A Princess, a Glass Slipper, and a Spectacular Silver Horse = #1 Movie in the World
Lily James is Cinderella and Richard Madden is the Prince in Disney’s live-action CINDERELLA, directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley
©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
“Why it’s like a dream. A wonderful dream come true…” – Cinderella
By: Brittany Bevis
“Once upon a time in a faraway land,” children everywhere fell in love with the tale of a hardworking young girl named Ella and her journey towards discovering life, love, and a well-deserved happily ever after. Now, 65 years after the original Cinderella was released in 1950, Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures has another massive hit on their hands with the live action version of the timeless fairytale.
After its release two weeks ago, Cinderella is now the #1 movie in the world, thanks to masterful performances by the angelic Lily James (Cinderella), dashing Richard Madden (Prince), Academy Award®-winner Cate Blanchett (Stepmother), and Oscar®-nominee Helena Bonham Carter (Fairy Godmother).
Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
You’re probably familiar with the basics of the story… Following the death of her father, Ella is forced to endure a life of hardship and cruelty at the hands of her evil stepmother and awful stepsisters. After a chance encounter with a handsome stranger and some help from her Fairy Godmother and four-legged companions, it appears Ella’s fortunes might change.
But there are a few things you might not know…
Walt Disney was always fond of horses, often using them as characters in his cartoons, movies, and employing them within his theme parks to pull carriages. However, Cinderella was the very first Disney Princess to own a horse, a kind grey named Major. Major, or “Frou” in some adaptions of the fairytale, is said to have originally belonged to Cinderella’s father, who gave the horse to his daughter as a gift.
Fun Trivia: The only horses owned by Disney Princesses
- 1st- “Major” belongs to Cinderella (Cinderella)
- 2nd- “Phillipe” belongs to Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
- 3rd- “Khan” belongs to Mulan’s family (Mulan)
- 4th- “Angus” belongs to Merida and her family (Brave)
Cinderella and the Prince meet in the woods, on horseback of course! Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The incredible horse drawn carriage that carries Cinderella to the ball. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Enjoy Disney trivia? Scroll below to read about some of your other favorite horse characters.
- Beauty and The Beast– “Phillipe” is a Clydesdale that belongs to Belle and her father Maurice. Notable scenes: Phillipe and Maurice become lost in the woods and Philipe is frightened by sound of wolves and throws Maurice off; after leaving the castle, Phillipe and Belle are attacked by wolves in the woods; Beast defends the pair, is hurt, and is carried back to the castle on Phillipe’s back.
- Mulan– “Khan” is the Fa family’s black horse that accompanies Mulan into battle. He is loyal and protective but haughty and temperamental.
- Brave– “Angus” is a Scottish black Shire with white muzzle and socks. He is stubborn but very loyal and accompanies Merida on all her adventures.
- Tangled– “Maximus” is a horse to the Captain of the Guards, and he is different than most horses portrayed in Disney films. He is not just a sidekick but his own individual character. Maximus is very intelligent, has a sense of humor, understands human speech, and engages in physical comedy with the other characters.
- Frozen– “Sitron” is a Fjord horse, with dun colored and a black and off white mane, that belongs to Prince Hans.
- Sleeping Beauty– “Samson” is Prince Phillip’s horse. He is white with a black mane and tail.
- Aladdin– (not in the original movie, but in later films) Sahara is Jasmine’s horse. He is feisty, slightly aggressive, and unpredictable. He was Jasmine’s mother’s favorite horse.
Now in theaters everywhere. ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
