From Fairytale to Film: The Little Mermaid
video description
Date: 2023-11-21
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 30
Colleen
I know that Dawn Bluth made his version of Thumbelina but sometimes I wish Disney would do their own version of the story from hands Christian Andersen let's just say she would be the tiniest Disney princess in the color of tulip orange won't that be cool and she would have chocolate brown hair and it's tied on the top of her head as a beautiful ponytail and she would be voiced by Janice Kawaye who did the voice of Jenny the teenage robot and according to this version thumbelina lives in an old time of Japan where there is a widow woman and her son but she wanted a daughter too and her son is tired of being an only child and has no friends thumbelina on the other hand she had parents was somehow perished and she had to find a new home when she ended up in the tulip and that's when an old woman found her and decided to give her to the woman and her son for her to have a daughter and her son to be a big brother and in this version thumbelina would be called Lina because that's what her parents named her and ever since she was adopted and she realized that she is no bigger than her new mother's thumb she changed her name into Thumbelina so she had a new home and a new name and what's her new family she could never be alone again and her older brother would be called Chiro and you know the rest of the story of Thumbelina when a toad was about to take her and then later on it was a beautiful and then she ended up in the home of the field mouse and then there was a mole but in this version the swallow who met Thumbelina was really a girl swallow named Kika who is one of the friends of the fairy Prince and he was called Haru I like to Don Bluth version of Thumbelina but sometimes I wish Disney would make a new update for the story just like they did with the little mermaid and the Snow Queen even the steadfast tin soldier thought sometimes I wish they can make a new version for The tinderbox that is also from Hans Christian Andersen if only it were possible though but the truth is I don't like it when Disney was raising so much money on something like whatever is changing! But I believe that money isn't everything shouldn't you? Because if you really want so much money you really shouldn't be power-hungry! That is the last thing I really want to be! I may like green for nature but money green is just not my thing! Scrooge McDuck he has a thing for money but there's some things you just cannot keep forever and if I were that rich I should probably buy some gifts for some friends that I wanted to meet one day or go on a vacation resort with my family and some friends! But if I ever work for Disney I should probably hire somebody to do a remake for Disney fairies perhaps and on that note I think I might change the personality of the characters like Silvermist instead of being a ditz she should be more like a wise guru water fairy who meditates and senses Auras and sometimes have visions while she was meditating and in the cartoon of Tinkerbell it would be a new fairy friend called Luna the moon fairy and she would wear the color indigo! And sometimes I wish I can make a brand new series of the Aristocats it's one of my favorite Disney movies and I wish I could make a series about Marie and her two brothers Toulouse and Berlioz and they're old friends and new friends! I would give anything to make better changes but I don't care much about money I just want to make everybody happy and to be honest with each other trust each other and do things that are right for each other! And I hope you will too if you ever had a friend who really need something very important right? So be honest no matter what!
reply
I know that Dawn Bluth made his version of Thumbelina but sometimes I wish Disney would do their own version of the story from hands Christian Andersen let's just say she would be the tiniest Disney princess in the color of tulip orange won't that be cool and she would have chocolate brown hair and it's tied on the top of her head as a beautiful ponytail and she would be voiced by Janice Kawaye who did the voice of Jenny the teenage robot and according to this version thumbelina lives in an old time of Japan where there is a widow woman and her son but she wanted a daughter too and her son is tired of being an only child and has no friends thumbelina on the other hand she had parents was somehow perished and she had to find a new home when she ended up in the tulip and that's when an old woman found her and decided to give her to the woman and her son for her to have a daughter and her son to be a big brother and in this version thumbelina would be called Lina because that's what her parents named her and ever since she was adopted and she realized that she is no bigger than her new mother's thumb she changed her name into Thumbelina so she had a new home and a new name and what's her new family she could never be alone again and her older brother would be called Chiro and you know the rest of the story of Thumbelina when a toad was about to take her and then later on it was a beautiful and then she ended up in the home of the field mouse and then there was a mole but in this version the swallow who met Thumbelina was really a girl swallow named Kika who is one of the friends of the fairy Prince and he was called Haru I like to Don Bluth version of Thumbelina but sometimes I wish Disney would make a new update for the story just like they did with the little mermaid and the Snow Queen even the steadfast tin soldier thought sometimes I wish they can make a new version for The tinderbox that is also from Hans Christian Andersen if only it were possible though but the truth is I don't like it when Disney was raising so much money on something like whatever is changing! But I believe that money isn't everything shouldn't you? Because if you really want so much money you really shouldn't be power-hungry! That is the last thing I really want to be! I may like green for nature but money green is just not my thing! Scrooge McDuck he has a thing for money but there's some things you just cannot keep forever and if I were that rich I should probably buy some gifts for some friends that I wanted to meet one day or go on a vacation resort with my family and some friends! But if I ever work for Disney I should probably hire somebody to do a remake for Disney fairies perhaps and on that note I think I might change the personality of the characters like Silvermist instead of being a ditz she should be more like a wise guru water fairy who meditates and senses Auras and sometimes have visions while she was meditating and in the cartoon of Tinkerbell it would be a new fairy friend called Luna the moon fairy and she would wear the color indigo! And sometimes I wish I can make a brand new series of the Aristocats it's one of my favorite Disney movies and I wish I could make a series about Marie and her two brothers Toulouse and Berlioz and they're old friends and new friends! I would give anything to make better changes but I don't care much about money I just want to make everybody happy and to be honest with each other trust each other and do things that are right for each other! And I hope you will too if you ever had a friend who really need something very important right? So be honest no matter what!
reply
Felicity
the changes from Andersen to Disney are also motivated through other cultural references.
Ariel is name of an air spirit and angel (meaning lioness, referencing to the ending of the original Andersen's tale.
In Dvorak's opera Rusalka, which is inspired by The Little Mermaid, the foreign princess is also the villian, only seducing the prince. Probably later inspiration for Vanessa, though, it's actually an amazing idea to expand the idea why the sea witch would want Ariel's voice ---probably not only to keep it to listening to it herself.
The Disney version has inspired many different animated movies and illustrated stories to include a happy ending, even if the names are not used. Sometimes we can also see the red hair or a pink dress (; I truly think that the Disney version has changed the Little Mermaid forever. The versions before were very tragic, but later movie adaptions tried to include a happier ending. In one version, the mermaid is allowed to stay human as reward for not killing the prince, in another she marries an air spirit. In another illustrated book adaption, the mermaid lives happily ever after underwater with her prince. Its not only Disney vs Andersen. There are so many lovely versions between. that is why, I don't understand people freaking out with the remake. The Mermaid doesn't have a name in the original tale. I think Ariel is just the right name for her (;
reply
the changes from Andersen to Disney are also motivated through other cultural references.
Ariel is name of an air spirit and angel (meaning lioness, referencing to the ending of the original Andersen's tale.
In Dvorak's opera Rusalka, which is inspired by The Little Mermaid, the foreign princess is also the villian, only seducing the prince. Probably later inspiration for Vanessa, though, it's actually an amazing idea to expand the idea why the sea witch would want Ariel's voice ---probably not only to keep it to listening to it herself.
The Disney version has inspired many different animated movies and illustrated stories to include a happy ending, even if the names are not used. Sometimes we can also see the red hair or a pink dress (; I truly think that the Disney version has changed the Little Mermaid forever. The versions before were very tragic, but later movie adaptions tried to include a happier ending. In one version, the mermaid is allowed to stay human as reward for not killing the prince, in another she marries an air spirit. In another illustrated book adaption, the mermaid lives happily ever after underwater with her prince. Its not only Disney vs Andersen. There are so many lovely versions between. that is why, I don't understand people freaking out with the remake. The Mermaid doesn't have a name in the original tale. I think Ariel is just the right name for her (;
reply
David
I've seen The Little Mermaid multiple times, and while I still say that it's among the best Disney films not only of the famous Renaissance period (you could say that it's not bad for a first film in a famous era in Disney films; it was the first Disney Renaissance film, in the Disney Animated Canon, anyway. Who would consider Who Framed Roger Rabbit as the first Disney Renaissance film, or a just as big contender) but it's also one of those Disney Animated Canon films that I would consider the most fun, along with Aladdin, The Emperor's New Groove, and Mary Poppins. The 1989 film's musical style pretty much gives it the fun aspect that makes it stand out among the other Disney Renaissance (or Disney in General) films. Not that most of the other films don't stand out from one another, but The Little Mermaid also has the distinction of putting Disney back to its glory days, saving Disney from the doldrums that began with Walt's 1966 death, spiraled into the box-office failure that was The Black Cauldron in 1985, and picked up by John Musker and Ron Clements, who kept Disney's animation studio open by working on The Great Mouse Detective in the following year, then they set to work on, and released this treasure of the Disney Animated Canon three years later. And, as Michael Palin once said, there was much rejoicing.
reply
I've seen The Little Mermaid multiple times, and while I still say that it's among the best Disney films not only of the famous Renaissance period (you could say that it's not bad for a first film in a famous era in Disney films; it was the first Disney Renaissance film, in the Disney Animated Canon, anyway. Who would consider Who Framed Roger Rabbit as the first Disney Renaissance film, or a just as big contender) but it's also one of those Disney Animated Canon films that I would consider the most fun, along with Aladdin, The Emperor's New Groove, and Mary Poppins. The 1989 film's musical style pretty much gives it the fun aspect that makes it stand out among the other Disney Renaissance (or Disney in General) films. Not that most of the other films don't stand out from one another, but The Little Mermaid also has the distinction of putting Disney back to its glory days, saving Disney from the doldrums that began with Walt's 1966 death, spiraled into the box-office failure that was The Black Cauldron in 1985, and picked up by John Musker and Ron Clements, who kept Disney's animation studio open by working on The Great Mouse Detective in the following year, then they set to work on, and released this treasure of the Disney Animated Canon three years later. And, as Michael Palin once said, there was much rejoicing.
reply
Jonny
I personally find the original fairy tale to be more interesting than the Disney film because of the tragic and emotional direction. But, the Disney film is still great. Like the original fairy tale, it's still a love story with high stakes and the obsticals the Little Mermaid had to go through still make the story interesting.
However, the characters in the Disney version are more memorble; Ariel is a lovable and adorable heroine who's far from your typical damsel in distress (outwitting shark, killing Ursula's eels in the climax, saving Prince Eric 2 times (from drowning and from Ursula, Ursula is a loud, dynamic, and hammy villain you love to hate, Flounder is cute and loyal to Ariel and their friendship couldn't be anymore adorable and charming (something that makes you want to say, I wish I can be friends with Ariel, Sabastain is quotable (humorous) and paranoid about humans but grows fondly with Ariel and her dreams of being on land, King Triton is a father figure that parents can relate to, and while Prince Eric is your typical goody two shoes prince, at least he's a likable goody two shoes.
reply
I personally find the original fairy tale to be more interesting than the Disney film because of the tragic and emotional direction. But, the Disney film is still great. Like the original fairy tale, it's still a love story with high stakes and the obsticals the Little Mermaid had to go through still make the story interesting.
