Fairy tales have changed all throughout history. The ones we know today, aren't the same variant that was told a hundred years ago. At what point should we "freeze" them? Is the version we know now the ultimate one, that every generation after us should hear? Or should it adapt over time and each generation get their own variation?
I'm not saying movies or books should be altered. They are some persons' works. But I feel this happens with all kinds of "traditional" things now. There is this debate where I live now about someone altering their folk costume (different colored shirts and stuff). And this gets people up in arms, that it "should remain traditional". But during history it has changed all the time, hence why we have so many beautiful variants. But at some point someone has decided that they should remain as they are, and no new changes should happen.
Your fight here isn't with the producers of specific works, it's with copyright. Due to the copyright periods being heat death of the universe plus 70 years, we do not get reinterpretations of modern works. The fairy tales you were talking about had so much diversity in versions was because anyone could make their own. I remember growing up we had these tales about Akbar and Birbal, they were like an interaction between a king and the court minister/jester. I must have read at least 7-8 versions of some stories in different magazines. I don't think that can happen with today's media as everyone is so protective of their IP
> Is the version we know now the ultimate one, that every generation after us should hear?
I would love a comparative literature review of old-school Cinderella where the stepsisters get their toes chopped off and eyes picked out vs the Disney one with the cute animals and pumpkins.
What we teach children, should reflect the current "best" values (Very subjective in some areas ...) and at some age critical thinking and ability to question values. For that the books, movies, ... we grew up with probably aren't always the best.
When being old enough to put in context there are way less problems with older things, as one understands how some views on things changed and one can question old role models as well as the change.
I'm not saying movies or books should be altered. They are some persons' works. But I feel this happens with all kinds of "traditional" things now. There is this debate where I live now about someone altering their folk costume (different colored shirts and stuff). And this gets people up in arms, that it "should remain traditional". But during history it has changed all the time, hence why we have so many beautiful variants. But at some point someone has decided that they should remain as they are, and no new changes should happen.