MOVIES: The Little Mermaid - Platinum Edition

"THE LITTLE MERMAID, one of the most celebrated animated films of all time -- and winner of two Academy Awards® (Best Music, Original Score; Best Music, Original Song, "Under The Sea," 1989) -- splashes onto an exciting 2-Disc DVD with an all-new digital restoration. Ariel, a fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend, the adorable Flounder, and the reggae-singing Caribbean crab Sebastian at her side. But it will take all of her courage and determination to make her dreams come true—and save her father's beloved kingdom from the sneaky sea witch Ursula! Dive into a world of music and adventure in this new 2-Disc Platinum Edition your family will enjoy again and again!" - from disneyvideos.disney.go.com.

We happened to be at the store today and saw "The Little Mermaid" on the shelves and of course had to buy it. I forgot it was being released today.

Originally released in theatres on November 15th, 1989, The Little Mermaid was the 28th Walt Disney Animated Classic and grossed over $200,000,000 worldwide. It is the 8th Walt Disney Animated Classic released under the Platinum Edition moniker, the first seven being Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (2001); Beauty and the Beast (2002); The Lion King (2003); Aladdin (2004); Bambi (2005); Cinderella (2005) and Lady and the Tramp (2006).

According to Disney Trivia, The Little Mermaid was originally planned as one of Disney's earliest films. Production started soon after Snow White, but was put on hold due to several circumstances probably from World War II.

If you look at the beginning of the movie when King Triton is riding the dolphin pulled chariot over the audience of mermaids and merman you can see Mickey, Donald, Goofy and a frog that looks really similar to Kermit the Frog (see pictures below and click each one to make it bigger).







The next two Platinum Edition Walt Disney Animated Classics to be released will be Peter Pan and The Jungle Book. Peter Pan is scheduled to be released on March 6th, 2007 and The Jungle Book in October 2007.