The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen

Year: 2000

Runtime: 35 mins

Language: Danish

Directors: Jacob Jørgensen, Kristof Kuncewicz

DramaFamilyFantasy

Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale is presented as a digital theatre piece, built around découpages designed by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who also narrates. The intricate cut‑out collages set the mood for the story of children Kaj and Gerda. These layers are animated, combined with graphics, live performers and music to create a distinctive, immersive fairy‑tale universe.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Snow Queen (2000)

Trace every key event in The Snow Queen (2000) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Orm's oath awakens his lying reflection

A year after the Snow Queen was defeated, Orm swears an oath at Lake Gao never to tell another lie. From that moment, his reflection comes to life and starts manipulating him into deceit. The new inner voice nudges him toward false bravado and risky choices.

A year after Snow Queen's defeat Lake Gao
2

Orm is fired and faces eviction

Orm is fired from his job after insulting the knight Arrog and is threatened with eviction from his cottage. The humiliation deepens as his life in the troll village spirals downward. He begins to suspect the reflection's influence but cannot stop the lies.

Shortly after the oath Troll village / Orm's cottage
3

Armor and the competition to marry the Princess

The reflection manipulates Orm into donning armor to enter a tournament to determine who will marry Princess Maribel. He competes to impress both the Princess and her uncle, the King. The lies begin to flow as he exaggerates his victories.

Soon after the oath Troll village
4

Orm lies about defeating Snow Queen

Orm tells a grand lie about defeating the Snow Queen to gain favor with the Princess and the King. Gerda overhears the deception and confronts him. The argument drives a wedge between them, and Gerda decides to leave.

Later that day King's palace / Troll village
5

Gerda arrives with Kai and Alfida; the confrontation

Gerda, Kai, and Alfida arrive at the Troll village and overhear Orm's lies. The heated exchange leads to a fierce quarrel, ending with Gerda packing to depart. Orm is left to deal with the consequences of his deceit.

Later that day Troll village
6

North Wind abducts Princess Maribel

The King laments his daughter's absence when the North Wind appears and abducts Princess Maribel. In response, the King decrees that whoever rescues her will marry her. Orm, Arrog, and the other warriors set off to mount a rescue.

Shortly after the abduction King's palace vicinity
7

Orm abandons the rescue group; mirror stolen

On the way, Orm seems to betray his team by abandoning the others and arriving at Gerda's village. He discovers that Gerda's mirror has been stolen. The revelation strains his already fragile relationships.

During the rescue journey Gerda's village
8

Message to meet at Black Cliffs; trolls reveal abandonment

Orm sends Gerda a message to meet him at the Black Cliffs. En route, they encounter the trolls who reveal Orm's desertion of the rescue party. The news deepens Gerda's disillusionment with Orm.

En route to rescue Black Cliffs
9

Gerda sails away; Orm is left at the cliffs

Disheartened, Gerda sails away with Kai and Alfida, leaving Orm at the Black Cliffs. He watches as the others depart, further isolating himself. The unresolved feelings intensify his reliance on the reflection.

After Gerda sails away Black Cliffs
10

The Frosty Reflection pulls Orm into the real world

Orm is manipulated by his blue, frosty reflection into stepping into the real world. He witnesses and inadvertently triggers the freezing of the ocean, trapping Gerda and the others. He feels both responsible and powerless as the situation spirals.

Moment of confrontation Coast / Ocean vicinity
11

Confrontation with the Snow King and the army

Orm confronts his reflection, who declares itself the Snow King. The Snow King explains that his power grows as Orm grows, making Orm weaker. The army of ice monsters is unleashed and overwhelms Orm's friends.

Climax of the confrontation Ocean / Ice battlefield
12

Gerda is frozen; Orm trapped in the mirror realm

The Snow King tricks Gerda into believing he is the real Orm and freezes her and Luta. Orm is trapped in the mirror realm, cut off from the world. The isolation intensifies his realization of the Snow King's origin.

During the peak battle Mirror realm / Coast
13

Orm's confession saves them

In the mirror realm, Orm realizes the Snow King was born from his own lies. He loudly confesses his lies and shouts for forgiveness. As the truth thaws the captives, the Snow King reverts to a mere reflection.

Climactic moment Mirror realm
14

Orm is celebrated back home

Orm returns to the Troll village and is not punished but hailed as a hero. His honesty restores trust with Rosa and the villagers. The community embraces him as the rescuer who saved many.

After the rescue and confrontation Troll village
15

Happily ever after: roses, marriage, and friendship

Rosa marries the King, and Orm regains his cottage and rekindles his friendship with Gerda. Arrog marries the Princess and starts a family, shown during the end credits. The tale ends with Orm’s renewed standing among both trolls and friends.

End credits Troll village / King's palace

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 16:00

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The Snow Queen Summary

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