Details
Movie Description
Mermaids are supposed to stay under the sea, but Ariel, a headstrong teenager, longs to be part of the magical world on land. When she falls in love with a human prince, Ariel strikes a bargain with the diabolical Sea Witch to win the prince's love. THE LITTLE MERMAID is a beautiful splash of art and music that revived the classic Disney tradition.
Synopsis
THE LITTLE MERMAID is Disney's animated version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a mermaid who falls in love with a handsome prince whom she rescues from drowning. Disobeying her father, lord of a great sea kingdom, the mermaid makes a deal with an evil enchantress. In exchange for a pair of legs, the mermaid must sacrifice her exquisite voice to the witch, who, unbeknownst to the mermaid, uses it to beguile the prince into marrying her.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: November 17, 1989.
Rereleased November 14, 1997.
THE LITTLE MERMAID is the 28th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.
Alyssa Milano confirmed to Premiere magazine that her body was used as the inspiration for Ariel.
Shot in 70mm; color by Technicolor.
THE LITTLE MERMAID is the 28th animated feature to carry the Disney name and was originally released in theaters November 17, 1989.
David Dunnet was the layout supervisor and Donald Towns was the backgrounds superior.
Budget estimate $20 million.
Rated BBFC by the British Board of film censors.
The original Hans Christian Anderson story, "Little Mermaid," was published in 1836.
25 special effects artists and animators were used to create the special water effects of the film. Over 400 artists and technicians were used to make the film, overall.
The making of the film produced nearly 150,000 painted cells, 1,100 backgrounds, 1 million drawings (including sketches, pencil animations, and layouts) and 7,000 feet of hand-drawn film, and utilized more than 1,000 different colors.
The two-and-a-half-minute storm scene in which the prince's ship runs aground took eight weeks to choreograph.
Two-thirds of the film is set underwater.
***Returned from moratorium status as of 3/31/98.***
Industry Reviews
Included in the New York Times "10 Best Films of 1989" List
New York Times - p.II, 22 - Vincent Canby (12/24/1989)
"...The animators fill the water with shimmers and sparkles, wraiths of weed and shiny crops of coral, and they create amazing illusions of underwater movement..."
Los Angeles Times - Michael Wilmington (11/15/1989)
"...The songs are fresh, the script is tight..."
Total Film - Simon Brew (07/01/2000)
"...Glorious....THE LITTLE MERMAID is a marvel of skillful animation, witty songwriting and smart planning. It is designed to delight filmgoers of every stripe..."
New York Times - Janet Maslin (11/05/1989)
3 stars out of 4 -- "The 1989 film that ignited the second golden age of Disney animation..."
Premiere - Premiere Staff (10/01/2006)
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