Introduction to Fairytale

It has been said that fairytales are closely linked in origin to folktales, passed by word-of-mouth down the generations. They are lasting stories with strong hero characters that audiences can identify with, happy endings and occasionally incorporate moral lessons. The word ‘fairytale’ is often linked with monsters, mythical creatures and magical far-away places. However, fairytales were originally set in recognisable locations with everyday characters, from peasants to royalty. Ruth B. Bottigheimer identifies two main types of classic fairytale: the ‘restoration tale’ and the ‘rise tale’. In the former, a prince or princess is somehow exiled, struggles to survive in the outside world but has adventures and is eventually restored to the throne ‘with the help of magic’.  In the latter, a poor hero manages to climb in the world to a higher position, usually through marriage and magic, and becomes wealthy. ‘Rise tales’ are usually shorter and less complex fairytales in comparison to ‘restoration tales’ as the hero only undergoes one major change rather than falling and rising once again.

The story of ‘Anna’ has been inspired by fairytales, holding most similarities with the ‘rise tales’ of the Renaissance period: Henry undergoes a transformation from a ‘lower’ situation as a fish to a ‘higher’ situation as a human, and this comes about because of his love for the young grieving girl, Anna. Mysterious magic also aids Henry’s transformation. It could be said that ‘Anna’ shares similarities with tales such as The Ugly Duckling or The Frog Prince, and that the touch of pain added to the story through Anna’s grief for the loss of her father recalls the pain explored in some of Hans Christian Anderson’s more adult fairytales.

Amanda Seyfried in 'Red Riding Hood'

‘Anna’ is not the only fairytale in production at the moment, although it appears to be the only original 3D animated fairytale. Adaptations of classic fairytales recently released or in production include Little Red Riding Hood (starring Amanda Seyfried), Snow White (with Charlize Theron as the wicked step mother), Beauty and the Beast (a modern-take on the tale starring Vanessa Hutchens), Jack and the Beanstalk (with Bill Nighy as the lead giant) and Hansel and Gretel (which explores the witch-hunting days of the grown-up children). Stay tuned for more news...