Cinderella (1950)
Composite Score: 83.1
Starring: Ilene Woods, James MacDonald, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Rhoda Williams, Luis Van Rooten, Lucille Bliss, William Phipps, and Mike Douglas
Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske
Writers: Bill Peet, Erdman Penner, Ted Sears, Winston Hibler, Homer Brightman, Harry Reeves, Ken Anderson, and Joe Rinaldi
Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
MPAA Rating: G
Box Office: $96.38 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
Cinderella is the 1950 animated classic from Disney about an orphaned girl who is forced into servitude by her wicked stepmother while dreaming of a better life for herself. It is one of Disney’s three original “princess films” (Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs being the other two) and features arguably the most fleshed-out protagonist and best soundtrack of the three. The classic tale of a wicked stepmother and stepsisters forcing a beautiful girl to miss out on her dreams out of necessity features as the main narrative for this film, presented in a way that feels surprisingly timeless even on rewatch in 2022.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
If love at first sight, fairy godmothers, and helpful anthropomorphic animals are not your particular cup of tea, then I have a feeling that Cinderella won’t be making your list of favorite films any time soon. The tropes of fantasy romances, particularly Disney princess films, have become points of comedy and parody so often in the last twenty years or so that it feels strange to watch a film that uses them as actual plot devices rather than bits. They work in this film because they are presented in such genuine fashion, but it doesn’t keep the film from feeling a bit dated.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
Two pieces of Cinderella have made it into the classic and great film that it is – its music and its characters. Musically, I don’t think any of the film’s four main songs feel out of place. “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” remains a timeless classic and fits as the film’s “theme” song without ever wearing on the audience. “Work Song (Cinderelly)” might be a bit more childish than the other songs in the film, but it keeps what would otherwise be a fairly uninteresting montage engaging for all viewers. “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” has also become an instantly recognizable song, even for those who haven’t seen the film, arguably surpassing “A Dream” as the film’s trademark song. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t even realize that “So This Is Love” was a Disney song originally, but it works so well as the love song between Cinderella and Prince Charming during their dance that I almost bought into the love at first sight plot point that was taking place at the same time.
The film’s characters carry the non-musical moments of the film over into greatness. Cinderella might be the most genuinely likable and personable of the animated Disney princesses. Ilene Woods’s vocals for the songs and voiceover dialogue delivery help to sell the character and make her someone worth rooting for far beyond the other princesses in the Disney canon (prior to 1990 at least). Though perhaps not as over-the-top as Snow White’s Evil Queen or Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent, Lady Tremaine still ends up being a classic movie villain (who also happens to be far more grounded than those other two), complete with a threatening cat and two witless henchwomen (her daughters). She is the quintessential wicked stepmother whose villainy comes not from some supernatural dabbling but from a place of pure, petty spite – a far more interesting motivation if you ask me. Even the film’s comic relief/animal characters (Jaq and Gus) keep the film moving with their antics and serve as legitimately helpful sidekicks to the hero despite their unlikely stature. Yes, Prince Charming is pretty one-note and doesn’t really even have a memorable face to speak of, but it’s not his movie then is it?
Cinderella might be the best of the original three Disney princess films thanks to a winning combination of entertaining and engaging characters and iconic songs from top to bottom that have cemented its place among the Greatest Films of All Time. Though its story feels a bit by-the-numbers in a more modern context, its status as a classic and some legitimate entertainment value help it beat those allegations fairly handily in my book. This film is currently available to stream on Disney+ if you’re interested in giving it a watch.