However, the characters in the Disney version are more memorble; Ariel is a lovable and adorable heroine who's far from your typical damsel in distress (outwitting shark, killing Ursula's eels in the climax, saving Prince Eric 2 times (from drowning and from Ursula, Ursula is a loud, dynamic, and hammy villain you love to hate, Flounder is cute and loyal to Ariel and their friendship couldn't be anymore adorable and charming (something that makes you want to say, I wish I can be friends with Ariel, Sabastain is quotable (humorous) and paranoid about humans but grows fondly with Ariel and her dreams of being on land, King Triton is a father figure that parents can relate to, and while Prince Eric is your typical goody two shoes prince, at least he's a likable goody two shoes.
reply
Shaina
I love The Little Mermaid and I have an Sparkling Ariel doll where her dress is glittery but her shoes won't stay on. I love how she wants to have all the things humans have like legs for walking on land. I love her friends, Flounder, Scuttle and Sebastian. They're all so cute and funny. I loved rewinding my VHS and watching it over and over as a little girl in 90's/2000's. I had a Little Mermaid coloring activity book, handheld game, clothes and a pen. Now, all I have is my movie and Princess doll. I would love to see the new The Little Mermaid movie. I watched The Little Mermaid 2 in 2000 at a friend's house and Ariel's Beginning a few months ago. Both of those are really good. I was sad when Queen Athena was killed by boaters.
reply
I love The Little Mermaid and I have an Sparkling Ariel doll where her dress is glittery but her shoes won't stay on. I love how she wants to have all the things humans have like legs for walking on land. I love her friends, Flounder, Scuttle and Sebastian. They're all so cute and funny. I loved rewinding my VHS and watching it over and over as a little girl in 90's/2000's. I had a Little Mermaid coloring activity book, handheld game, clothes and a pen. Now, all I have is my movie and Princess doll. I would love to see the new The Little Mermaid movie. I watched The Little Mermaid 2 in 2000 at a friend's house and Ariel's Beginning a few months ago. Both of those are really good. I was sad when Queen Athena was killed by boaters.
reply
Aidan
FUN FACT: Queen Margarethe the second of Denmark invited the cast and crew of The Little Mermaid to her palace to show a private screening of the movie. As the queen and her court watched the film, Ron and John were worried that the queen would not like it since they changed Hans Christian Andersons story. However, much to their relief, the queen loved it, and she told them Hans never knew how to end his stories anyway. Hail to the queen, baby! Hail to the queen!
reply
FUN FACT: Queen Margarethe the second of Denmark invited the cast and crew of The Little Mermaid to her palace to show a private screening of the movie. As the queen and her court watched the film, Ron and John were worried that the queen would not like it since they changed Hans Christian Andersons story. However, much to their relief, the queen loved it, and she told them Hans never knew how to end his stories anyway. Hail to the queen, baby! Hail to the queen!
reply
Maytal
I wldve been interested if Walt did make a 1940 take on the tragic little mermaid with a fantasia style. It wld be a movie that wld make you cry but a movie with a good cry isn't a bad thing.
But with the music similar to fantasia while aslo making an Anderson tale wld be interesting and beautiful to see.
But I'm glad the outcome of the little mermaid is since it aslo has a nice and interesting take on the tale.
reply
I wldve been interested if Walt did make a 1940 take on the tragic little mermaid with a fantasia style. It wld be a movie that wld make you cry but a movie with a good cry isn't a bad thing.
But with the music similar to fantasia while aslo making an Anderson tale wld be interesting and beautiful to see.
But I'm glad the outcome of the little mermaid is since it aslo has a nice and interesting take on the tale.
reply
Andrea
What a great video essay! Ever since I was a little girl, I related to Ariel so much. I guess I could say that I was a different learner than like most folks. Though there were some tears shed or faced hardships at times, I can gladly write that I would not have any other way of trying to achieve my dreams (and continue to do so. Thank you for sharing light on these two adaptations! Keep it up!
reply
What a great video essay! Ever since I was a little girl, I related to Ariel so much. I guess I could say that I was a different learner than like most folks. Though there were some tears shed or faced hardships at times, I can gladly write that I would not have any other way of trying to achieve my dreams (and continue to do so. Thank you for sharing light on these two adaptations! Keep it up!
