FrontGates Dev Library Items
  Home    Search    Register    Login
 
DVD    VHS    Book    Games    Music
 
Get Latest Version From Amazon
Title
Rating : 3.5
 
 
Description
Source : Amazon.com
What begins as a simple, bittersweet tale about a widower's daughter grandly unfolds into a rich, mythical adventure in Hallmark's production of Snow Queen. Based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, this story whisks viewers to a remote mountain town where winter claims a surprising number of lives, beginning with the local innkeeper's wife. Many years later, the woman's daughter, Gerda (Chelsea Hobbs), finds true love when her father hires Kai (Jeremy Guilbaut) as the inn's new bellboy. About one hour into this three-hour production, the mood turns rather sinister as the Snow Queen (Bridget Fonda) bewitches and captures Kai. Scenes of Gerda's search--through the lush temptations of each season personified--are interspersed with downright creepy scenes of Kai held prisoner in the Snow Queen's ice palace. Keen acting and smart direction engross the viewer, but those under 8 years old might not be ready for the repetitive themes of seduction and temptation. --Liane Thomas
Cover Image
Product Information
Released on : December 8, 2002
Theatrical Release on : December 8, 2002
Running Time : 180 minutes
Publisher : Lions Gate
Rated : NR (Not Rated)
Director(s) : David Wu
Total Discs : 1
Format : Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full S
Languages : English, English
Aspect Ratio : 1.66:1
Studio : Lions Gate
Actors
Bridget Fonda, Jeremy Guilbaut, Chelsea Hobbs, Robert Wisden, Wanda Cannon
 
Price
List Price: $14.98 USD
Price: $13.49 USD
You Save: $1.49 USD (10%)
Buy Now On Amazon!
 
Similar Items
B0000640T0 DVD Snow White - The Fairest of Them All
6305742030 DVD The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns
B00005UW87 DVD Jack and the Beanstalk - The Real Story
B0000648XE DVD The 10th Kingdom
B00005NB94 DVD Arabian Nights
 
Customer Review Results
RatingDateSummaryContent
5 2010-07-22 A TRUE "Reflection"...... What do we REALLY see, how does it affect us and those around us? An extremely powerful lesson lies in the tale of Kai, Gerda and the SNOW QUEEN! This DVD is wonderfully made, family friendly, yet GREAT for ALL!!!
Fantastic scenery, and an excellent cast (with nice bonuses from the director, etc.)...how amazed and pleased Mr. Hans-Christian Andersen would be to see this story come ALIVE!
What a tool this is...not only to enjoy a very well portrayed timeless fairytale, but to teach without lecture or verse.
A 'must-have' in any DVD library!!!
5 2010-02-15 the snow queen the snow queen spins a tail of the intensitiy of innocent love the the lenght some would go to for that love. it tells the story of a father , his daughter. how they deal with loss of the love of power, the lenghts one goes to to achieve what they desire the most- the daughter, the queen, the bear....a inspirational moving tale.
3 2009-10-08 Beautiful scenery but the plot makes no sense whatsoever I'll start off by saying I'm a huge fan of fantasy movies. I'm 33, but I just adore stories like The Neverending Story (I even liked the sequel!), The Golden Compass, all the Harry Potters, etc. So, I expected to enjoy this. Sadly, however, I'm finding myself ask "why" every five seconds, in between admiring the lovely scenery.

The plot just makes no sense at all. None of the characters seem to know why they do things, and the audience, thus, knows even less! Why does the Snow Queen capture boys? Why do boys like her? Why are other seasons trying to kidnap Gerda? Why does Gerda fall for it? Why, why, why? Why does Kai write a 'help me' note to Gerda but then go off and follow the Snow Queen? Why doesn't the Snow Queen feed him if she wants him to live? etc etc etc., the list could go on and on...

I think if the actors had more of an idea of their motivation (I'm guessing they didn't?) they might be more convincing and life-like... not that they didn't do a good job, per se, but I think the acting is hampered by the crazy insane, unexplained plot.

All that said, the scenery is wonderful, I love the different lightings and mood; I think with some explanations and a more cohesive plot, it would have been a little better.

This is a review of the 2 hr hallmark version - perhaps a lot was left out???

4 2009-09-09 Good Family Move This is a good family move. One of the TV stations in our area split it into a 2 day move. Our DVR did not get the 2nd part. We just had to get our hand on this move to see how it ended.
4 2009-08-13 . . .first you must go through each season. . . I'm an adult who is still a sucker for and fascinated by faerie tales, especially when they are faithful to the origingal concept/intent of the story. I feel that for the most part, this filmed version of 'The Snow Queen' does a fine job of it. Contrary to many reviews, I enjoyed Bridget Fonda as the Snow Queen. She was cold, detatched and potentially cruel-as is the season that she embodies. All of the other actors were invested and talented, except the woman playing Summer, but more on that later.

What I love about this particular faerie tale is how it relates to the concept that love must endure all seasons and be tested harshly at every turn. This is a human truth and a morality tale that holds true through the time that has passed since this story's genesis. Gerda is tested by each of the seasons to retrieve her lost love, Kai, as he has been abducted by the Snow Queen. The movie is wonderful at personifying each season (except summer) as Gerda fights to rescue Kai. The imagery is lush and easy to get lost in.

Gerda begins with Spring. I loved the unyielding innocence of the lady of Spring. The actress that portrays her is remarkable. Then Gerda confronts the lady of Summer. I hated this part of the film and it is the ONLY reason that I gave the film four instead of five stars. The actress is horrid. She reduces a timeless tale to Disney Channel/empty Hollywood fare. (and after all, didn't those two forces destroy faerie tales in the first place?) It's the only part I cannot bring myself to watch again.

Gerda them moves on to Fall. I loved this bit. She was very Earthy almost Pagan. Wild and unrestrained. She is fearless and destroys the remnants of Summer with a delightful glee.

Then, the finale. I really dug the bit about Satan and the mirror. I felt that it exposed the vanity of each of the seasons. Wonderful. Yes, I agree that it could frighten young children, but it is essential to the plot. What should be more frightening to these parents (who have written reviews) is Hannah Montana. Shows like that kill the imagination and waste the time of too many young children. Do them a favor and rent or buy this film and also Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre.