Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs
Princes who have been turned into Dwarfs seek the red shoes of a lady in order to break the spell, although it will not be easy. A parody with a twist.
The film disappointed at the box office against its moderate budget of $20.0M, earning $10.1M globally (-50% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the animation genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs (2019) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Hong Sung-ho's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Princess Snow White is introduced as an average-looking princess whose father the King seeks a magical solution to make her beautiful, establishing a world obsessed with physical appearance.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Snow White discovers and puts on the magical red shoes, which transform her appearance into a stunning beauty, but she doesn't realize the shoes are cursed and cannot be easily removed.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Snow White actively chooses to continue living as her beautiful alter-ego and takes refuge with the seven dwarfs, committing to this new life and entering into a relationship with them based on deception., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Snow White and Merlin share a romantic moment and she believes she can have both her beautiful appearance and genuine love, but the stakes raise as the truth about the shoes and her deception becomes harder to maintain., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Snow White's true appearance is revealed to Merlin and the dwarfs, destroying their trust. Merlin feels betrayed by her deception, and she loses both her beautiful appearance and the relationships she'd built, representing the death of her false identity., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Snow White realizes that true beauty comes from within and makes the choice to embrace her authentic self. She understands that real love isn't based on appearance and decides to fight for what's right regardless of how she looks., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs against these established plot points, we can identify how Hong Sung-ho utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Princess Snow White is introduced as an average-looking princess whose father the King seeks a magical solution to make her beautiful, establishing a world obsessed with physical appearance.
Theme
The magic mirror or a court advisor comments on true beauty versus appearance, stating the film's central theme about inner beauty versus outer appearance.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the fairy tale world: Snow White's insecurity about her looks, her father's kingdom, the seven cursed princes who appear as green dwarfs, and the villainous Queen Regina who possesses magic and the red shoes.
Disruption
Snow White discovers and puts on the magical red shoes, which transform her appearance into a stunning beauty, but she doesn't realize the shoes are cursed and cannot be easily removed.
Resistance
Snow White grapples with her new appearance and the attention it brings. She encounters the seven dwarfs (cursed princes) and begins to navigate life in her transformed state, uncertain about whether to reveal her true self.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Snow White actively chooses to continue living as her beautiful alter-ego and takes refuge with the seven dwarfs, committing to this new life and entering into a relationship with them based on deception.
Mirror World
Snow White begins developing a genuine connection with Merlin (the leader of the dwarfs), who sees beyond appearances. Their relationship becomes the emotional core that will teach her about true beauty and authenticity.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Snow White living a double life: bonding with the dwarfs while maintaining her beautiful facade, comedic moments of nearly being discovered, growing romance with Merlin, and the dwarfs' attempts to break their own curse.
Midpoint
False victory: Snow White and Merlin share a romantic moment and she believes she can have both her beautiful appearance and genuine love, but the stakes raise as the truth about the shoes and her deception becomes harder to maintain.
Opposition
Queen Regina intensifies her pursuit of the red shoes, Snow White's lies become more elaborate and burdensome, Merlin begins to suspect something is wrong, and the pressure of maintaining the deception while deepening her feelings creates mounting conflict.
Collapse
Snow White's true appearance is revealed to Merlin and the dwarfs, destroying their trust. Merlin feels betrayed by her deception, and she loses both her beautiful appearance and the relationships she'd built, representing the death of her false identity.
Crisis
Snow White confronts her deepest shame and insecurity about her appearance. In her darkest moment, she must reckon with why she lied and whether she can accept herself as she truly is, separated from both the shoes and those she loves.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Snow White realizes that true beauty comes from within and makes the choice to embrace her authentic self. She understands that real love isn't based on appearance and decides to fight for what's right regardless of how she looks.
Synthesis
Snow White, as her true self, confronts Queen Regina to save the dwarfs and the kingdom. She combines her inner growth with courage, proving her worth through her actions rather than her appearance, ultimately breaking both her curse and the princes' curse through true love.
Transformation
Final image shows Snow White confident and happy in her own skin, accepted and loved for who she truly is. Merlin and she are together, both in their true forms, demonstrating the complete transformation from appearance-obsessed to authentic self-acceptance.