Evie Summers
In Disney's 1959 animated film 'Sleeping Beauty', Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday. The character of Aurora is considered to be the film's protagonist and has been described as kind, elegant, shy, and sophisticated. Aurora is sheltered from anyone and anything that could harm her, including being raised in a secluded cottage under the alias Briar Rose by three good fairies. Despite their efforts, the curse is soon upon Aurora, and she falls into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by a kiss from her true love, a handsome prince named Phillip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Princess | Aurora |
| Name of the Movie | Sleeping Beauty |
| Year of Release | 1959 |
| Age of the Princess | 16 years |
| Name of the Prince | Phillip |
| Age of the Prince | 19-20 years |
| Name of the Villain | Maleficent |
| Princess's Parents | King Stefan and Queen Leah |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Aurora was 16 years old
Aurora is the daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leah, and she debuted in Disney's 1959 animated film, "Sleeping Beauty." She is considered the film's protagonist, though some argue that the three good fairies are the true heroes of the story, as they make all the critical decisions and Aurora remains passive throughout.
Aurora is sheltered from the world by her fairy guardians, who raise her in a secluded cottage under the alias Briar Rose to protect her from Maleficent. As a result, she is initially portrayed as naive and carefree, enjoying her lonely life as she knows no other. She is kind, elegant, shy, and sophisticated, as well as a hopeless romantic.
When Aurora meets a handsome man in the forest, she is naturally apprehensive due to her upbringing, but she is drawn to him and agrees to meet him again under the supervision of her fairy guardians. Unbeknownst to her, the man is Prince Phillip, to whom she has been betrothed since infancy.
The actress Elle Fanning, who played Aurora in the 2014 live-action reimagining "Maleficent," was also 16 years old, capturing the innocence of the character.
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The curse was altered from death to sleep
In Disney's 1959 animated feature film "Sleeping Beauty", Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent. The curse is that before sunset on her 16th birthday, Aurora will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die. However, one of the three good fairies, Merryweather, alters the curse so that instead of dying, Aurora will fall into a deep sleep and can only be awakened by a kiss from her true love.
The change in the curse from death to sleep is a significant alteration to the original story, and it adds a layer of hope and romance to the tale. It also shifts the focus of the story from death and tragedy to the power of love and the idea of a happy ending. This alteration also allows for the introduction of the handsome Prince Phillip, who plays a crucial role in breaking the curse and rescuing Aurora.
The decision to alter the curse may have been influenced by a desire to make the story more suitable for a younger audience. In the original Grimm's fairy tale, which inspired the Disney version, the story was much darker, especially considering Aurora's age. By changing the curse to a sleep spell, Disney softened the story and made it more appropriate for a family audience.
Additionally, the altered curse adds a level of complexity to the character of Maleficent. In the live-action remake "Maleficent" (2014), the story is retold from the villain's perspective, and we see that Maleficent's pity for Aurora overcomes her initial rage towards the king. This portrayal of Maleficent as a complex and conflicted character, rather than purely evil, adds depth to the story and explores the idea of redemption and second chances.
Overall, the alteration of the curse from death to sleep is a crucial element of the Sleeping Beauty story as it allows for the exploration of themes such as love, redemption, and the power of fairy magic. It also enables Disney to put their signature stamp on the tale, transforming it into a classic animated feature film that has captivated audiences for generations.
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The role of protagonist is debated
The role of protagonist in Sleeping Beauty is debated, with some arguing that it is Princess Aurora, and others suggesting it is the three good fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather.
On the one hand, Aurora is typically considered the film's main character and protagonist. She is the titular character of the film, and her journey and experiences are central to the narrative. Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday. The film follows her life leading up to this event and the subsequent breaking of the curse.
However, others argue that the three good fairies are the true protagonists of the story. Leigh Butler of Tor.com supports this view, stating that the fairies "make all the critical decisions in the film, the ones which drive the action," while Aurora acts more like a pawn. Butler further emphasizes that Aurora "never grows as a character" and has no agency in the film. She is acted upon rather than acting, which diminishes her role as the hero of the story. K. M. Weiland of Helping Writers Become Authors shares a similar perspective, noting that Aurora "has no arc."
