Disney’s Frozen has been a fan favourite animated film for a long time in the world, which has amazed the world with its fairytale characters, iconic character development and stunning imagery. But did you know Frozen is based on a very old fairy tale? Here in this article we are going to discuss in detail about how Frozen came to be, the legend it is based on, and how Disney has remade the classic to create another masterpiece.
Where It’s From: “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen
Frozen is based on “The Snow Queen,” a fairy tale by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen from 1844. This one, like Frozen, is a story of romance, bravery and good versus evil. Yet there aren’t any clear parallels between the two stories, as Disney adapted and rebooted the tale for the contemporary age.
Plot of “The Snow Queen”
“The Snow Queen is a story about two childhood friends Gerda and Kai. The Snow Queen chains Kai in a magic mirror and kidnaps him, Gerda embarks on a perilous mission to save him. And magic greets her, and she overcomes obstacles and ultimately reveals that the love and innocence of heart can surpass even dark magic.
The Snow Queen to Frozen: Disney’s Revolution of Retelling
Though it draws on “The Snow Queen,” Frozen goes much farther afield from Andersen’s story. What’s different here are the big differences — and Disney’s version of the story:
1. Character Transformation
- The snow queen of “The Snow Queen” is an amoral, unfeeling villain.
- Elsa is a character with fears, struggles and a story about accepting herself — not too different from the story of the Snow Queen herself.
2. Sibling Bond vs. Friendship
- Andersen’s is about Gerda’s friendship with Kai.
- Frozen features the sisters Anna and Elsa—together—and family love is at the core of its story.
3. A Modern Feminist Perspective
- In contrast to classic fairytales, however, Frozen subverts the idea of “true love” as a romantic ideal. Rather, he shows the power of selfless brotherly love in a new way for today’s readers.
Themes Shared by Both Tales
They are very different, but there are two big strains of “The Snow Queen” and also of Frozen that resonate with us.
- Love as Redemption: Whether it’s Gerda’s love for Kai or Anna’s love for Elsa, love is a reincarnation.
- Overcoming Difficulties: Both books feature heroic protagonists who face challenges and exhibit bravery and resilience.
The Good and Evil Are Competing: The magic mirror in Andersen’s story and Elsa’s internal struggle are all metaphors for the battle between darkness and light.
Why Frozen Stands Out
After Disney’s decision to adapt “The Snow Queen”, they had a chance at telling an alternative, more human story for modern audiences. And while Frozen was a movie about Elsa’s internal battle and the sort of ineffable sisterly love that you don’t quite know how to explain, it was also a movie about empowerment, personal discovery and love in its purest form.
Conclusion
Disney has a knack for bringing old stories into modern times and, though Frozen was based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen”, it’s proof that the studio is capable of reinterpreting tales for new generations. Frozen, via its original story, moving tracks and interesting characters is a cultural juggernaut. Not only does the film honour its literary roots it does so while making a statement in itself and it is easily consumable by everyone.
When we learn the source material of Frozen, we see the extent to which transforming a 19th-century fairy tale into 21st-century art required the imagination and craft it took.
