Post by Sharkey on Jul 17, 2005 12:54:29 GMT -5
If you are like me, and were younger than 7 when first watching Disney films, the chances are that one or more of the villains scared the living daylights out of you. Here are the reasons I've selected these particular villains:
Wicked Queen Grimhilde (Snow White) - One of the things I found frightening about the Queen was her motive. Her vanity had turned her mad, and in order to dispose of the fairest of all, she changed her own fair appearance and became an ugly old hag; she was ruthless. One of the scariest scenes is when she prepares the potion and we witness her transformation. But the part that is possibly the creepiest is the two vultures following her as though knowing death is on its way, and finally gliding towards her body (which we don't see) with those grotesque grins on their faces.
Coachman (Pinnochio) - There seemed to be something very scary about the fact that he enjoyed torturing children. It was very unsettling when he laughed maliciously, as well.
Chernabog (Fantasia) - Chernabog gets my vote. The 'Night on Bald Mountain' music was already rather scary, and he just looked so downright evil, particularly with those fiery slits for eyes, that I looked away (I was four at the time, you understand!). I think that the fact that he didn't speak or roar (Fantasia being a concert feature) gave him a sort of silent foreboding.
Headless Horseman (Ichabod and Mr. Toad) - I didn't get scared by the Horseman, as I was considerably older when I saw the film. But it is still rather unsettling to know that, whether it was Brom Bones or the Ghost of the Horseman Himself (the film made the latter more likely), whatever killed Ichabod was still out there.
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) - Like Queen Grimhilde, she had an odd motive but was relentless and ruthless, and had a scary, sinister quality to her. It always seemed to me as though she could have killed the whole kingdom if she wanted to, but had decided to keep them to toy with - even the three fairies weren't a match for her when on their own. The creepiest scene, I think, is when she appears as a dim outline in Aurora's fireplace.
The Horned King (The Black Cauldron) - This Sauron-like villain was pure evil, like Maleficent. We never saw quite what he could do, but the way anyone who saw him was completely terrified seemed to imply that he had enormous power at his disposal. His death was truly horrific, particularly as Disney demises go.
Ursula (The Little Mermaid) - She never seemed to show genuine emotion, except when angry, and I think that was what was slightly unsettling: that she was always putting on a show, like the Coachman. I wasn't scared by her, but was certainly at least startled when she suddenly rose from the waves as a giant monster. She was another villain who had one purpose, and would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.
I have added an 'Other' option, if you were scared by any other villains, so please say who you were thinking of if you choose that option!
Wicked Queen Grimhilde (Snow White) - One of the things I found frightening about the Queen was her motive. Her vanity had turned her mad, and in order to dispose of the fairest of all, she changed her own fair appearance and became an ugly old hag; she was ruthless. One of the scariest scenes is when she prepares the potion and we witness her transformation. But the part that is possibly the creepiest is the two vultures following her as though knowing death is on its way, and finally gliding towards her body (which we don't see) with those grotesque grins on their faces.
Coachman (Pinnochio) - There seemed to be something very scary about the fact that he enjoyed torturing children. It was very unsettling when he laughed maliciously, as well.
Chernabog (Fantasia) - Chernabog gets my vote. The 'Night on Bald Mountain' music was already rather scary, and he just looked so downright evil, particularly with those fiery slits for eyes, that I looked away (I was four at the time, you understand!). I think that the fact that he didn't speak or roar (Fantasia being a concert feature) gave him a sort of silent foreboding.
Headless Horseman (Ichabod and Mr. Toad) - I didn't get scared by the Horseman, as I was considerably older when I saw the film. But it is still rather unsettling to know that, whether it was Brom Bones or the Ghost of the Horseman Himself (the film made the latter more likely), whatever killed Ichabod was still out there.
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) - Like Queen Grimhilde, she had an odd motive but was relentless and ruthless, and had a scary, sinister quality to her. It always seemed to me as though she could have killed the whole kingdom if she wanted to, but had decided to keep them to toy with - even the three fairies weren't a match for her when on their own. The creepiest scene, I think, is when she appears as a dim outline in Aurora's fireplace.
The Horned King (The Black Cauldron) - This Sauron-like villain was pure evil, like Maleficent. We never saw quite what he could do, but the way anyone who saw him was completely terrified seemed to imply that he had enormous power at his disposal. His death was truly horrific, particularly as Disney demises go.
Ursula (The Little Mermaid) - She never seemed to show genuine emotion, except when angry, and I think that was what was slightly unsettling: that she was always putting on a show, like the Coachman. I wasn't scared by her, but was certainly at least startled when she suddenly rose from the waves as a giant monster. She was another villain who had one purpose, and would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.
I have added an 'Other' option, if you were scared by any other villains, so please say who you were thinking of if you choose that option!