Simba and Nala live happily ever after (aw)
However, the story isn’t based on a fairy tale – the original
story is such a catastrophe it had to be included! It’s inspired by Shakespeare’s
Hamlet.
Prince Hamlet (Simba) is instructed to enact revenge against
(by the ghost of his dead dad so, he may have just been crazy) his uncle
Claudius (Scar), for murdering King Hamlet (Mufasa), seizing the throne, and
marrying his brother’s widow. Everyone dies and Hamlet commits suicide… so it
really is the circle of life!
4: Hercules
If you haven’t seen Hercules, then you are really missing
out on life! It’s one of the best Disney films, with Meg telling it how it
really is and those sassy goddesses. For those of you who haven’t seen it, In
the Disney version; Hercules was the ‘human’/mortal son of Zeus and Hera, who
grows up in the human world and plans to rule Olympus. But hey ho true love happens,
Hades is just mean, Hercules goes down to the underworld saves Megra and then
stays on earth with her and well they live happily ever after (SHOCK!) – We also
see a dead scar as an Easter egg in this film!
However, in the Greek Myth. Hercules was a product of infidelity
(uh oh – Naughty Zeus!). That Hera despise him so much. Like it’s ridiculous how
much, and she drives him to madness that good old herc ends up murdering his
own children and, the princess Megara. Oh Poor Herc. He murders them all. So I
suppose we still have a sassy Goddess; Hera but it may me better to name her a
crazy one instead!
3: The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid! Everyone surly must remember kiss the
girl? And under the sea… ‘darling its better down where its wetter UNDER THE
SEA’. Disney recap: Ariel wants to become a human and saves a prince. She falls
in love and Ursula the sea witch (Also Ariel Aunt for anyone who doesn’t know
that!!) makes her a deal where Ariel gains legs but lose her voice. In the end,
Eric and Ariel marry and live happily ever after.
However, Hans Cristian Andersens version isn’t so cheerful. after
having her tail split by the evil Sea Witch’s potion, the Little Mermaid swims
ashore, passes out, and wakes up in searing pain. The Prince finds her amusing,
so he takes her back to the palace, where she dances for him—still in searing,
hot-knife pain, but she carries on and he then marries another woman! So, she
has two choices... Kill her prince and let his blood pour on her legs or turn
into sea foam leaving her to be trapped in limbo. She couldn’t kill her prince…
dark stuff.
2: Beauty and the
Beast
Oh Belle, Our little favourite Disney book nerd. Defying
expectations of society norms; brave Belle offers to take her father’s place
after the beast imprisoned him when he goes to pick Belle a rose from his
garden. The two fall in love (as we see with tale as old as time) and the curse
is broken, returning the prince in to human form and living happily ever after.
Compared to the original, it’s quite similar. Except Belle
had two horrible step sisters who were greedy and selfish. When Belle visits
home, her sisters are extremely jealous of Belle’s luxurious life; and then
kidnaps her. Their dad, who was once rich is in major debt. When Belle
eventually returns home, the beast is so angry that he eats her alive. The witch
who cursed the Beast, cast the same curse on the wicked sisters and instead of
them turning in to a Beast they would turn in to a statue ... and let’s be
honest who would fall in love with a statue on the inside? Such genius but so
evil!
1: The Hunchback of
Notre Dame
In Disney version, Quasimodo is deformed but is represented
as kind but an outsider; he falls in love with a gorgeous gypsy named Esmerelda
but accepts that Captain Phoebus and Esmerelda are in love. However, this is
still a happy story as in the end he gets what he always wanted which was to be
accepted by the outside world and applauded for his actions and ends the film a
hero.
However, in the original novel. This was not the case. Our
hero is furious that Esmerelda doesn’t love him back. He goes so far to betray
her; to Frollo (who is the evil villain in the Disney version). Frollo being corrupted
and powerful; has Esmerelda hung in the public square (where was Captain
Phoebus eh?). Feeling absolutely heartbroken; Quasimodo regretting his earlier
actions throws of Frollo off the Top off the Cathedral and then goes off and
sneaks into Esmerelda’s Grave. He digs her grave and lays next to her dead
body. Curling around it, until eventually he starves to death. When their
bodies were found 18 months later and an attempt was made to separate them.
Quasimodo’s bones turned to dust. The End.
And they all lived Unhappily ever after.
THE END.
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