The Little Mermaid (1989 film)

Ariel the Little Mermaid, also known as simply The Little Mermaid or Ariel, is a 1989 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It tells a fairytale story about a mermaid who makes a Faustian bargain with a villainous sea witch in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love. The same title of the spin-off series was aired on CBS from September 11, 1992 to November 26, 1994, and the direct to video films were released in 2000 with The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea and 2008 with The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. The live-action remake of the same title was released on May 26, 2023

Written and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. Songs by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.

Somewhere under the sea and beyond your imagination is an adventure in fantasy. Tagline

Ariel

Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh! Have you ever seen anything so wonderful in your entire life?
If only I could make him understand. I just don't see things the way he does. I don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad
I've never seen a human this close before. Oh- He's very handsome, isn't he?
[furious] You... YOU MONSTER!!!
Eric, you've got to get away from here!
[softly] Just go away.

Prince Eric

A girl rescued me. She was singing. She had the most beautiful voice.
I'm telling you, Grim, she was real. I'm gonna find that girl... and I'm gonna marry her.
Grim, I lost her once! I'm not gonna lose her again!
No, I won't leave you!

Sebastian

Teenagers. They think they know everything. You give them an inch, they swim all over you.
[as Ariel sleeps] You are hopeless, child. You know that? Completely hopeless.
I tried to stop her, sire! She wouldn't listen! I told her to stay away from humans! They are bad! They are trouble! They—!
There you see her / Sitting there across the way / She don't got a lot to say / But there's something about her / And you don't know why / But you're dyin' to try / You wanna kiss the girl.
Well, it's like I always say, Your Majesty: Children got to be free to lead their own lives.

Flounder

You know I can't swim that fast.
[screams in terror] ARIEL!

Scuttle

Ariel, I was flying. I was- Of course I was flying. And I saw the watch- the witch was watchin' the mirror, and she was singin' with a stolen set of pipes! [picks up Sebastian and slams him down on every word] DO YOU HEAR WHAT I'M TELLIN' YOU?! THE PRINCE IS MARRYING THE SEA WITCH IN DISGUISE!

King Triton

I consider myself a reasonable merman. I set certain rules, and I expect those rules to be obeyed!
[angry] So help me, Ariel, I am going to get through to you! And if this is the only way, so be it.

Ursula

[watching Ariel quickly swim home from her lair; first lines] Yes, hurry home, Princess. We wouldn't want to miss old Daddy's celebration, now, would we? Ha! Celebration, indeed. Oh, bah! In my day, we had fantastical feasts when I lived in the palace. Now look at me, wasted away to practically nothing. Banished and exiled and practically starving, while he and his flimsy fish folk celebrate. Well, I'll give 'em something to celebrate soon enough. Flotsam! Jetsam! I want you to keep an extra close watch on this pretty little daughter of his. She may be the key to Triton's undoing.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. I can't stand it. It's too easy. The child is in love with a human. And not just any human. A prince! [Chuckles] Her daddy will love that. King Triton's headstrong, lovesick girl would make a charming addition to my little garden. [Cackles]
Come in. Come in, my child. We mustn’t lurk in our doorways. It’s rude.
Nice work, boys. That was a close one. Too close. The little tramp! Ah, she's better than I thought. At this rate, he'll be kissing her by sunset for sure! Well, it's time Ursula took matters into her own tentacles! Triton's daughter will be mine, and then I'll make him writhe. I'll see wriggle like a worm on a hook!
Not a chance, Triton! She's mine now!
You pitiful, insignificant fools! Now I am the ruler of all the ocean! The waves obey my every whim. The sea and all its spoils bow to my power!
[last words before her demise] So much for true love!

Vanessa

Eric! Get away from her!

Grimsby

Eric, if I may say, far better than any dream girl is one of flesh and blood, one warm and caring and right before your eyes.

Chef Louis

Come out, you little pipsqueak, and FIGHT LIKE A MAN!!! [Carlotta: LOUIS! What are you doing?!] Well, I was just... I'm sorry, madame.

Carlotta

Why, Eric, that's the first time I've seen you smile in weeks.

Princess Andrina

Isn't it obvious, Daddy? Ariel's in love. [King Triton: Ariel? In love?]

