Widowed and left for dead, John (Tom Irwin) is tricked by an nasty genie into marrying again, but then his wife becomes the evil Queen Elspeth (Miranda Richardson), jealous of his daughter, Snow White (Kristin Kreuk) - who's growing lovelier every day. A version of the Grimm Brothers fairy tale from Edward Scissorhands writer Caroline Thompson, this TV movie is certainly bleaker than the well-loved Disney cartoon, but doesn't rise to the great Gothic atmosphere of the 1996 adaptation with Sigourney Weaver and Monica Keena. There are original touches (the dwarves are not all tiny and are named after days of the week), but the actors struggle with the script and the direction allows some wayward acting. With good effects overall, though, it's still worthwhile viewing for families with youngsters.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes