As Patrick has said, it was quite well-known, if only by name and/or as a certain type of story (aka ugly freak and beautiful girl have a romance). It certainly would have been better known in 1991 than the original versions of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin would have been, at least to American audiences. The French director Jean Cocteau had made a version in the 1940s (La Belle et la Bête, which is the French title of the story), which is one of the most cherished and highly acclaimed French films of all time and was arguably one of the initial deterrents over making the film (since Cocteau's film is such a classic). There had also been a TV series that retained the title and set the story in modern-day New York not long before Disney's version came out, which would have left the story relatively fresh in many people's minds.ajmrowland wrote:I admit to not knowing much about Rapunzel's story.:embarassed: Then again, how many people knew the story of BatB when that came out?
I do understand that certain fairy-tales vary in popularity from country to country. From what I believe, Rapunzel isn't too well-known in France, just as I'm sure most of you won't really know the likes of Peau d'Âne and Le Petit Poucet (Donkeyskin and Hop O' My Thumb, respectively). However, Rapunzel is most certainly one of the more widely renowned fairy-tales, probably only beaten by the likes of Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood in terms of popularity. Rapunzel is most certainly one of the better known and iconic fairy-tales in Britain as well.
Have I got something more to say? Oh, just the usual refrain. Shame on you, Disney. Shame on you.
Flynn is totally trying to seduce Rapunzel so she won't hit him with a pan.
), but I think it is very wise to advertise it in a similar fashion. I also don't think that the general public will feel lied to or misled. If this film is as good as Disney and others who have seen bits and pieces of it is making it out to be, the general public will be happy they gave it a shot.
(alt+p)