Dialogue

[Three seagulls fly through gray clouds then swoop down over the ocean. Below, a pod of smiling dolphins leap through the waves in arcing jumps and are swimming happily. The dolphins stop and a seagull flies beside them on the surface. Behind them, a sailing ship looms through the mist, crashing through the waves. The ship's huge wooden prowl heads straight towards the viewers and cruises past. On board, burly sailors haul in a net full of fish from the water.]

Sailors: [Singing] I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue And it's hey to the starboard, heave ho Look out, lad, a mermaid be waitin' for you In mysterious fathoms below.

[A dark-haired young man named Prince Eric stands on deck.]

Prince Eric: Isn't this great? The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face... [Eric's dog Max barks as the wind blows in their faces.] a perfect day to be at sea!

Grimsby: [his face is green from obvious seasickness and he is leaning over the side of the ship to throw up] Oh yes... delightful...

Sailor 1: A fine strong wind and a following sea. King Triton must be in a friendly-type mood.

Prince Eric: King Triton?

Sailor 2: Why, ruler of the merpeople, lad. Thought every good sailor knew about him.

Grimsby: Merpeople! Eric, pay no attention to this nautical nonsense.

Sailor 2: [wildly waving a fish in Grimsby's face] But it ain't nonsense, it's the truth! I'm tellin' ya, down in the depths o' the ocean they live.

Sailors: [singing] Heave. ho. Heave, ho. In mysterious fathoms below.

[The fish in his hand wiggles away and lands back in the ocean, relieved. He stops for a breath then speeds down, leaving a trail of silvery bubbles behind him.]

[Titles roll in shimmering letters "The Little Mermaid" as various fish swim and seaweed sways gently. The camera follows the escaped fish as it makes its way through the ocean pass some sea anemones, a school of tropical fish, and a group of jellyfishes. Neat the ocean floor a pod of whales swims as the fish swims near.]

[In a landscape of coral and seaweed, merpeople swim. They speed over the ocean floor, gently slipping their flipper tails. Swimming through a tunnel, they reach a great palace with at the Kingdom of Atlantica. The merpeople and other sea creatures swim inside and take their seats filling the concert hall inside.]

[Fish with trumpet-like noses play a fanfare. A tiny seahorse with a ruffled collar appears. He coughs before he speaks.]

Herald: His royal highness, King Triton!

[Triton enters dramatically, being pulled on a seashell chariot by a trio of dolphins to wild cheering. Sparks shoot from his trident and light a chandelier.]

Herald: And presenting the distinguished court composer, Horatio Thelonious Ignatius Crustaceous Sebastian!

[A fanfare of kazoos play. Sebastian, a tiny red crab, enters riding a small seashell chariot being pulled by two orange fish. He is met with mild applause. He pulls up beside King Triton.]

King Triton: I'm really looking forward to this performance, Sebastian.

Sebastian: Oh, Your Majesty, this will be the finest concert I have ever conducted. [Triton lets go bridles on the dolphins as the chariot on lands on the balcony] Your daughters - they will be spectacular! [The fish flip Sebastian upside down.]

King Triton: Yes, and especially my little Ariel.

Sebastian: Yes, yes, she has the most beautiful voice. Hmm? ... [under his breath] If only she'd show up for rehearsals once in a while...

[A spotlight appears over Sebastian, and he rides his chariot out over the stage and takes his place at the podium. He takes out a book of music. He taps his baton and directs the orchestra of fish.]

[The sisters swim out of giant clam shells as they sing.]

Ariel's sisters: [singing] Oh, we are the daughters of Triton / Great father who loves us and named us well: Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, Alana And then there is the youngest in her musical debut / Our seventh little sister, we're presenting her to you / To sing a song Sebastian wrote, her voice is like a bell / She's our sister Ari– [ A shell rises as the sisters surround it. But when it opens, it is empty! all gasp]

King Triton: [angrily shouting] ARIEL!

[The scene cuts to a sunken shipwreck.]

[Triton's daughter Ariel appears on the mass of a sunken ship looking at something until she hears a voice.]

Flounder: [from a distance] Ariel, wait for me...

Ariel: [waving him over] Flounder, hurry up!

Flounder: [catching up is a small yellow and blue fish named Flounder] You know I can't swim that fast.

Ariel: [pointing to a sunken ship] There it is. Isn't it fantastic?

Flounder: Yeah... sure... it - it's great. Now let's get outta here.

[Flounder begins to swim away, and Ariel yanks his fins towards her.]

Ariel: You're not getting cold fins now, are you?

[Ariel swims towards the ship. Flounder follows after her.]

