Year: 1987
Runtime: 85 mins
Language: English
Director: Michael Berz
A prince on a quest for the greatest treasure discovers seven dwarfs guarding a coffin. They recount the tale of Snow White, a radiant princess driven into exile by her jealous step‑mother, who orders her death. Snow White finds refuge with the dwarfs, while the step‑mother, learning she survives, plots to eliminate her rival once and for all.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Snow White (1987), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In a wintry forest, a striking young prince travels with his men and comes upon a glimmering scene that will set the tale in motion. In a quiet glen, Snow White is found sleeping inside a glass coffin, and the many-flavored past of her life unfolds through the memories of the seven kindly dwarves. The opening frames soon give way to a broader history of a royal family, a jealous stepmother, and the long arc of Snow White’s fate.
A noble King Douglas Sheldon and his devoted Queen Dorit Adi rule a peaceful realm with care and integrity. One harsh winter, the Queen tends to her sewing when a single drop of her blood stains the snow outside the window, and the King proclaims a daughter with hair as black as ebony, cheeks as red as blood, and skin as white as snow. The Good Queen’s passing soon after her child is born leaves Snow White in the new king’s care, and the kingdom hopes she will grow up under their benevolent gaze. Yet tragedy shadows the crown, and Snow White’s young mother dies, leaving the realm to be ruled by the new Queen, whose vanity and jealousy begin to shape the course of the story.
The Evil Queen, driven by a relentless need to be the fairest of all, consults her ever-watchful magic mirror and learns that Snow White has surpassed her in beauty. The mirror’s verdict fuels a murderous plan: the huntsman Amnon Meskin is ordered to take Snow White into the forest and kill her, bringing back her liver as proof of death. In the woods, Snow White is spirited away, but when she realizes the Queen’s intent, the huntsman’s resolve falters. A vital messenger—a goat—claims the Queen’s intent, and Snow White escapes into the tangled wilderness.
There, the young woman stumbles upon a quaint cottage inhabited by seven gentle dwarves. The dwarves—Billy Barty as Iddy, Mike Edmonds as Biddy, Ricardo Gil as Kiddy, Malcolm Dixon as Diddy, Gary Friedkin as Fiddy, Arturo Gil as Giddy, and Tony Cooper as Liddy—offer Snow White shelter, and the pairings of warmth and danger begin to unfold through her days with the dwarves. The King’s heart breaks when news reaches him of Snow White’s supposed death, and his sorrow deepens with the realization that the realm’s stability has been shaken by the Queen’s schemes and the forces of war.
Years pass, and Snow White returns as a graceful young woman. The Evil Queen, still fixed on control and supremacy, asks her magic mirror the same question again and again, and the mirror’s answer confirms Snow White’s survival. The Queen makes three bold, deceitful attempts to end the young woman’s life. First, she disguises herself as a gypsy and uses a tightly laced bodice to send Snow White into a dangerous sleep, but the dwarves return just in time to cut the lace and wake her. Next, she dresses as a Japanese geisha and offers Snow White a poisoned comb—an oriental toxin that strands Snow White in a deep slumber until the dwarves remove the offending item. Finally, she disguises herself as an old peddler and offers Snow White a split apple. The two share the halves, and Snow White falls under a deadly sleep once more. The dwarves place her in a glass coffin, hoping for a miracle that might yet restore her.
The narrative now returns to the present, where the dwarves permit a curious fate to unfold. As Snow White is being moved to a more fitting resting place, the coffin is jolted free by a collapsing tree during a fierce blizzard, and a fragment of the poisoned apple dislodges from her throat. The sudden jolt revives Snow White, and the Prince—enchanted by her miraculous return—asks for her hand in marriage, a proposal she warmly accepts. Invitations ripple across the land, reaching even the Evil Queen, whose keen eyes see the unfolding wedding as a final test of her claim to supremacy. The mirror, once a trusted oracle, shatters under the Queen’s anger, and with that, she ages rapidly in a fit of rage, rushing to the church in a desperate, scrambling attempt to witness Snow White’s union.
In the church, the long arc of vengeance collapses as Snow White and the Prince are wed. The Evil Queen’s rage erupts, but the force of the Queen’s blindness and the power of true love prevail. The Queen disintegrates, aged and defeated, as a fierce wind carries her remnants away before she can reclaim her carriage. Snow White and the Prince celebrate a union that restores peace to the kingdom, and they begin their life together, the tale ending with the promise of a happily-ever-after that echoes through the ages.
Note: The first-time mentions of principal characters have linked references to their respective actors:
Snow White
The Prince
The Evil Queen
The King
The Good Queen
The Huntsman
Iddy, Biddy, Kiddy, Diddy, Fiddy, Giddy, Liddy
The retelling keeps the original’s core beats—jealousy, escape, apprenticeship with kindly dwarves, repeated poisonings thwarted, a dramatic revival, and a royal ending—while expanding the narrative threads to emphasize character choices, stakes, and the emotional undercurrents that drive Snow White toward a hopeful, lasting union.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:20
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Timeless stories where magical whimsy meets the threat of dark forces.Discover movies like Snow White that transport you to magical worlds. If you enjoyed the story of a princess, dwarves, and an evil queen, you'll love these similar fairy tale adventures featuring enchanting settings, clear moral stakes, and triumphant happy endings.
These narratives typically follow a clear 'good versus evil' structure, often involving a virtuous protagonist who is threatened by a powerful antagonist driven by jealousy or vanity. The hero may endure exile or a temporary defeat, but is aided by magical helpers before achieving a final victory through courage or true love.
Movies are grouped here because they share a foundational fairy tale DNA: a whimsical tone, a straightforward plot, a medium intensity that balances charm with peril, and an ultimately hopeful, happy resolution. They provide a comforting and enchanting viewing experience rooted in tradition.
Stories where outcasts find safety and belonging in an unexpected sanctuary.Explore movies with themes similar to Snow White, where a character finds a safe haven and a new family. If you liked Snow White's refuge with the seven dwarfs, you'll enjoy these stories about outcasts banding together for protection and forming deep bonds against adversity.
The narrative pattern involves a vulnerable protagonist fleeing a threat and stumbling upon a secluded sanctuary—often a cottage, a hideout, or a remote community. The inhabitants, initially cautious, become protective guardians. This found family provides not just safety, but also emotional support, creating a heartwarming core amidst the external conflict.
These films are connected by the powerful theme of found family as a source of strength and comfort. They share a light-to-medium emotional weight, a hopeful tone centered on connection, and a pacing that allows time to develop the bonds within the safe haven.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Snow White in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Snow White is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Snow White with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Snow White. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Snow White that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Snow White: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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