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Sleeping Beauty Character
Sleeping Beauty Character
Betrothed at birth to Prince Phillip (the son of a neighboring king), the infant Aurora is blessed with the gifts of beauty and song by the good fairies of the kingdom. However, fate's icy hand brings an uninvited guest to the christening and the evil fairy Maleficent curses the child to die by the prick of a spinning wheel's spindle before her 16th birthday. Struggling to prevent this catastrophe, the good fairies hide the princess in a secluded cottage in the glen. The years pass and Aurora blossoms into a lovely but lonely young woman unaware of her real name and birthright. Playacting with the forest animals at what it might be like to meet a prince, Princess Aurora, now called "Briar Rose," meets a very real "peasant boy." Although neither of them knows who the other is, the couple falls in love at first sight. When the good fairies reveal Princess Aurora's birthright to her, instead of joy, an awful sadness comes over her. For she believes she must sacrifice her true love to the "right and royal duty" of marrying Prince Phillip, a stranger. Just as she's about to discover that the two are one and the same, she's stricken by Maleficent's terrible curse. All seems lost but for one glimmer of hope ... only true love's kiss can wake this sleeping beauty from an eternal slumber.
Aurora's original character design by Tom Oreb was modeled after the thin, elegant features of actress Audrey Hepburn. Working with Mr. Oreb, Aurora's lead animator, Marc Davis, slightly sharpened her features and clothes to blend with the backgrounds' angular shapes, arriving at the Aurora we see onscreen.
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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