Where did the Animated Classics take place ?

[Jack Skellington]

I've seen some pictures of Bavarian castles in Germany, looks like Walt Disney must have considered there architecture and furnishings before making his first movie, coz I've seen some castles that are so spooky looking you can't help but remember that castle the Evil Queen lived in the movie. Does anyone else think that Snow White's setting must have been in Germany ?

<a href="http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff56 ... astle2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff56 ... astle2.jpg" border="0" alt="Castle"></a> Remind's anybody of someone ?
<a href="http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/a ... =queen.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/a ... /queen.gif" border="0" alt="John Blumen\'s Evil Queen"></a>

<a href="http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/ ... nstein.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/ ... nstein.jpg" border="0" alt="NEUSCHWANSTEIN"></a> Looks alot like the castle in the end.

[bambi_nl]

<img src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/ ... nstein.jpg" border="0" alt="NEUSCHWANSTEIN"> Looks alot like the castle in the end.

I don't know about Snow White, but considering the Treasure DVD "DisneyLand, Secrets, Stories & Magic", this picture is of castle Neuschwanstein that was used as a model of Sleeping Beauty's castle in DisneyLand

[PrincePhillipFan]

I always considered Snow White and Sleeping Beauty to both be set in Germany myself. Both styles of architecture in the movies, especially in Snow White with the cottage wood carvings, are very typical of medieval Germany. Although Sleeping Beauty does have some French influence in the art design style and in some of the architecture of the castle. So I just always figured it was like on the border between the two countries, and also the mention of the two kingdoms uniting, like the two cultures coming together. With Stefan's kingdom in France (also because Aurora is the name of Sleeping Beauty's daughter in the French Perrault version), and Hubert and Phillip (since their names are pronounced in the Germanic way) hailing from a German kingdom. Just a theory I always thought about in the geography of the kingdoms.

Anyway, Snow White I would say is definitely set in Germany since it's an original Brothers Grimm tale, and Albert Hurter and Gustaf Teneggran's art style in the design of the characters and backgrounds are heavily influenced by German storybook illustrations. Here's a picture (although slightly enchanted backdrop) of Gustaf Teneggran's concept work for the film:



Also, I think the design of the Snow White's Scary Adventures attraction exterior at Disneyland shows how heavily influenced it is by medieval German architecture. There's a lot of similarities between the attraction building and the castle picture you posted.

[Wonderlicious]

I've always considered Snow White to be set in a fictionalised/romanticised Germany of the past, not only really due to the architecture but the fact that it's a German story.

On a side note, I personally see Sleeping Beauty as being set in France. Although being a bowdlerised version of Perrault's original (or alternatively, using aspects of the retelling of the story by the Grimms'), it does seem to have the atmosphere of medieval France (or an Arthurian Romance...which despite all being set in England, were nearly all written in France ). And as for Cinderella, the fact that the word "château" is used kinda gives the setting away.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

I don't know if there's anything that says "Germany" specifically, but I've also always guessed that it'd have to be somewhere in middle Europe or probably the Alpine region.

[SpringHeelJack]

In my mind, Snow White was always in Germany. There was never a doubt for me, personally.

"Sleeping Beauty", on the other hand... I can see good cases made for many places, but to me, it was England. There's not enough characters names based in any one language for me to place it in one solid country, so I sort of assumed it was an amalgamation of Medieval England.

[gardener14]

Snow White often makes appearances at the German pavillion at Epcot's World Showcase just as Belle appears in France and Aladdin and Jasmine appear in Morocco. Doesn't that suggest that Disney considers that the story takes place in Germany?

[CornyCollins]

Snow White often makes appearances at the German pavillion at Epcot's World Showcase just as Belle appears in France and Aladdin and Jasmine appear in Morocco. Doesn't that suggest that Disney considers that the story takes place in Germany?

I was just going to say I've always seen Snow White merchandise in the Germany pavilion while in Epcot.

As far as Sleeping Beauty is concerned - i've never been able to figure that one out. I did see Aurora in Epcot once - but I can't remember in which country - I believe it could have been France.

[tsom]

Snow White to me is most likely German.

Cinderella could easily be France, but the movie said a "tiny" kingdom, and France is and always has been huge. So, my next guess is Belgium. It's still called a Kingdom today, half of the population speaks French, and the country is very tiny.

Sleeping Beauty to me might be in France, and the neighboring Kingdom that Philip is from could be the Kingdom of Burgandy. Another reason I say France, which most people forget, is that in the beginning, the narrator said everyone in the Kingdom who was of High and Low Estate came to honor the new baby. To my knowledge, isn't France the only European country that used the Estates system?

The one that confuses me is The Little Mermaid. It obviously can't be Denmark. I think it's a tiny Kingdom on the coast of the Mediterranean, in-between France and Italy. Another possibility, which is probably unlikely, is that the story takes place in a Principality. Eric is a Prince, and yet he has no parents. One could easily argue that he has to marry to be King first, but it you look around his Kingdom, the letter "E" is posted everywhere, including around the palace and on the wedding ship. So, the point is that why would his "E" be everywhere if he wasn't King? The title of Prince could possibly be the highest rank in Eric's country.

I know I probably don't make any sense, but I hope you guys kind of understand what I'm trying to say.

[Flanger-Hanger]

Aurora meets guests at France at Epcot, but I always thought her story was in England or just generic Europe.

[steve]

I've never really considered it, but I wouldn't think Sleeping Beauty is set in England - the landscape doesn't really match. (The Black Cauldron was more English, I'd have thought.) I'd say it's more like mainland Europe, most likely set in Germany or France, as suggested above.

The one that confuses me is The Little Mermaid. It obviously can't be Denmark. I think it's a tiny Kingdom on the coast of the Mediterranean, in-between France and Italy. Another possibility, which is probably unlikely, is that the story takes place in a Principality. Eric is a Prince, and yet he has no parents. One could easily argue that he has to marry to be King first, but it you look around his Kingdom, the letter "E" is posted everywhere, including around the palace and on the wedding ship. So, the point is that why would his "E" be everywhere if he wasn't King? The title of Prince could possibly be the highest rank in Eric's country.

I know I probably don't make any sense, but I hope you guys kind of understand what I'm trying to say.

That seems like a very well thought-out theory - something the creators of The Little Mermaid probably didn't even give a second thought to, which is slightly annoying...

[SwordInTheStone777]

I always thought Snow White was around near Norway/Finland area. I kinda see how it could be German, but then again Snow White could just be a setting somewhere in Europe.

[Flanger-Hanger]

(The Black Cauldron was more English, I'd have thought.) .

The Chronicles of Prydian on which The Black Cauldron is based say it's a forgotten part of Wales.

[SpringHeelJack]

I didn't think it was forgotten so much as steeped in mythology, given that the books draw heavily on Welsh lore.

[Disney Villain]

I’ve actually thought long and hard about where the princess films take place. There was never any doubt in my mind that Snow White took place in Germany. Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast take place in France. The Little Mermaid is a mystery. However, I have to agree with tsom. I’ve always thought that the film took place on, or near, the Mediterranean.

Now Sleeping Beauty, on the other hand is tricky. The name Aurora is a Roman name; Aurora was the goddesses of dawn in ancient roman tradition. The narrator says “they named her after the dawn for she filled their lives with sunshine.” In order to name their child after the dawn, King Stefan and his fair Queen must have had to know something about the Roman gods. Rome is mentioned again during the ‘Skumps’ song. King Stefan speaks of building “a palace in Rome” for Aurora and Phillip. I don’t think the story takes place in Rome- it just seems like King Stefan is referencing Rome’s wonder.

There are also many references to Christianity. The entire film is an allegory representing good and evil. Maleficent is an obvious reference to Satan and darkness. Aurora on the other hand (her name meaning dawn) represents light and goodness. There is also a cross on Phillips sword. Because of all this, I always thought that Sleeping Beauty took place near Italy, or on the border between Italy and another country. This would make senses since King Hubert references two kingdoms merging. Perhaps the film takes place on the border between Switzerland and Italy? I’m almost positive the film does not take place in England, and I don’t think it takes place in France either. If I had to bet money on it I would say that Sleeping Beauty takes place near or in Italy.