The three good fairies play a crucial role in altering the curse so that Aurora will not die but only sleep until awakened by true love's kiss. They also take on the responsibility of raising Aurora in a secluded cottage under the alias Briar Rose to protect her from Maleficent. Their decisions and actions significantly impact the narrative, supporting the argument that they are the driving forces of the story.
While the debate continues, it is worth noting that the interpretation of the protagonist can vary depending on individual perspectives and critical analysis. The film's focus on Aurora's journey and experiences naturally positions her as the central character, but the argument that the three good fairies are the true protagonists highlights their agency and impact on the narrative.
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Maleficent raises Aurora in the live-action version
In the 2014 live-action film "Maleficent", Princess Aurora, or Sleeping Beauty, is the deuteragonist. She is the daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leila and the "goddaughter" of the fairy Maleficent. During her christening as an infant, Maleficent cursed Aurora, decreeing that on her sixteenth birthday, she would prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into a death-like sleep.
To protect her from this fate, Stefan entrusts three pixies, Knotgrass, Flittle, and Thistlewit, to raise Aurora in a remote cottage away from the palace grounds. Over the years, Maleficent carefully watches over Aurora, as the pixies struggle to raise her and live their lives as human women. Despite their efforts, the curse eventually comes to fruition, and Aurora learns of her true lineage and the identity of her fairy godmother, Maleficent. Heartbroken, she confronts Maleficent and rides to her father's castle, where Stefan locks her away, angered that the pixies failed in their task.
As her sixteenth birthday arrives, the curse's power calls to Aurora, drawing her to the dungeon, where she pricks her finger on the spinning wheel and falls into a deep sleep. Maleficent, filled with maternal love, and Diaval, her companion, abduct Prince Philip and infiltrate the castle to save Aurora. However, the prince's kiss is not enough to break the spell. Ultimately, it is Maleficent's tearful kiss that awakens Aurora, showcasing the power of a mother's love.
In the film, Aurora is portrayed as kind, gentle, brave, and compassionate. She develops a close relationship with Maleficent, seeing her as a mother figure even after discovering her role in the curse. The live-action version of the story focuses on the complex and conflicted nature of Maleficent, exploring her backstory and motivations. This interpretation offers a unique perspective on the classic tale, highlighting the bond between Aurora and Maleficent and presenting a different take on the traditional fairy godmother role.
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The 1959 film has 34 dubbings
The 1959 film Sleeping Beauty is based on Charles Perrault's 1697 fairy tale of the same name. The film follows Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to die before sunset on her 16th birthday by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel.
The film was produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Film Distribution. It was first released in theatres on January 29, 1959, and was Disney's most expensive animated feature at the time, costing $6 million to produce.
The 1959 film Sleeping Beauty has 34 dubbings currently in use in as many languages. The dubbing process began in 1959 and within a year, the film had been dubbed into 10 languages. Over the years, Disney expanded its market to new countries, leading to the film being dubbed into a growing number of languages. The dubbing process also involved re-dubbing some of the older versions. Today, only five of the original 10 dubbings are still in use, while the other five have been substituted by newer versions.
The process of dubbing Sleeping Beauty into multiple languages was not without its challenges. For example, in the Danish dubbing, Aurora's speaking voice was provided by Ellen Winther, but the directors felt that her voice did not suit the character's singing voice. As a result, she was replaced by Inge Stauss for the singing parts. Similarly, in the first Latin American Spanish dubbing, Estrellita Díaz provided both the speaking and singing voices for Aurora. However, her vocals were later replaced, though it is unclear who replaced her.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Aurora is cursed on the day of her christening by the evil fairy Maleficent.
The curse placed on Aurora by Maleficent is set to take effect before sunset on her 16th birthday.
Aurora is awoken by a kiss from Prince Phillip, to whom she was betrothed since infancy. It is not explicitly stated how old she is when she is awoken, but it is said that the curse took place around 20 years ago, so she would be 36.
Elle Fanning portrays Aurora in the 2014 live-action film "Maleficent". She was 16 years old when the movie was released.
