Blancanieves (2012)
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 47
Fresh: 45 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 8.3/10
Critic Reviews: 12
Fresh: 12 | Rotten: 0
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 1,976
My Rating
Movie Info
Once upon a time there was a little girl who had never known her mother. She learned the art of her father, a famous bullfighter, but was hated by her evil stepmother. One day she ran away with a troupe of dwarves, and became a legend. Set in southern Spain in 1920s, Blancanieves is a tribute to silent films. (c) Cohen Media Group
Cast
-
Maribel Verdu
Encarna -
Daniel Giménez Cacho
Antonio Villalta -
Ángela Molina
Dona Concha -
Pere Ponce
Genaro -
Macarena García
Carmen -
Sofia Oria
Carmencita -
Josep Maria Pou
Don Carlos -
Inma Cuesta
Carmen de Triana -
Ramón Barea
Don Martin -
Emilio Gavira
Jesusin -
Sergio Dorado
Rafita
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (48) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (2)
Most films are experiences to be ignored or at best forgotten. "Blancanieves" is a little classic to be treasured.
Top CriticIt is a full-bodied silent film of the sort that might have been made by the greatest directors of the 1920s, if such details as the kinky sadomasochism of this film's evil stepmother could have been slipped past the censors.
Blancanieves, which won 10 Goyas (Spain's equivalent of the Oscars) and was a smash hit in its native Spain, has traces of a kinky undertone and an uncommon willingness to embrace the darkness inherent in this fairy tale.
As if bewitched, the legend of Snow White is transferred to Seville in the early twentieth century and transformed into high melodrama.
Sensuous, mischievous, hotblooded retelling of the old Teutonic fairy tale.
This gorgeous silent film is an unexpected gift from the gods of pure cinema.
The story might be familiar, but Berger's film is so beautifully shot and so wonderfully scored - and so distinctively Spanish - that it stands as its own film.
Blancanieves holds to the structure, but not strictures, of the source fairy tale.
A new, purely silent movie from Spain that never once speaks and doesn't need to speak. What's more, it seems to get the infinite possibilities of silence, and how much passion can come from it.
Berger's film doesn't show loyalty to any traditional version of Snow White. Berger's Blancanieves takes a darker approach, which seems appropriate.
A completely enchanting fairy tale about the vicissitudes of fate, in live action and glorious black and white.
The fun in the Spanish "Blancanieves" is the way it plays with our expectations.
May not have much depth to its characters or particular surprise, but its lovely depiction of family's ability to harm and mend has the flair of flamenco and the sorrow of opera.
No, "Blancanieves" isn't subtle, but it's an unforgettable time at the movies.
Inspired filmmaking steeped in the imagery of silent film history, a dark Iberian strain of Roman Catholicism and the magic of fairy tales.
... lusty and heartfelt, fiery flamenco and spirited country jig. Don't go expecting a Disney-fied fable. Berger seasons with S&M and the kind of macabre touches you'd expect in vintage Browning or Bunuel.
If not for some faintly disturbing imagery and a pleasingly feminist heroine, you could mistake this for a movie actually made in the 1920s (and even those two factors weren't utterly unknown then).
A loving tribute to European silent films of the 1920s; a reminder that cinema need not be constrained by words.
By the time the film arrives at its grand theatrical finale, you're almost prepared for Berger's last great twist. Almost.
this beautifully shot and imaginatively told fairy tale should be seen my many, but only a few will likely get to enjoy it. This is a shame for the audience it is intended for.
This film is simply gorgeous, pure beauty on film, a vision that leaves you breathless and reeling.
Much of the film's emotion is conveyed by Alfonso de Vilallonga's music, which celebrates Spain with uptempo guitar and flamenco when it isn't tipping its hat to Bernard Herrmann during a scene inspired by Hitchcock.
Audience Reviews for Blancanieves
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for Blancanieves yet.
Latest News on Blancanieves
March 29, 2013:
Critics Consensus: G.I. Joe: Retaliation Hits a RoadblockThis week at the movies, we've got real American heroes (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, starring Dwayne "The...
March 15, 2013:
Critics Consensus: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is Short on Razzle DazzleThis week at the movies, we've got dueling magicians (The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, starring...
What's Hot On RT
Movies Directed by Tyler Perry
Blockbuster news and reviews
Ellen Page in an intriguing new thriller
A gallery of classic books on film
Featured on RT
- Total Recall: Movies Directed by Tyler Perry 41
- Parental Guidance: The Great Gatsby, Jack Reacher, and Safe Haven 5
- Video Interview: Aftershock Producer Eli Roth 3
- Ray Harryhausen: 1920-2013 32
- Digital Multiplex: Cloud Atlas, Pulp Fiction and more 4
- RT on DVD and Blu-Ray: Jack Reacher, Mama, and Upstream Color 34
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: Iron Man 3 Soars Above the Rest 64
Top Headlines
-
Baz Luhrmann Wants DiCaprio for Hamlet
1
-
Bryan Singer Shooting X-Men: Days of Future Past in 3D and Simul-Cam
0
-
Avatar Sequels Shooting in 2014
2
-
Shane Black Confirmed for Doc Savage
0
-
Warner Bros. Plans New Dungeons & Dragons Movie
4
-
Adam Scott in Talks for Hot Tub Time Machine 2
0
-
Summit Already Thinking About Divergent Sequel
1
Fresh Links
Featured
10 Best Movie Trilogies
Pretty self-explanatory here; HitFix offers up their favorite trilogies of all time.
10 Jilted Movie Grooms
Feeling a little sappy? Here are 10 movie grooms who were left at the altar.
Weirdest Movie Siblings
From Twins to The Royal Tenenbaums, Moviefone explores cinema's oddest siblings.
50 Youth-Gone-Wild Movies
TimeOut lists the best movies about youth and rebellion.
30 Greatest Rock & Roll Movie Moments
Rolling Stone boldly proclaims the rockin'-est moments in cinema.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter!
Spice up your feed with hourly Tomatometer updates!
"Blancanieves" is an astounding and breathtaking movie that succeeds extremely well on multiple levels. The first is transposing the Snow White story to the 20th century. Just as the movie changes a few details along the way, one should should not get trapped by any meta aspects if possible, even as one can always admire the intense gusto of Maribel Verdu's performance as a villain for the ages. Not only that but this is also a silent movie, made in the fashion of others of the time period, with the addition of a couple of stunning edits.(And the zeppelin is a nice touch, by the way.) And then there is the deep respect for the local traditions of bullfighting, thus making this the best sports movie in maybe close to a decade.