[PrincePhillipFan]

Because of all this, I always thought that Sleeping Beauty took place near Italy, or on the border between Italy and another country. This would make senses since King Hubert references two kingdoms merging. I don’t mean to be rude, and I have no intention of offending anyone- but Aurora looks stereotypically Swedish to me. Perhaps the film takes place on the border between Sweden and Italy? I’m almost positive the film does not take place in England, and I don’t think it takes place in France either. If I had to bet money on it I would say that Sleeping Beauty takes place near or in Italy.

I never really thought of it before, but SB taking place in Italy does really make a lot of sense, considering the references to Rome and Christianity, as you stated. With Snow White and Cinderella it's sort of easy since Disney drew their inspiration from the Grimms' tales for Snow White, and Perrault's version of Cinderella. However, since SB uses both versions of the Grimm and Perrault version, it kind of makes it harder to identify. I think Italy in terms of the references you made would be a perfect fit.

Although, not to be nitpicky, but Sweden is nowhere near Italy. Maybe you got it confused with Switzerland, which is one of Italy's border countries along with France, Lichtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia.

As for Little Mermaid, I always figured that it was somewhere in Mediterranean Spain or Italy. The look of Eric's palace is very Mediterranean influence, Eric and Grimbsy are very tanned, and Carlotta is a name of Mediterranean origin.

[SpringHeelJack]

But who at that point would not have heard of Rome? I mean... it's a big deal. Ditto for some knowledge of their gods. I mean, if you have daughter and want to name her after the dawn, you don't have many options... basically, Aurora, Eos, and, um, Dawn. Plus the Christian allegories... I mean, they're there, but just because you use overarching themes of Christianity doesn't necessarily set things in Italy. IMO, were it set in Italy, there's be more of an Italian influence in names. Phillip, Hubert, Stefan... not too Italian.

[Disney Villain]

I never really thought of it before, but SB taking place in Italy does really make a lot of sense, considering the references to Rome and Christianity, as you stated. With Snow White and Cinderella it's sort of easy since Disney drew their inspiration from the Grimms' tales for Snow White, and Perrault's version of Cinderella. However, since SB uses both versions of the Grimm and Perrault version, it kind of makes it harder to identify. I think Italy in terms of the references you made would be a perfect fit.

Although, not to be nitpicky, but Sweden is nowhere near Italy. Maybe you got it confused with Switzerland, which is one of Italy's border countries along with France, Lichtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia.

As for Little Mermaid, I always figured that it was somewhere in Mediterranean Spain or Italy. The look of Eric's palace is very Mediterranean influence, Eric and Grimbsy are very tanned, and Carlotta is a name of Mediterranean origin.

I feel like such an idiot. Of course I meant to say Switzerland, not Sweden. It was one of those trying to accomplish 1,000 things at once types of moments. I knew it was Switzerland, but Sweden, also starting with an 'S', got typed.

I also agree with you on The Little Mermaid. Prince Eric has beautiful dark hair and tanned skin, fitting in perfectly with the Mediterranean climate.

[Jack Skellington]

I'm defenitly going to the real castles that inspired the films one day.
Disney Villain I'm starting to suspect that Italy must have been where Sleeping Beauty took place, also note that Prince Phillip represents the angle St. Michael and Malefecent as the dragon represents Satan in the form of a dragon. (I think there was a battle between the Devil and St.Micheal in the bible.)
<a href="http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee23 ... dragon.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee23 ... dragon.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

As for the Little Mermaid I still think it took place in Denmark since Atlantica must have meant that the place must have been in the Atlantic ocean and that's the ocean beside Denmark.

[2099net]

They all took place in a fantasy Europe. I don't think any single one of the films can be accurately placed.

For example, as pointed out above, "Atlantica must have meant that the place must have been in the Atlantic ocean". Yet, Sebastian has a strong caribbean "vibe" to the character, making the location seem more Mediterranean (as does, as pointed out in another post, Eric's appearence, yet the name Eric is Nordic, not Latin).

And the names of the characters in general don't match. Most are Anglo-centric, except where the name defines the character (I'm thinking mostly of the names in Beauty and the Beast here - yet is the Prince really is called Adam, its far from a French royal name).