reply
Lisa
The actual story of The Little Mermaid is far from perfect as the real origins of The Little Mermaid the Mermaid dies, the prince is already bestowed to another woman and marries her instead of the mermaid leaving the mermaid to kill the prince, but she decided not to kill him and throws herself off the boat after the prince and his now princess were married and she turns to sea foam.
reply
The actual story of The Little Mermaid is far from perfect as the real origins of The Little Mermaid the Mermaid dies, the prince is already bestowed to another woman and marries her instead of the mermaid leaving the mermaid to kill the prince, but she decided not to kill him and throws herself off the boat after the prince and his now princess were married and she turns to sea foam.
reply
Charlotte's
Yeh but little mermaid shouldn't have been black
Disney is racist
They should cast white Moana or if they do Tina a white person
Yeh it's okay change white characters black but not any other race would flip and go mad
White people are being bullied and white washed by Disney
Disney is a racist against white people
reply
Yeh but little mermaid shouldn't have been black
Disney is racist
They should cast white Moana or if they do Tina a white person
Yeh it's okay change white characters black but not any other race would flip and go mad
White people are being bullied and white washed by Disney
Disney is a racist against white people
reply
BG
In my opinion, the animated movie was a great adaptation of the original story, that was more tragic. It made many improviments: Ariel's dream of exploring the human world; adding excelent suporting characters: her friends Flounder, Sebastian and Scuttle; and the villain Ursula of course
reply
In my opinion, the animated movie was a great adaptation of the original story, that was more tragic. It made many improviments: Ariel's dream of exploring the human world; adding excelent suporting characters: her friends Flounder, Sebastian and Scuttle; and the villain Ursula of course
reply
Jack
Disney missed a good opportunity to make the Little Mermaid remake have more connections with the original forgotten story they were too scared to tell with their animated movie.
Instead of just rushing with the CGI and focusing way more on being diverse
reply
Disney missed a good opportunity to make the Little Mermaid remake have more connections with the original forgotten story they were too scared to tell with their animated movie.
Instead of just rushing with the CGI and focusing way more on being diverse
reply
Charlie
The different ending is because each story serves a totaly different purpose. The original story's purpose was to be a heavy story with a powerful message about tragedy and Sacrifice. Wheras the films purpose was to entertain children and make them happy.
reply
The different ending is because each story serves a totaly different purpose. The original story's purpose was to be a heavy story with a powerful message about tragedy and Sacrifice. Wheras the films purpose was to entertain children and make them happy.
reply
Sarah
imagination music hans christian anderson adaptation much more better yes one of a kind but its story and plot are more surreal its an art a masterpiece yes have multiple theories or origin story theories but hans christian anderson does a lot better
reply
imagination music hans christian anderson adaptation much more better yes one of a kind but its story and plot are more surreal its an art a masterpiece yes have multiple theories or origin story theories but hans christian anderson does a lot better
reply
Juan
I Absolutely loved the 1989 The Little Mermaid where The Mermaid gets a happy ending I Absolutely loved the Animated series as well the 19 century writer of the Fairy Tale should have gotten his ass kicked for writing a Horrible Ending
reply
I Absolutely loved the 1989 The Little Mermaid where The Mermaid gets a happy ending I Absolutely loved the Animated series as well the 19 century writer of the Fairy Tale should have gotten his ass kicked for writing a Horrible Ending
reply
Olvia
73: This is why I stick with Disney movies than the actual source material.
Such as Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules and Mulan
reply
73: This is why I stick with Disney movies than the actual source material.