Flounder: Who, me? No way. It's just, it, err... it looks - damp in there. Yeah. And I think I may be coming down with something. Yeah, I got this cough.

[Flounder coughs unconvincingly.]

Ariel: All right. I'm going inside. You can just stay here and - watch for sharks.

[Ariel swims inside through a porthole.]

Flounder: O.K. Yeah - you go. I'll stay and - [suddenly realizing what's she's said] what? Sharks! Ariel!

[He tries to squeeze through the porthole but gets stuck.]

Flounder: Ariel... I can't... I mean- Ariel help!

Ariel: [laughs] Oh, Flounder.

Flounder: [whispering] Ariel, do you really think there might be sharks around here?

[Ariel comes back to help him.]

Ariel: Flounder, don't be such a guppy.

[A huge Great White shark passes behind them as Flounder squeezes in.]

Flounder: I'm not a guppy. [Flounder finally squeezes through and explores the ship with Ariel] This is great - I mean, I really love this. Excitement, adventure, danger lurking around every corn-

[Flounder sees a skull and screams. He crashes into a pillar, causing wooden beams to fall down.]

Flounder: ARIEL!

[He swims frantically away, knocking over Ariel.]

Ariel: Oh, are you okay?

[Flounder shakes intensely.]

Flounder: Yeah sure, no problem, I'm okay...

Ariel: Shhh...

[Ariel swims to an upper level of the ship. Resting atop a heap is a silver fork.]

Ariel: Oh, my gosh! Oh my gosh! [picking up a fork] Have you ever seen anything so wonderful in your entire life?

Flounder: Wow, cool! But, err, what is it?

Ariel: I don't know. But I bet Scuttle will.

[Ariel puts the fork in her bag. The shark swims by outside.]

Flounder: What was that? Did you hear something?

Ariel: [distracted by a pipe] Hmm, I wonder what this one is?

Flounder: Ariel...

Ariel: Flounder, will you relax. Nothing is going to happen.

[The shark appears in front of the porthole, behind Flounder, jaws wide open. He chomps down on the glass.]

Flounder: SHARK! SHARK! WE'RE GONNA DIE!

[The shark bangs his head on the ceiling of the ship. He chases Ariel and Flounder, and they swim for an upper deck. Flounder screams as the shark breaks through the floor, chomping towards them. Ariel's bag gets caught on a plank and she goes back for it.]

[Flounder swims towards a porthole and gets stuck again.]

Flounder: Oh, no!

[Ariel pushes him through and wriggles out behind him. Flounder screams as the shark bursts through the wall and chases them around the ships' mast.]

Flounder bumps into a crossbeam. The shark lunges towards Flounder but misses as Flounder sinks towards the bottom with a dazed look. Ariel spots him and swims down to get him, dropping her bag.]

[The shark races towards them, but his head gets stuck in the ring of an anchor. Ariel picks up her bag, which has landed near her]

Flounder: You big bully.

[Flounder blows a raspberry. The shark snaps at him and Flounder swims with Ariel towards the surface.]

Ariel: [laughing] Flounder, you really are a guppy.

Flounder: I am not.

[The scene cuts to the surface.]

[On a tiny island, a seagull named Scuttle hums a song and looks through his telescope.]

Scuttle: [singing] 1492, dah-de-dum dee-do-do, rum-dim-dim, dee-do-dee-do

[Scuttle sticks his telescope on his head]

Ariel: Scuttle!

Scuttle: [looking through the telescope the wrong way, making Ariel appear farther away, shouting] Whoa! Mermaid off the port bow! Ariel, how you doin' kid?

[Scuttle lowers the telescope to reveal Ariel at wing's length]

Scuttle: Whoa, what a swim!

Ariel: Scuttle - look what we found.

[Ariel pulls up her bag and hands it to Scuttle.]

Flounder: Yeah - we were in this sunken ship - it was really creepy.

Scuttle: Human stuff, huh? Hey, lemme see.

[Scuttle drops an anchor. It catches on his foot and knocks him off his perch. Rummaging through Ariel's bag after stepping over Flounder, he takes out the fork.]

Scuttle: Oh! Oh! Look at this. Wow - this is special - this is very, very unusual.

Ariel: What? What is it?

Scuttle: It's a dinglehopper! Humans use these little babies... '[[Scuttle flicks the fork, but catches it] to straighten their hair out.

