Disney Film; the Divergence from the Andersen's The Little Mermaid

Rating: Null/10 (27 May 2008)

Hans Christian Andersen The Little Mermaid has invited people into an imaginary world, a sea world is more charming, enchanting, and fascinating than people could imagine. Andersen's tale has been loved by readers all over the world for years. Disney transformed the book into an animated film which is full of rich music. Both are a 'love story' between a pure little mermaid and a good looking warmhearted prince. However, the film departs from its book version in its characters in the nature of the conflict between goodness and evil, and their endings to reveal another world of creativity.
The film approaches its supporting characters differently than the original. The film introduces more a dynamic sea witch called Ursula as another main character. While the sea witch plays only a minor in the book, Disney's Ursula uses Ariel, the little mermaid, as bait to catch her father in a plot for revenge. Moreover, the animated movie invents attractive supporting characters such as Sebastian, the crab who always enjoys giving advice, Flouder, who is a close friend of Ariel, and Scuttle, who is considered a clumsy expert in the world of human. In addition, Max and Grimsby are the faithful supporters of Eric, the prince whom Ariel saves from the wrecked ship and falls in love with. These charming characters help audience numbers to enjoy the film.
Both versions also differ in the nature of the conflict between the main characters. While the book explores the conflict of the little mermaid with herself, the movie focuses on the conflict between goodness and evil to reveal the meaning of justice. In the film, Ursula represents evil, taking any cruel action to gain whatever she wants. She is portrayed as a half-human and half-octopus witch banished by Triton, like Satan was banished by God. Ursula seduces the little mermaid in a spell for her revenge and takes away her voice. She even disguises herself as a pretty lady to hold back Ariel's love. On the other hand, Eric, King Triton and Ariel's friends represent goodness. For example, Eric realizes Ariel was the one who rescued him and loves her with all his heart. So he fights against the sea witch to keep his pure love. In the case of Triton, he is willing to sacrifice his life for his headstrong daughter, showing an unconditional parents' love. In addition, Ariel's friends understand Ariel's pure love and help her. These symbols such as pure love, unconditional sacrifice and deep friendship are always supposed to win at the end and overcome any obstacle. Disney wants to give the audience of a valuable lesson.
There is also a different ending story in the film. While the book has a sad ending, the film concludes its happy ending: "They live happily ever after." For instance, in the book, the little mermaid is willing to give her life up for her unrequited love and becomes foam in spite of her sibling's earnest request. Her love story is gloomy and melancholy. It gives the message to readers to adopt fate and not to defy it. On the other hand, the movie reveals a different vision at the end. The film works toward its happy ending, encouraging audience members to have courage and be willing to fulfill whatever they really desire instead of warning us not to dream about what we don't possess. In the long run, both versions have their own different visions of fate. One tells that fate is given; the other tells that fate is made by people themselves.
The Disney film is willing to change the well-known fairy tale to conclude with a happy ending with its own point of view. In this respect, it is meaningful that the Disney film shows entertainment of changing the old-fashioned fairy tale into a new dynamic film filled with unforgettable music. Furthermore, the differences in characters, conflicts and endings in both versions explore that an imaginary world is always unlimited and changeable. Thus, when people read books or watch movies, if they give full play to their imagination instead of accepting the story itself literally, they can gain more abundant pleasure and enjoy their own exploration in the story. Now, it is time to spread a stretch of imagination and enjoy another fairy tale.