Is It True That Disney Never Makes Original Films?

I recently heard a comment that made sense, at first. The comment was along the lines of, “Walt Disney never made an original story.” I thought, “Yes, that’s right, he made movies from existing stories such as the fairy tales of Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, and from books like Pinocchio and The Jungle Book.” Fast forward to our lifetime, and the films were very similar to this – think the tales of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and ancient legends of Hercules and Mulan.




On the surface, this comment sounded true. But I now realize, it wasn’t!

The same person said once that Walt Disney’s films were controversial at the time of release, because he had made his own unique version of the traditional stories. Prior to his films, there were multiple versions that circulated around. Snow White might have had a different ending, or Cinderella might have had an extra subplot or an additional detail. People were quite comfortable with these varying versions of the tales.

And here came along Walt Disney saying, “Here’s my version, and that’s what the story is now!”

So now I see, this person who said both these things contradicted himself somewhat.

My argument is that, in creating unique, standout stories - loosely based on existing stories, Walt Disney was indeed being original and creative. Aren’t all artists inspired by something in the first place?


I will leave you with this quote:

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.

~C. S. Lewis

Interstellar and Star Wars

I saw Interstellar at my local multiplex recently. Director Christopher Nolan had impressed me with Inception in 2010 as an original film which was far more engaging and challenging to the mind than most big budget movies. I also appreciate the Dark Knight trilogy which he has directed - even if my Batman fanboy friends don't enjoy them as true Batman stories.

Interstellar was, as one friend of mine put it, a movie that sticks in your head. It follows a farmer in the US, 50 or so years in the future from now. The biggest industry in that time is farming, since the world had run out of food (apparently resulting in world wars). Matthew McConaughey deftly portrays a father who needs to go very far to save humanity from disappearing.

I agree, Interstellar does indeed stick in your mind. From a passionate speech on the powerful value of love from Oscar- winner Anne Hathaway, to the courageous, colourful and fast paced climax, the film puts pictures - and music from Hans Zimmer - in your memory.

Which brings me to Star Wars. With the teaser trailer for Episode VII: The Force Awakens online this week, it makes me draw a comparison between the two. Interstellar accesses deep emotions and covers epic themes of humanity, family and destiny. To me, Star Wars should do the same thing. Anakin's descent into the dark side and ultimate redemption has set a benchmark for the types of stories the Star Wars films should cover. But I wonder if the producers at Disney are on the same wavelength as me?



I'm not a Disney basher... all the time. I find many of their family movies heartwarming and entertaining (see my review for Saving Mr Banks, for an example). One thing I find, though, is that Disney likes to make money. So much so, they don't keep the integrity of their characters throughout all licensed products. You can find Belle from Beauty and the Beast presented with 5 different faces along different product lines of toys, books and DVDs. I just hope that they respect the Star Wars fans better than they respect young girls who buy princesses and fairies.

Back to Interstellar. Upon the credits rolling, I felt inspired. Inspired that stories can change me - change the world. I hope that we see more such movies - and maybe some called Star Wars.