Ella's Blog

The Brothers Grimm 2005 fantasy movie is an interesting one to watch. It contains little fact as to what the real Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s lives were like and many inaccuracies. This however comes as no surprise as the film is fantasy. The film depicts the brothers as con-men who kill the supernatural/magic and record their travels. When caught by the French the brothers are forced to help save a village that’s children are missing. Jacob is played by Heath Ledger and is portrayed as meek, mild and a bookworm. Wilhelm is played by Matt Damon and is portrayed as in charge, charismatic and confident. There ends up being an evil witch taking the children and using them to bring her youth back. There is a love interest for both brothers in the form of Angelika a villager who helps them navigate the enchanted forest. The brothers overcome many obstacles but are able to save each other, Angelika, the village and the children. The film ends with the brothers reconsidering thei...

My reason why:   I chose From Grimm to Disney as my FYS because the tales told by the Grimm's filled me with wonder when I was little. They remind everyone of a time when they believed those magic filled stories were real. We didn't question whether talking animals or objects, giants, ogres or fairies were real. I am also very interested in fantasy and enjoy reading and analysing the meaning behind stories. I spent my childhood reading as much as possible, however since High School I have struggled to fit reading into my everyday life. Another reason I chose this FYS was because about a week before the topics of the First Year Seminars were announced I had bought a copy of the Grimm's Fairy Tales. I thought it was a bit too much of a coincidence that it was also the subject of a class that I could take.  What I hope to accomplish: In this class I hope to deepen my understanding of who Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were, what went on in their lives and how they col...