A more authentic telling of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale, about a
stepmother, her magic mirror and the jealousy/hatred she has for her
beautiful stepdaughter.  It's not the same story you remember!

A man (Neill) loses his wife in an accident, but not before she gives birth
to a little girl, named Lillian.  Years later, when the girl is young, the
man remarries to a Lady by the name of Claudia (Weaver).  As Lillian grows
and becomes more beautiful, Claudia, who is controlled by her mirror, wants
her dead.  The first attempt on her life causes Lillian to escape into the
unknowns of the forest.  She encounters seven miners (who all but one are
not dwarves), and doesn't exactly get help from them.  Meanwhile Claudia
uses all her black magic to try to find and kill Lillian, and she grows ever
more mad.

This film is definitely not for children.  It's much darker than the
Disneyed version.  But it's not a great movie, either.  The acting is
decent - Weaver hams up her scenes, while Neill is just sorta there.  The
actress playing Lillian is cute, but not all that entralling.  There is
violence and action and even some blood... but overall it couldn't keep my
full attention.
 
 

Quality: 4.0  Visuals: 3.5  Intensity: 4.0 
OVERALL RATING: 3.8