'Snow White and the Huntsman' exemplifies obligatory intertextuality by requiring viewers to have an understanding of the original Snow White fairy tale to fully appreciate its deviations and new narrative directions. The film intentionally references key elements of the original, such as the castle and forest settings, while making deliberate changes like emphasizing the role of the Huntsman and altering Snow White’s character arc with combat skills. Thus, it engages viewers' pre-existing knowledge of Snow White to create a reimagined but cogent storyline .

Intertextuality in 'Snow White and the Huntsman' establishes a connection to audiences' prior experiences with fairy tales by incorporating essential elements and recognizable motifs from the original Snow White story, such as the forest setting and character archetypes. However, it also defies these familiar themes by introducing new plotlines and character roles, encouraging audiences to reinterpret the narrative based on their knowledge and expectations. This dual approach respects the traditional allure of fairy tales while challenging viewers to engage with more contemporary values and complexities .

The director of 'Snow White and the Huntsman' employs a combination of maintaining familiar settings and characters from the original Snow White tale while introducing new narrative elements, such as Snow White's combat training and the Huntsman's expanded role. By doing so, the director preserves the audience's sense of familiarity but also integrates themes of empowerment and action. The narrative arc includes significant deviations like the meeting with eight dwarves and a non-traditional resolution, where the Huntsman's healing kiss sets the stage for further developments rather than concluding the story .

In 'Snow White and the Huntsman', Snow White's character development includes her training and learning the art of combat, which differs from the original tale where she is primarily portrayed as a passive character. This adaptation positions her as more of an active participant in her story, cultivating bravery and fortitude, often influenced by the Huntsman's role, which shifts the narrative from a traditional damsel-in-distress to a more empowered heroine .

In 'Snow White and the Huntsman', the wicked stepmother remains a central figure of malevolence, similar to traditional depictions, maintaining her role as the antagonist. However, the film amplifies her menace by associating her evil with themes of magic and ambition, enhancing the dramatic tension. This depiction aligns with the story's darker, more complex tone, contrasting the more simplistic evil seen in some earlier, more child-friendly renditions .

The role of the Huntsman in 'Snow White and the Huntsman' supports Snow White's journey by providing both physical assistance and emotional encouragement, which challenges traditional gender roles. Traditionally, the Huntsman would be an ancillary character, but in this film, he becomes integral to the plot by taking over the prince charming role and performing a healing kiss. Additionally, his influence empowers Snow White to assume a more active role in combat, thus reshaping the narrative to include gender role reassignments where both male and female protagonists share equal footing in driving the story forward .

Changing the traditional role of prince charming to the Huntsman in 'Snow White and the Huntsman' alters the fundamental dynamics of the fairy tale by placing emphasis on unexpected heroism and expanding character depth. The Huntsman’s transformation into a central figure who performs the healing kiss typically reserved for prince charming signifies a shift towards more egalitarian narrative roles and enhances the complexity of relationships within the story. This change subverts expectations and empowers Snow White and the Huntsman as partners in both conflicts and resolutions, fostering a modernized portrayal of heroism .

Accidental intertextuality in adaptations like 'Snow White and the Huntsman' serves the literary purpose of enriching the narrative through unintended connections perceived by well-read audiences. This type of intertextuality arises when audiences, through their extensive knowledge of literature, draw parallels between otherwise unrelated texts and the current adaptation. In 'Snow White and the Huntsman', accidental intertextuality could be identified in viewers recognizing elements reminiscent of other fairy tales within its darker and more intricate storyline, which might not have been deliberately placed by the filmmakers .

The addition of an eighth dwarf in 'Snow White and the Huntsman' adds a layer of narrative complexity and shifts the dynamic traditionally seen among the dwarves. By not adhering to the expected number of seven dwarfs, the film signals its deviation from the standard fairy tale motif, suggesting an intention to create a new storytelling element. This alteration underscores the focus on Snow White’s main interactions with the Huntsman and herself, rather than emphasizing the dwarves’ traditional roles as primary companions .

The film 'Snow White and the Huntsman' uses intertextuality by maintaining the core locations and characters of the original Snow White tale, such as the castle and forest settings and the presence of Snow White, the Huntsman, and the wicked stepmother. However, it diverges by distancing focus from the seven dwarfs and making the Huntsman a significant character, thereby reshaping the narrative structure and character dynamics. Moreover, it modifies the plot by incorporating new elements, such as Snow White's training in combat and the Huntsman's kiss as a pivotal moment, suggesting a departure from the fairy tale's traditional resolution .