The composer has clarified comments reported in the New Yorker where he stated Disney had neutered adult themes in their forthcoming Into the Woods adaptation, and has called the film 'a first-rate movie'

Stephen Sondheim has issued a statement about the forthcoming Disney adaptation of his stage musical Into the Woods, describing the film as "first-rate" and "genuinely collaborative and always productive."

Sondheim was compelled to write the statement following a New Yorker feature last week, which reported him telling a group of drama teachers that Disney had removed some of the racier material in the musical thanks to "puritanical ethics" in American society.

He says he was "misreported", adding that he and writer James Lapine "worked out every change from stage to screen with the producers and with Rob Marshall, the director. Despite what the New Yorker article may convey, the collaboration was genuinely collaborative and always productive. When the conversation with the teachers occurred, I had not yet seen a full rough cut of the movie. Coincidentally, I saw it immediately after leaving the meeting and, having now seen it a couple of times, I can happily report that it is not only a faithful adaptation of the show, it is a first-rate movie."

Into the Woods is a postmodern reimagining of a number of intertwined Grimm fairy tales, including Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and others, all arranged around various Sondheim musical numbers. The film version stars Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick and James Corden, and is set for release on Christmas Day.

Sondheim added that the song Any Moment, which he was reported as saying was nixed from the film, remains in it, as does "the Prince's dalliance" – referring to a sexual encounter between Cinderella's Prince and the character of the Baker's Wife. He didn't clarify other plot details aired in the New Yorker piece, such as whether certain characters that are killed off in the stage version actually survive in the film – as Disney apparently demanded.