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The Little Mermaid (1989 film)

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The Little Mermaid (1989 film)
The Little Mermaid (1989 film)
source
NameThe Little Mermaid
CaptionTheatrical release poster
DirectorRon Clements, John Musker
ProducerHoward Ashman, John Musker
WriterRon Clements, John Musker
StarringJodi Benson, Pat Carroll, Samuel E. Wright, Kenneth Mars, Buddy Hackett
MusicAlan Menken (score), Howard Ashman (lyrics)
CinematographyMark A. Hester
EditingJohn Carnochan
StudioWalt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV
DistributorBuena Vista Pictures Distribution
Runtime83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Little Mermaid (1989 film) is an American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed and written by Ron Clements and John Musker, the film is loosely based on the 1837 Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Featuring the voices of Jodi Benson and Pat Carroll, the film tells the story of a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human.

Plot

Ariel, a young mermaid princess and daughter of King Triton, is fascinated with the human world, often collecting artifacts with her friend Flounder. Against her father's wishes, she visits the surface and saves Prince Eric from a shipwreck, falling in love with him. Desperate to be human, Ariel makes a bargain with the sea witch Ursula, trading her voice for legs, with the condition that she must receive a kiss of true love from Prince Eric within three days. With help from her friends Sebastian and Scuttle, Ariel navigates the human world, but Ursula schemes to sabotage the agreement and seize power over the ocean.

Production

The project began development in the mid-1980s, with Ron Clements pitching the idea to Disney CEO Michael Eisner and studio chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg. The film marked a return to the musical fairy tale format for Walt Disney Feature Animation, which had not seen a major success since the 1950s. Key animators included Glen Keane, who supervised Ariel's character animation, and Mark Henn. The production utilized both traditional hand-drawn animation and early Computer Animation Production System technology for complex sequences like the underwater scenes. The film's story underwent significant revisions, with lyricist Howard Ashman playing a crucial role in shaping its Broadway-style structure.

Music

The film's score was composed by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Howard Ashman. The songs, including "Part of Your World", "Under the Sea", and "Kiss the Girl", were integral to the narrative and helped revive the Disney musical tradition. "Under the Sea" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and Menken won the Academy Award for Best Original Score. The soundtrack album was a commercial success, charting on the Billboard 200 and contributing to the film's popularity. Vocal performances were provided by Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, and others.

Release and reception

The film premiered at the El Capitan Theatre and was released nationwide on November 17, 1989. It was a major critical and commercial success, grossing over $211 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. Critics praised the animation, characters, and music, with particular acclaim for the villain Ursula. The film won two Academy Awards and several Golden Globe Awards. Its success is widely credited with revitalizing Walt Disney Feature Animation and initiating the period known as the Disney Renaissance, leading to subsequent hits like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King.

Legacy

The film's success cemented the creative partnership of Ron Clements and John Musker, who went on to direct Aladdin and Hercules. It spawned a direct-to-video sequel, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, a prequel, and a Broadway musical adaptation. The film is preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Its influence is seen in subsequent Disney films and its role in reviving the animated musical genre. The characters, especially Ariel, remain iconic figures in The Walt Disney Company's portfolio, featuring prominently in Disney theme parks and merchandise.

Category:1989 animated films Category:American animated films Category:Walt Disney Pictures films