10 Brothers Grimm Tales Which Disney Should Adapt
7. The Poor Miller's Boy And The Cat
Plot: A put-upon miller’s boy meets a talking cat and is given the job of working as her servant for seven years.
Like Snow White and Rose Red, this tale provides an unusual take on the Beauty and the Beast formula. The protagonist, who has the classic fairy tale name of Hans (A name which should probably be changed for Frozen-related reasons) is a young miller’s apprentice mistreated by his coworkers, but after proving his worth to the mysterious tortoiseshell cat, he gains a wonderful reward. This disadvantaged protagonist is appealing, but the highlight of this tale is the enchanted cat and her castle, which is also inhabited by talking felines. Fans of The Aristocats will certainly enjoy this story.
The Poor Miller's Boy and the Cat contains plenty of interesting elements that could work in an animated film. The female may need to be liberated from a magical curse, but she is the one with the position of power. The seven years Hans spends with her could easily be developed, to show how his relationship with the enchanted cat changes over time. The biggest issue facing The Poor Miller's Boy and the Cat is the fact that the story may end up being too similar to Beauty and the Beast - one of Disney’s finest movies. However, the story has plenty of unique features and emphasising these could allow Disney to deliver familiar messages in a whole new way.