Customer Reviews

The Little Mermaid (Not Disney Version) [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Don't judge a video by it's cover; this film was Japanese-animated in 1973 by Tomoharu Katsumata, the creator of "Arcadia of my Youth/Captain Harlock". By the time of it's American theatrical release in 1979, the film was taken under the direction of African/American actor, Tim Reid, who also directed "Once Upon A Time, When We Were Colored", and starred in the tv movie "Stephen King's It" This version is true to Hans Christian Anderson's orginal text,especially the ending, and is rather melodramatic, which appeals to an adult level, and reminds them to always have a box of tissues beside them while viewing this beautiful feature. I think this film would of been better off in the drama, animation, or special interest section than the children section; Thus, the film's ending will dissapoint young children who are used to the happy endings they see from Disney. Even though the characters of this film have talking animals for companions, don't expect any comic relief from them because the emotions these characters display are quite real as when we feel jealousy and greif. Such examples are displayed while Marina is staying with the prince, and his siamese cat, Jenny, is very jealous of the attention he's giving the mute girl(I thinks she suspects she was a mermaid) and plots ways of trying to get rid of her,even wanting her killed in the attempt, even if it means having him die with her. There were originally scenes which included brief nudity as when Marina and her sisters' bare breasts are exposed, and Marina's transformation into a human which almosts shows her completley nude. There are even scenes which include blood. But, unfortunately, these scenes have been cut in this edition, including a scene which a silly servent gets overexcited and exclaims about seeing an unconsious girl unclothed. The animation, screenplay, and instrumental score of the film are absolutely beautiful, and the religous Christian themes expressed are quite moving.It's a shame,though, that American animation never displays melodramtic features as Japan does,like "The Grave of the Fireflies", "The Bell of Chiron" ("The Ringing Bell"),and "The Legend of Syrius" ("Sea Prince and the Fire Child"); as well as other internationally animated films like "Watership Down", "The Plague Dogs", "When The Bough Breaks" (British), and "Sarah and the Sqiurrel" (Austrailian) which I reviewed some time ago on this page. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys films faithfully adapted to their original text. It also includes a live-action,documental backround of the story's origins with scenes of Copenhagen, Denmark, with it's famous "Little Mermaid" statue, serving as a prologue and epilouge for the film. The screen-format of this film is better viewed with a wide-screen television monitor, because it doesn't fit with a regular television monitor format. Be sure to check out this film wherever you can find it. Don't miss it!

don't be fooled by the cover. this is the old Little Mermaid movie with Marina and that little dolphin!

I cannot even express my happiness at finally finding this version of The Little Mermaid. I had seen the box of this one before but had dismissed it because of the cover animation. I'm glad I finally decided to get it anyway because it turned out to be the right one! This was my favorite movie as a child and to this day every time I see it my heart breaks into a million pieces. You will never see a more beautiful version of this story. I was told for years that it was completely out of print. I'm soooo glad I finally found it! Get this!!!!!

this movie is so beautiful!when I was a child I would watch it all the time until it broke..then I never saw it agian until now! Im so glad I found it! I didnt think this was the right one because of the cover but believe me it is! its wonderful art and a magnificent story! If you havent seen it its total buy! Its soo heart wrenching...its like you can feel it!

I first saw this movie when I was extremely little; after spotting it in the video store I begged my mom to get it because of my love and obsession of mermaids. My sister and I loved the movie and the often goofie characters at first. It wasn't until I was a little older that the strangeness and sadness of it started to get to me; I realize now that it was only my love of mermaids and the lightheartedness of my age that kept me from dwelling on the morbidness of the film.

The animation is very strange in the movie; the background looks like something you'd see on a stage instead of in the ocean and the sea creatures often look like they're flying in the air rather than swimming. I certainly wouldn't call all the music beautiful; it's definetly haunting, but more often ghostly and sad rather than pretty.

The next to the last scene is the most morbid and disturbing, showing the sweet mermaid floating dead under water, her body slowly dissolving into foam while her cute little dolphin friend chases the bubbles and cries her name in a futile and heartbreaking attempt to reach her. The worst part of this scene was the chorus of disembodied voices in the background; I guess they were supposed to be singing, but it sounded more like they were wailing out of tune and I heard no beauty in it.

I stopped watching the movie after a while and, as I grew older, the memories disturbed me more and more. Sometimes I even had nightmares because of the bad taste it left me. Having said this, you may wonder why I gave it three stars. The movie disturbs me, but it does have some good points. First of all, the characters are so real they'll grab you, make you laugh or boil with rage, than break your heart in the end. The second reason is that the film, whatever its faults, does a great job of simply bringing out the intensity and tragedy of the original story.

This movie may very well not be to your liking; a lot of it depends on the age group that watches it. The juvenile level of the dialogue is aimed at kids, but I wouldn't recommend it for any children under eight because some of the story is too disturbing and could scar them. I'm nineteen now and I'll probably try to see this movie again to put my disturbing memories to rest. If you like animated and/or moving films, you'll probably appreciate this one. But if you have a sensitive small child, please do not show them this movie. I know from personal experience that this would not be a good idea.

I agree with what everyone else is saying about this movie in their reviews. This movie really is better than disney and though it may be a little sad for kids, it does have the real ending of the story of the The Little Mermaid. The music in this film is so hauntingly beautiful. Everyone really should see it! This is one of the best films I've ever seen

I just got this video today and I watched it. I noticed that they edited the appearance of her body ever so slightly and I'm not sure, but I think they cut out some scenes. I mean, I don't excactly remember everything about the movie the first time I watched it (15+ years ago), but it did seem that scenes were missing. Also, the box cover is horrible compared to the original. Anyway, for people who wants to see the true telling of the story of the little Mermaid, I recommend that you buy it. As soon as you watched it, you will never ever forget it. I gave it for stars because of the editing and the box cover, which does not display the actual appearance of the character in the video.

I remember the first time I watched this, it was about 15 years ago. I fell in love with this movie and I was excited to hear that Disney created their version but when I saw it, I was very disappointed. Disney change the story, especially the ending. If any of you want to see the real ending I recommend that you purchase this video. Disney's version cannot compare to this classic.

Hans Christian Anderson's telling. The image on the cover is NOT like the animation of the actual movie. Be prepared though: the film's final message is that a woman should sacrifice her entire life and self for the good of her man (whether he loves her or not).

THIS MOVIE DOES NOT HAVE A HAPPY ENDING, BUT MOST OF THE ORIGANAL FAIRY TELLS DON'T. IT MAKES YOU CRY WHEN SHE TURNS INTO SEA FOAM AT THE END OF THE MOVIE, WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING A GOOD ENDING. MY FAVORITE CARTOON MOVIE OF ALL TIME.