This page provides a short bio of the major (and some minor) characters that
make up Disney's Sleeping Beauty
Princess Aurora / Briar Rose
Princess Aurora (or Briar Rose, as she was known while in hiding) is the only
child of King Stefan and his Queen. Aurora was blessed with beauty and song at
her christening, but she was also cursed to die before the age of 16 by a prick
from a spinning wheel's spindle. Consequently, Aurora is raised deep in the
forest by the three good fairies to avoid the fulfillment of the curse. Aurora
grows into the most beautiful of maidens with long, pale, golden blonde hair and
deep blue eyes. Largely designed by Tom Oreb, (and animated by Marc Davis) her
physicality is based off of the delicate features of Audrey Hepburn. It is
stated that Audrey Hepburn's slim, willowy form was perfect for Sleeping
Beauty's main character as it suited the vertical design of film's backgrounds
perfectly. Aurora's sweet, ethereal voice was provided by Mary Costa, who did
both the speaking and singing parts for the princess. Aurora is a gentle, shy
girl of 16 whose beauty is only rivaled by her kind heart. Her gentleness won
her the trust and friendship of the forest animals, who replaced the friends she
would undoubtedly have had her situation been different. She also demonstrates a
certain level of strength when she places her royal duty before her heart's
desire, although she is absolutely heartbroken. She handles the trauma of her
revealed royal birth and her re-introduction to society with grace and dignity.
She is betrothed to Prince Phillip of the neighboring kingdom.
Prince Phillip
Prince Phillip is the only child of King Hubert. He is betrothed to Princess
Aurora and actually meets her for the first time at her christening (he appears
to be about 5 years of age at this time.) He is a very handsome, young man of
about 21 years of age with light sandy hair and soft brown eyes. He is tall and
romantic, just as he appeared in Aurora's "once upon a dream". Animated by Milt
Kahl, Phillip comes across as a very warm, personable gentleman. He demonstrates
a rather good-natured, laid-back attitude especially when confronting his father
with he determination to "marry the girl he loves". He is certainly brave and
steadfast. His talking and singing voice was provided by Bill Shirley who,
interestingly, did the voice-over for the singing parts for Jeremy Brett, Audrey
Hepburn's suitor in "My Fair Lady". His deep love for Aurora is put to the test
when Maleficent conjures up all the powers of evil to try and defeat him. His
battle with the Maleficent-turned-dragon is one of the best scenes in this
movie. And, although he was aided throughout his battle by the three good
fairies, his courage and determination is never questionable. It takes some
gumption to charge a fire-breathing dragon, after all.
Maleficent
Maleficent is the evil sorceress who cursed Aurora. Maleficent has been called
one of the greatest Disney villains of all time and with good reason. She is
certainly the one character that people seem to remember vividly, even after
viewing the film decades before. She was designed and animated by Marc Davis who
was inspired by a female figure found in a medieval Czechoslovakian painting.
Her tall, thin form is cloaked in black and purple robes whose wide sleeves are
dagged in a flame- like fashion. Davis designed her horned headdress and collar
to resemble goats' horns and bat wings, respectively. With her moonlit pallor,
luminous, iris-less eyes, and sharp, angular features, she is frightening to
look upon but oddly beautiful. Maleficent is extremely powerful. One can assume
that the neighboring kingdoms lived in fear of this woman, hoping to avoid her
wrath. It is not surprising then, that King Stefan felt the need to leave her
out of the festivities. Such an evil presence would certainly dampen the mood.
Although his decision to do so cost him and his kingdom years of loss and
sorrow. Maleficent is a wonderful speechmaker. This trait owing to her composed
nature and the wonderful vocal talents of Eleanor Audley, who was hand picked by
Walt Disney to provide her dialogue. Maleficent's powers are pushed to its
ultimate height when she must destroy the one person who can save Aurora. Her
transformation to the fire-breathing dragon is literally awesome in its
execution and design. Ken Anderson must be given credit for the
Maleficent-turned-dragon as this was, as Davis puts it, "his province". Her
defeat at the hands of Phillip drove home the film's underlying message of good
overcoming evil.
Flora - Voiced by Verna FeltonOne of three beneficent fairies (pink
dress). The unofficial leader of the three fairies, Flora and her pleasantly
nattering, tiny-winged colleagues help Phillip defeat Maleficent. They seem
grandmotherly one moment, but when there’s business to take care of, they’ll
whip themselves into tiny balls of light and fiercely uphold the side of
goodness.
Fauna - Voiced by Barbara Jo AllenOne of three beneficent fairies
(green dress). Fauna is the calmest of the three fairies, if only because she
doesn’t argue as much. Overall, Flora and Fauna behave somewhat similarly. They
exist as a pair perhaps to make Merryweather’s stocky intensity more striking.
Disney initially wanted all three fairies to be exactly the same, but his
animators convinced him otherwise. The similarity of Flora and Fauna may
represent a compromise resulting from this argument.
