THE LITTLE MERMAID, Disneys 28th animated masterwork from 1989, is back on DVD Oct. 3, 2006, in a restored two-disc special edition (Disney DVD, $29.99) with greatly improved image and sound.
Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, featuring the invaluable musical talents of the late, great Howard Ashman and collaborator Alan Menken, the two-time Oscar winner helped usher in Disneys second animation Renaissance. The memorable voice cast includes Jodi Benson (Ariel), Samuel E. Wright (Sebastian), Pat Carrol (Ursula) and the late, beloved Buddy Hackett (Scuttle).
At a recent presentation/screening of THE LITTLE MERMAID at the El Capitan Theater, Musker, Clements and supervising animator Glen Keane (who worked on Ariel after first being offered Ursula), reminisced about the making of the movie. It began in 1985, at the start of the Michael Eisner/Jeffrey Katzenberg era, with the animators getting kicked off the lot and setting up shop in a warehouse on Flower Street in Glendale.
We were the younger generation chomping at the bit [to get our chance], Clements said. We thought that THE BLACK CAULDRON was supposed to be the next SNOW WHITE but it didnt turn out that way. But we sensed that this had great potential. This was the first fairy tale since SLEEPING BEAUTY. These were realistic human characters, and there were effects and moving hair. It was intimidating and scary. Katzenberg was very demanding and there were budget constraints. Fortunately, AMERICAN TALE had good production values and that helped, and ROGER RABBIT helped take some of the curse off there was that perception that animation was for kids. Howard had a fresh sensibility and understood musical theater.
Musker added that LITTLE MERMAID contained a strong story crew, including the likes of Brenda Chapman, Joe Ranft and Roger Allers, among many others. Jeffrey liked the script, which was a bonus. This was the only one [out of the big four that also included BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING] that didnt explode.
Its interesting how Renaissances [in animation] start with fairy tales, Keane suggested Theres a lot of drawing in the movie: its organic. Its that sincerity and appeal [thats the driving force], which goes back to the Nine Old Men. It was the sincerity and appeal of Ariel that inspired me to want to draw her in LITTLE MERMAID.
Bonus features include:
* Commentary by co-writers/directors John Musker and Ron Clements and composer Alan Menken* Deleted scenes and alternate ending with filmmaker introduction* New "Kiss The Girl" music video performed by Ashley Tisdale* Treasures Untold: The Making of THE LITTLE MERMAID* Storm Warning: THE LITTLE MERMAID Special Effects Unit* The Story Behind the Story: featurette on author Hans Christian Andersen* Exclusive short: THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL (directed by Roger Allers and produced by Don Hahn and Baker Bloodworth)* Art galleries* Early presentation reel* "Silent is Golden" song demo* UNDER THE SEA ADVENTURE: A Virtual Ride (based on an actual Disney Imagineering concept)* Ride With Disney Imagineers* Behind the Ride that Almost Was* DisneyPedia: Life Under the Sea* LITTLE MERMAID III musical sneak peek
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
