"Once upon a dream...."

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

And now, in my humble opinion, we arrive at the review of Disney's Masterpiece.
Nearly 5 years after Disney's previous animated movie (Lady and the Tramp), Sleeping Beauty was released in theaters to wide appraise. Also marking itself at the most expensive animated film to date at the time. And boy does it show!
Every aspect of this film, from it's beautiful art style reminiscent of old medieval tapestries, it's sweeping orchestral score, pulling songs from Tchaikovsky's ballet of the same name, to the iconic character designs. Many, including myself, rank this as the best animated film Disney ever produced.
Disney's popularity at the time was also at it's peak, with Disneyland having been open for 4 years, and many live action tv and movies constantly being churned out. Unfortunately, even this film's wide success couldn't recoup the six million dollar cost of this film.
Coming back to see this film reminds me of how timeless I find it, and how my love of it is undying. To this day, every time I see it, I am constantly inspired by it's art direction and style. The whole film truly feels like a moving tapestry. The scenes of Aurora wandering and singing through the forest, and when the fairies fly over the kingdom putting everyone into a magic slumber have never left my memory as a source of constant artistic inspiration. I remember as a child pausing the movie at certain parts and desperately trying to emulate on paper what I saw.
This movie also features the most iconic villain ever to come out of Disney's film vault... Maleficent. Terrifying, memorable, and mesmerizing, she stands out in many people's mind as the penultimate antagonist. Being voiced by another iconic actress, Eleanor Audley who's other work included Cinderella's wicked stepmother, and even Madam Leota in the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland.
So, a funny fact I noticed about this movie is how little the title character is featured throughout the movie. Aurora, herself, is only on screen for a total of 18 minutes. Making me evaluate what this story is truly about. The three fairies protecting her seem to be what this story is really about, as they hold the most screen time. Luckily, all three are charming and likable, with quirky personalities and dynamics between each other. In fact, the on going feud between the blue and pink fairy over what color Aurora's dress should be was carried over from the animation team's own indecisiveness over the final design.
Over the entire course of the film, all three of them, with the exception of Prince Phillip at the climatic battle at the end of the film, carry almost the entire plot. Making me conclude that this movie is about them, and their protection over the fair princess, ensuring that she gets her happily ever after.
As the movie drew to a close, I reflected back on it. First of all, the battle between Maleficent and the Prince is epic, perilous, and everything a fairy tale fight between good and evil should be. Also, Maleficent's death via enchanted sword through the heart is shockingly violent by today's standards for an animated film, but fitting for such a despicable character. And finally, I dwelled on the message to walk away with from the story....
Most fairy tales were created to teach children lessons on morality and sense. Red Riding Hood was about the dangers of talking to strangers, The Three Little Pigs were about the value of bricks as a resource, etc. So what to we get out of a story about a girl falling into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by true love's first kiss??? Aurora's peril is caused by her own parents not inviting an incredibly awful women of power to her christening. And most of the important plot points are due to things like magic, curses, and fate. Not usually something that allows someone to walk away with some good old fashioned sensible knowledge...
So perhaps, if we dig to the root of the drive of the main characters, we begin to see the message to take away from it all. The three fairies from the beginning of the film to the end are devoted to the well being of Aurora. They brought blessings to her as a child to bring her good fortune and prosperity throughout her life, and after Maleficent's curse, they made a promise to the King that they would protect her until danger was no longer in her future, Along the way, caring for her as if she was their own child....
So maybe that's it, this is a story of love and devotion, and the importance of following through with the promises we keep to cherish and protect the one's we hold dear to our hearts. After all, don't most happily ever afters rely heavily on those values?
Anyway, this movie ranks as one of my favorites, and revisiting it is always a joy. Next up is 101 Dalmatians, and the first animated film in the 1960s! See you all next time!!