Merryweather - Voiced by Barbara LuddyOne of three beneficent fairies
(blue dress). Merryweather is frumpier and feistier than the other two fairies,
and she has to be held back on occasion from attacking Maleficent. Merryweather
takes action much more often than her two colleagues, and she often speaks
sharply and sarcastically, providing humor and piercing through to the truth of
a given situation.
King Stefan - Voiced by Taylor HolmesPrincess Aurora’s tall, thin
father. A pleasant, nervous man, Stefan is most easily defined in terms of what
he’s not. He’s not a powerful presence either physically or as an authority
figure, and he’s not especially sharp-witted. Instead, he’s an affable, timid
father who reigns peacefully over a kindly, sleepy kingdom.
King Hubert - Voiced by Bill ThompsonPrince Phillip’s short, round
father. A friendly, optimistic, blubbering man, Hubert easily trips over his
words. Hubert reigns over the kingdom next to Stefan’s. A congenial sort, he
looks forward merrily to the celebration. He’s the more boisterous of the two
kings.
Maleficent’s Raven - No voice creditA jet-black harbinger of doom who
serves as Maleficent’s right-hand man. His only role is to perform her bidding,
which he does with terrifying competency. His submissive status to Maleficent is
manifest by her constant reference to him as “my pet.”
Maleficent’s Goons - Voiced by Bill Amsbery, Candy Candido, and Pinto
Colvig A collection of pigs, hawks, alligators, and other beasts. This mindless
pack of helmeted louts scurry around Maleficent’s gloomy castle, guarding her
chambers and doing her bidding. However, with their lack of intelligence,
suggested by the dull brown palette with which they’re painted, they manage to
foul Maleficent’s plans on at least one important occasion.
The Owl - Voiced by Dal McKennonThe only member of Briar Rose’s forest
friends who speaks to her. When Rose complains “Why do they treat me like a
child?” the owl asks, “Who?” When Rose reveals “But I have met someone!” the owl
asks, “Who?” The owl serves the same function as Maleficent’s raven or Phillip’s
horse: to give one of the human characters someone to talk to when he or she is
alone.
Singer - Voiced by Thurl RavenscroftThe drunken guitarist who
entertains Stefan and Hubert as they await Aurora’s return. Every chance the
singer can get, he swipes some of the King’s alcohol, putting it into the bowl
of his instrument.
King Stefan’s Wife - No voice creditAurora’s mother who is never named
and has only two lines. King Stefan’s wife’s role in the film is limited, and
she basically exists to round out the traditional setup of a kingdom. She has a
gentle, caring face and clear concern for the welfare of her child. Aurora’s
embrace of her at the end of the film is a genuinely moving moment.
Samson - No voice creditPrince Phillip’s strong white horse. Samson
doesn’t speak, but he understands Phillip’s words and nods or neighs
approvingly. When tired, he’s easily bribed to continue on by the promise of
food.
Sleeping Beauty General Film Character
At Home with an Imagineer A Profile of Tony Baxter by James Greensberg, The
Disney Magazine, Fall 2004. This article isn't exclusively about Sleeping
Beauty. However, Tony Baxter was greatly influenced by this film which led him
to a successful career at Disney and even inspired him to build an English Tudor
style home filled with Disney memorabilia. Needless to say, I was floored by his
gothic Sleeping Beauty home (check out the Sleeping Beauty bedroom and office!).
And, his career is very interesting as well. What a talented chap!
Interview with Marc Davis Storyboard/The Art of Laughter, Dec/Jan 1991-1992.
This interview focuses on many of the films Marc Davis worked on (including
Sleeping Beauty) and his work with Disneyland.
Analysis of Sleeping Beauty Major Characters: The Good Fairies: Flora,
Fauna, and Merryweather
The three good fairies are completely benign and agreeable, but they don’t
seem nearly powerful enough to stop Maleficent or save the Princess, a fact that
produces much of the movie’s suspense. They worry constantly about the
Princess’s welfare; they bounce pleasantly when they walk; and their tiny wings,
when in motion, resemble little clapping hands. Even in flight, the fairies
perpetually perform gestures of affirmation. These elderly and safe female
characters behave in ways that make them appear vaguely British. For example,
they make a point of having tea, and they insist on politeness. Their quaintness
increases when they swirl themselves into butterfly-size balls of light to avoid
detection. Disney’s animators drew the fairies in such a way as to seem
thoroughly unthreatening. Even tiny Merryweather’s feistiness plays comically,
not seriously, since her impish impulsiveness never actually achieves anything.
Whenever they need to, the other two fairies easily hold her back.
The names and two-toned colored dresses (warm/cool) of the fairies further
suggest the nature of their characters. Flora refers to either the Roman Goddess
of Flowers or any general plant life, and her pink dress may remind us of a
fragrant blooming rose. Fauna, in green, similarly refers to either the Roman
Goddess of Animals or any general animal life. Her color may remind us of the
lush healthy forest, free open spaces, and clear, crisp air. Merryweather’s name
can be broken down into just what it sounds like—good weather, which translates
into positive omens. The happy spells of the fairies always rhyme. Though they
occasionally bicker good-naturedly, they’re selfless when it counts. True
happiness comes to them only if true happiness comes to the princess.
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