The REAL Stories & Origins Behind 5 Famous Disney Movies

The Disney Company is an enormous corporation, and its movies are adored by billions of people worldwide. However, you may be unaware that some of their most famous titles have origins in real events and unusual stories. Here are five Disney films that might surprise you with their origins, some of which would not have been suitable for children if they hadn't been altered.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:

When the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1937, it achieved tremendous success and became the first of many Disney princess stories that we are now familiar with. The story revolves around Snow White, who lives with her jealous stepmother. The wicked queen orders a huntsman to kill Snow White, but the huntsman cannot bring himself to do it and sets her free in the forest. Snow White takes refuge with the Seven Dwarfs. When the evil queen discovers that Snow White is still alive, she disguises herself as an old hag and gives Snow White a poisoned apple. Snow White appears to die until a prince comes along, kisses her, and brings her back to life, and they live happily ever after. While this is a lovely story, the original tale has a much darker ending. The original Snow White story was written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812 and was first published in German. It shares many similarities with the Disney film, except for the fact that when Snow White is poisoned by the apple, the prince does not kiss her to revive her. Instead, he accidentally dislodges the poisoned apple from her throat by tripping over a branch in the forest. Snow White then comes back to life. In the original story's dark ending, Snow White and the prince invite every king and queen in the land to their wedding. The wicked queen, not realizing it is her stepdaughter's wedding, attends and is forced to wear a pair of red-hot, glowing shoes. She is made to dance until she drops dead as punishment for her attempt to kill Snow White. This ending is quite disturbing, which explains why it was omitted from the film adaptation.

Pocahontas:

This Disney film, released in 1995, caused controversy as it was based on a true story but deviated from historical accuracy. Many believe that it took significant liberties in portraying Pocahontas, straying too far from the facts to fit into a children's film. In the movie, Pocahontas is a young Native American woman whose father is a powerful Indian chief. Her father wants her to marry a native warrior, but she falls in love with a British captain. Their love story is complicated when the British captain's fellow Englishmen attempt to rob the Native Americans of their gold. However, the true story of Pocahontas, the daughter of a Powhatan chief, unfolds quite differently. She was born around 1595 with the birth name of Matoaka, later given the nickname Pocahontas, which means "spoiled" or "naughty child." Pocahontas belonged to a tribe located in Tidewater Virginia, and her childhood witnessed the arrival of the English in search of the New World, leading to numerous conflicts between the English and the Native Indians. During this time, Captain John Smith, an English soldier and explorer, was captured by Pocahontas' tribe and faced execution. The ten-year-old Matoaka intervened to save him from being executed. While there is little evidence of a romantic relationship between Pocahontas and Smith, as portrayed in the film, she was later captured by English settlers. It was during her captivity that she met John Rolfe, a tobacco planter, and agreed to marry him in order to promote peace between the English settlers and the Native American tribes. Pocahontas and John Rolfe traveled to England, where she was presented as a "civilized" Indian princess and received much attention. Unfortunately, Pocahontas fell ill and passed away at the age of 21 or 22, likely due to a respiratory illness. The Disney film took significant creative liberties by romanticizing and fictionalizing the relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith, which has been a point of criticism.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, released in 1996, tells the story of Quasimodo, a deformed bell-ringer who lives in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The film explores themes of acceptance, tolerance, and the power of inner beauty. While the Disney adaptation takes inspiration from Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, published in 1831, it significantly alters the story. In Hugo's original novel, Quasimodo is indeed a deformed bell-ringer, but the story delves into much darker and more complex themes. The novel tackles issues such as lust, obsession, social injustice, and the consequences of societal prejudice. The ending of the novel is particularly tragic, with Quasimodo ultimately dying beside Esmeralda's tomb. Disney, however, opted for a more uplifting and family-friendly interpretation, making significant changes to the plot and toning down the darker elements of the story.

Mulan:

Mulan, released in 1998, is based on the ancient Chinese legend of Hua Mulan. In the Disney version, Mulan disguises herself as a man to take her elderly father's place in the army and fight against the Huns. The film portrays Mulan's journey as she overcomes societal expectations and proves herself to be a skilled warrior. However, the original legend of Mulan dates back to the sixth century and has undergone various adaptations over time. In the earliest versions, Mulan's story is not as lighthearted as the Disney film. The legend often portrays the harsh realities of war, and Mulan's actions are driven by her devotion to her family and duty to her country. In some versions, Mulan's true identity is revealed, and she faces disgrace and rejection upon returning home. Nevertheless, she is ultimately honored for her bravery and loyalty. Disney's Mulan took creative liberties by adding elements of humor, songs, and a more empowering narrative.

The Little Mermaid:

The Little Mermaid, released in 1989, is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale from 1837. In the Disney film, Ariel is a young mermaid who dreams of becoming human and falls in love with a prince. She makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for a chance to become human. The story is filled with colorful characters, catchy songs, and a happy ending. However, Andersen's original tale takes a much darker turn. In the original version, the little mermaid sacrifices her voice, but every step she takes on her human legs causes excruciating pain. The prince never reciprocates her love, and he ultimately marries someone else. Heartbroken and facing the prospect of turning into sea foam, the little mermaid is offered a chance to gain an immortal soul if she kills the prince. However, she cannot bring herself to do it and accepts her fate, dissolving into the sea as foam. Andersen's version explores themes of unrequited love, selflessness, and the pain of sacrifice, whereas Disney's adaptation emphasizes a more uplifting and romantic storyline.

These examples demonstrate how Disney often takes existing stories and adapts them to fit their family-friendly and animated format, making alterations to the original source material to cater to their target audience. While Disney films offer entertaining and imaginative storytelling, it's important to recognize the creative liberties taken and appreciate the original stories and their diverse themes and messages.

Disney's adaptations have undoubtedly left a significant impact on popular culture, introducing these classic tales to a wider audience and captivating generations of viewers. While they may deviate from the original narratives, these adaptations often retain core themes and morals, delivering messages of love, courage, and the triumph of good over evil.

It's worth noting that Disney's approach of adapting stories is not unique to them. Throughout history, tales and legends have been retold and reimagined, often reflecting the values and sensibilities of the time and culture in which they are being retold. Disney's adaptations can be seen as part of this tradition, with their own distinct style and storytelling choices.

Moreover, Disney's adaptations have sparked interest in the source material, leading many viewers to seek out the original stories, novels, or legends. This curiosity often prompts discussions and deeper exploration of the themes and messages presented in the original works.

In recent years, Disney has also taken steps to present more culturally authentic and diverse adaptations, such as "Moana" and "Coco," which draw inspiration from specific cultures and celebrate their traditions and values. These films showcase a growing awareness of the importance of representing diverse stories and perspectives.