The White Snake Enchantress

Annecy Classics: The White Snake Enchantress

  • Original version
  • French subtitles
  1. Overview
  2. Description
  3. Fact Sheet

The very first color feature film produced in Japan… an absolute must!

One film competing this year is the adaptation of a traditional Chinese folktale. What a great opportunity to view another adaptation again more than 60 years after its release date, and the first Japanese animated feature in color.

Adapted from traditional Chinese folktale, The White Snake Enchantress transports us to ancient China with a young boy, Xu-Xian, and his tamed white snake. His parents refuse to let the snake in the house and force him to let it go. The boy and the snake each follow their own separate paths: one becomes a man and the other a princess with incredible powers. What follows is a legendary love story fraught with obstacles and adventure…

A famous work from Toei Animation Studios, The White Snake Enchantress continues to transcend borders and stand the test of time to maintain its rightful place in the history of Japanese animation. This classic is a must!

With Annecy Classics, the Festival pays tribute to timeless shorts and features to remind us of the great moments in the history of animation. It highlights avant-garde techniques, the journey of brilliant directors, and celebrates key events. Take a break and rediscover the great animated classics!

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The film

  • Film identity

    Original title: The White Snake Enchantress

    Directed by: Taiji YABUSHITA

    Country: Japan

    Year of production: 1958

    Running time: 01 h 19 min

  • Technique

    Category: Feature film

    Techniques used: drawing on cels

    Version: Version originale japonaise sous-titrée anglais

    Process: Colour

    Target public: All audiences

  • Credits

    Directed by: Taiji YABUSHITA

    Production: TOEI ANIMATION CO., LTD.

    Script: Shin Uehara, Taiji Yabushita, Seiichi Yashiro

    Graphics: Kiyoshi Hashimoto, Kazuhiko Okabe

    Sets: Kasuo Kusano

    Animation: Yasuo Otsuka, Yusaku Sakamoto,

    Camera: Kokichi Tsukahara

    Music: Chuji Kinoshita

    Editing: Shintaro Miyamoto