Such as Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules and Mulan
reply
Sifilore
In the og tale when she becomes a child of air (fairy, she must shed a tear on sleeping children to gain her own soul. As each child will shed a year of her mermaid lifespan that's longer then humans.
reply
In the og tale when she becomes a child of air (fairy, she must shed a tear on sleeping children to gain her own soul. As each child will shed a year of her mermaid lifespan that's longer then humans.
reply
Trina
I was surprised to hear that Anderson's original story was far more grim, and heartbreaking. Obviously, Disney put in their own happy ending, since they couldn't have a bleak conclusion in a kids' film.
reply
I was surprised to hear that Anderson's original story was far more grim, and heartbreaking. Obviously, Disney put in their own happy ending, since they couldn't have a bleak conclusion in a kids' film.
reply
Ghostface
The original story is actually an allegory for how Andersen was in love with a man, but it was forbidden and he wanted to be a woman. He identified with the heroine and it's a beautiful allegory.
reply
The original story is actually an allegory for how Andersen was in love with a man, but it was forbidden and he wanted to be a woman. He identified with the heroine and it's a beautiful allegory.
reply
El
Disney did the right thing by changing Ariel's fate
No protagonist should have to suffer so much to be with the one she loves, and all for nothing. Especially if the consequence for failure is death
reply
Disney did the right thing by changing Ariel's fate
No protagonist should have to suffer so much to be with the one she loves, and all for nothing. Especially if the consequence for failure is death
reply
Olvia
80: Chapter One -Hans Christian Andersens treasure in the sea
Chapter Two -A Voice
Chapter Three -Disneys 1989 The Little Mermaid
Chapter Four -34 Years Later, A Live Action Adaptation
reply
80: Chapter One -Hans Christian Andersens treasure in the sea
Chapter Two -A Voice
Chapter Three -Disneys 1989 The Little Mermaid
Chapter Four -34 Years Later, A Live Action Adaptation
reply
Dan_Gaming_Fan
The fact that Disney was able to create such a classic musical love story from such a traumatic tragic tale, is proof how amazing both them, and directors Ron and Jon truly are.
reply
The fact that Disney was able to create such a classic musical love story from such a traumatic tragic tale, is proof how amazing both them, and directors Ron and Jon truly are.
reply
Olvia
75: Im very impressed by this video. Really am.
Hans Christian Andersen sees himself in The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling and Walt Disney sees himself in Cinderella
reply
75: Im very impressed by this video. Really am.
Hans Christian Andersen sees himself in The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling and Walt Disney sees himself in Cinderella
reply
Olvia
76: For this movie being an animated gem, it has a lot of heart to the characters mostly Ariel and the music. The late Howard Ashman is proud for making this come to life
reply
76: For this movie being an animated gem, it has a lot of heart to the characters mostly Ariel and the music. The late Howard Ashman is proud for making this come to life
reply
Compucles
I was 5 years old when the movie came out, and it was how I learned we were called humans as a species. Before then, I just thought we were called people.
reply
I was 5 years old when the movie came out, and it was how I learned we were called humans as a species. Before then, I just thought we were called people.
reply
msmojo
I think an adaptation DOES have to be faithful to be a good adaptation. It doesn't have to be faithful to be a good thing, but good as an adaptation, yes.
reply
I think an adaptation DOES have to be faithful to be a good adaptation. It doesn't have to be faithful to be a good thing, but good as an adaptation, yes.
reply
christy
I was a Freshman in high school, I was told I was too big for cartoons, no one understood autistic people, I don't care what they told me in high school!
reply
I was a Freshman in high school, I was told I was too big for cartoons, no one understood autistic people, I don't care what they told me in high school!
reply
Freedom
I personally love both the tale and the movie for different reasons. I love how about all the changes the movie made worked for its different story.
reply
I personally love both the tale and the movie for different reasons. I love how about all the changes the movie made worked for its different story.
reply
Omar
The original story is more tragic, like Ariel not actually ending up with Eric, who marries another girl. Obviously, Disney changed it for the movie
reply
The original story is more tragic, like Ariel not actually ending up with Eric, who marries another girl. Obviously, Disney changed it for the movie
reply
skippymagrue
Hans Christian Andersen stories always end happy because it's either a happy ending that we expect or they have the chance to go to Heaven.
reply
Hans Christian Andersen stories always end happy because it's either a happy ending that we expect or they have the chance to go to Heaven.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
