The REAL Stories & Origins Behind 5 Famous Disney Movies

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:

The 1937 film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was a massive success and introduced Disney's first princess. The well-known story revolves around Snow White, living with her jealous stepmother who orders her death. Instead, she finds refuge with the Seven Dwarfs, only to be tricked by an evil queen with a poisoned apple, saved by a prince's kiss, and living "happily ever after." However, the original tale, penned by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, had a much darker ending. The prince did not kiss Snow White; rather, she was saved when he accidentally dislodged the poisoned apple from her throat after tripping over a branch. Furthermore, the wicked queen met a gruesome fate at Snow White's wedding, being forced to wear hot, glowing shoes and dance until she died, a disturbing ending deemed unsuitable for children.

Pocahontas:

Disney's "Pocahontas," based on a true story, came under scrutiny for taking historical liberties. The film portrays Pocahontas, an American Indian woman, falling for a British captain against her father's wishes and thwarting Englishmen attempting to steal native Americans' gold. The real Pocahontas, daughter of a chief named Powhatan, was born around 1595. She intervened to save the life of English explorer Captain John Smith when she was just ten years old. Eventually, she was captured by English settlers, married a tobacco planter named John Rolfe, and was renamed Rebecca. Pocahontas and John Rolfe's marriage was the first recorded union between a European man and a Native American woman. Sadly, Pocahontas passed away at the age of 21 while in England, and the cause of her death remains uncertain.

Tangled:

The Disney film "Tangled" tells the tale of Rapunzel, a princess with magical hair, held captive in a tower. She escapes with the help of a thief and eventually marries him. In the original story, Rapunzel's parents are neighbors to an evil witch named Dame Gothel. When the mother-to-be craves a Rapunzel plant from the witch's garden, her husband steals it, but when caught, he promises to give the witch their child. The witch takes the baby, names her Rapunzel, and locks her in a tower as she grows up. The prince finds her, but their encounters are secretive until the witch discovers their love and cuts off Rapunzel's hair. In the end, the prince is blinded, but Rapunzel's tears restore his sight, and they reunite, causing the witch to fall from the tower to her death.

Pinocchio:

"Pinocchio," considered one of Disney's greatest films, tells the story of a wooden puppet brought to life, aiming to become a real boy. The original "Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi is much darker, with Pinocchio described as wretched and disobedient, even killing Jiminy Cricket. Pinocchio experiences abuse and torture in the story, highlighting the author's disdain for badly behaved children. Initially, Collodi intended to hang Pinocchio at the end of the story, but pressure from publishers led to the character's resurrection.

Winnie the Pooh:

Winnie the Pooh, the lovable teddy bear created by A. A. Milne, was based on a real bear at the London Zoo. A soldier's bear inspired Milne's son, Christopher Robin, to name his teddy bear Winnie the Pooh, leading to the beloved character's creation. While never confirmed by the creator, some theories suggest the characters in the Hundred Acre Wood represent various mental disorders. Winnie the Pooh might suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Piglet from generalized anxiety disorder, Owl from dyslexia, Tigger from impulsivity and ADHD, Kanga from social anxiety disorder, Rabbit from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Eeyore from depression. Additionally, some speculate that Christopher Robin's imagination may have influenced the creation of these characters, but it is uncertain if he had schizophrenia.

In conclusion, despite some darker origins and speculated psychological profiles, these Disney films continue to captivate audiences worldwide, enchanting viewers young and old alike.