Happy Thursday Main Streeters! Today’s blog in the series of Life Lessons to be learned from Disney movies has us digging up the 1959 film, Sleeping Beauty. Dust off your vault copies friends, we have lots to learn from the Princess known as Aurora and some unforgettable characters that still touch our hearts today.
As with all the blogs written in this series, I welcome readers to interpret and apply the quotes shared from the movie, and themes discussed to their personal lives in ways they see fit. Every person is different, and what insight I draw from writing this blog or analyzing the movie, may not be how you interpret things. That’s totally okay, every Disney movie is open to interpretation, and the magic of Disney lives within us all differently.
The release of Sleeping Beauty came a long four years after the last animated film Lady and the Tramp was released. Can you even imagine? Our generation is incredibly fortunate to have all sorts of Disney movies in the theater what seems like year-round. Back in 1959, I am certain the release of a new movie was quite to the delight of audiences.
What made Sleeping Beauty special production wise, is that it was the first to be in Technicolor and photographed using a Super Technirama 70 widescreen process. It was the second Disney movie to be in widescreen. This meant for some beautiful scenes and animation set to an orchestra score with adaptations of music straight from Tchaikovsky.
Now, let’s talk a little about the story development, and throw in some trivia worthy facts. If anyone is familiar with the fairy tale version of Sleeping Beauty, you know her name isn’t Aurora in the tale; it’s Briar Rose. Disney gave a nod to the Ballet version of Sleeping Beauty by calling the Princess Aurora, and re-naming her when she goes into hiding with the Fairies, as Briar Rose.
Another fun fact about this movie that may one day come up in a round of Disney trivia, and also conveniently comes on the heels of the Royal Wedding; our dashing Prince is the first Disney Prince to actually have a name. He is known as Prince Philip. and is named after the Duke of Edinburgh, who is Prince Harry’s Grandpa. Both Princes in Snow White and Cinderella which were princess stories released prior to Sleeping Beauty do not have official names in the movies, they are known as The Prince and Prince Charming.
Many firsts for this tale of a cursed princess who is saved by true love’s kiss, but what about those life lessons? Let’s start with a little referenced quote;
Wait, Prince Phillip. The road to true love may be barred by still many more dangers, which you alone will have to face. So arm thyself with this enchanted Shield of Virtue, and this mighty Sword of Truth, for these weapons of righteousness will triumph over evil.– Flora
Let’s take a step out of the context of this incredibly romantic quote and apply it to life in general. Virtue and Truth are the weapons of righteousness that will triumph over evil. Virtue is defined as the behavior showing high morals, and truth is defined as fact or belief that is accepted as true. Can’t we reasonably say that life itself is a road that is barred by so many dangers, and so many evils? How do we combat those day in and day out? I think Walt was laying some solid ideas to viewers that behaving with high morals and not bamboozling anyone is the way to be successful and triumph over all things that could be considered evil. It’s simply a metaphor to do the right thing and you will be rewarded for it. In this case, Prince Philip was able to defeat Maleficent in dragon form and rescue Aurora, he was rewarded with love, and we got that happily ever after.
Another theme we see in Sleeping Beauty reinforces the life lessons of:
Tell us Main Streeters, what did you learn from this classic princess tale? Share with us! Don’t forget to come back next Thursday for more life lessons from Disney movies!
Erika is excited to be on the TMSM team and where Disney Parks are concerned, you won’t catch her dead on It’s a Small World. If she asks to ride that, this is a clear indication that she is in danger and you must send help. You will, however, catch her performing Random Acts of Disney (R.A.D’s), park hopping with her amazing group of impressively talented and kind friends (usually in some themed attire), hanging out by The Haunted Mansion, and ugly crying during fireworks… then begging for a Mickey Premium Bar to eat her feelings…this is a judgment-free bio.
Otherwise, Erika works for the State of Florida and is actively involved in her community. Erika believes in empowering others and spreading kindness to people from all walks of life. Erika also makes custom designed Disney inspired ears, etched glass, gifts, and accessories. You can check out, like or follow her work on FB, which also links to my shop’s Instagram: www.facebook.com/imagineering.emporium. She looks forward to getting to know everyone and sharing the magic of Disney!
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