[Scuttle twirls the fork around his feathers on top of his head.]

Scuttle: See - just a little twirl here an' a yank there and - violee!

[Scuttles feathers go up in a poof.]

Scuttle: You got an aesthetically pleasing configuration of hair that humans go nuts over.

[Scuttle hands the fork back to Ariel.]

Ariel: A dinglehopper!

Flounder: [in reference to the pipe] What about that one?

[Scuttle shows Ariel and Flounder a tobacco pipe]

Scuttle: This, I haven't seen this in years. This is wonderful! A banded, bulbous snarfblatt.

Ariel and Flounder: Oh!

Scuttle: Now, the snarfblatt dates back to pre-hysterical times when humans used to sit around and stare at each other all day. [comes face to face with Ariel] Got very boring. So they invented this snarfblatt to make fine music. Allow me. [blows into it, only to have seaweed and water come out]

Ariel: [realizing what Scuttle said] Music!

Scuttle: [coughs] It's stuffed!

Ariel: Oh, the concert! Oh, my gosh, my father's gonna kill me!

Flounder: The concert was today?

Scuttle: [inspects the "snarfblatt" further] Maybe you could make a little planter out of it or somethin'.

Ariel: [takes it back] Uh, I'm sorry! I've gotta go! Thank you, Scuttle!

[she and Flounder swim back home]

Scuttle: Anytime, sweetie! Anytime.

Ursula: [watching Ariel from her lair via Flotsam and Jetsam] Yes. Hurry home, Princess. We wouldn't want to miss old Daddy's celebration, huh? Would we? [scoffs] Celebration, indeed. Oh, bah! In my day, we had fantastical feasts, when I lived in the palace. [closeup of her eating a shrimp] Now, look at me. Wasted away to practically nothing. Banished and exiled and practically starving! While he and his flimsy fish folk celebrate. Well, I'll give 'em something to celebrate soon enough. [to her eels] Flotsam! Jetsam! I want you to keep an extra close watch on this pretty little daughter of his. She may be the key to Triton's undoing. [fade to black]

[King Triton is admonishing Ariel in the throne room]

King Triton: I just don't know what we're going to do with you, Little Lady.

Ariel: Daddy, I'm sorry, I just forgot, I...

King Triton: As a result of your careless behavior...

Sebastian: Careless and reckless behavior.

King Triton: The entire celebration was, er...

Sebastian: Well, it was ruined! That is all, completely destroyed! This concert was to be the pinnacle of my distinguished career. Now thanks to you, I am the laughingstock of the entire kingdom!

Flounder: [swimming up to King Triton] But it wasn't her fault! Well, first, this shark chased us. Yeah, yeah! And we tried to… But we couldn't. And then, "grr!" And… and we, whoa! Ah, and then we were safe. But then this seagull came, and it was "this is this, and that is that, and…"

King Triton: "Seagull"? What? Oh. You went up to the surface again, didn't you? Didn't you?!

Ariel: Nothing... happened.

King Triton: [exasperatedly] Ariel, how many times must we go through this? You could've been seen by one of those barbarians, by... by one of those... Humans!

Ariel: Daddy, they're not barbarians!

King Triton: They are dangerous. Do you think I want to see my youngest daughter snared by some fish-eater's hook?

Ariel: I'm 16 years old! I'm not a child anymore!

King Triton: Don't you take that tone of voice with me, young Lady. As long as you live under my ocean, you'll obey MY rules.

Ariel: But if you would just listen—

King Triton: NOT ANOTHER WORD! And I am never, NEVER to hear of you going to the surface again. IS THAT CLEAR?!

[Ariel disappointedly swims away]

Sebastian: Hmph. Teenagers. They think they know everything. You give them an inch, they swim all over you.

King Triton: Do you think I-I was too hard on her?

Sebastian: Definitely not. Why, if Ariel was my daughter, I'd show her who was boss. So none of this flitting to the surface and other such nonsense. No, sir - I'd keep her under tight control.

King Triton: [smiles] You're absolutely right, Sebastian.

Sebastian: Of course.

King Triton: Ariel needs constant supervision.

Sebastian: Constant.

King Triton: Someone to watch over her, to keep her out of trouble.

Sebastian: All the time.

King Triton: [pokes Sebastian] And you are just the crab to do it.

[Cut to Sebastian walking down corridor.]

Sebastian: How do I get myself into these situations? I'm supposed to be writing symphonies, not tagging along after some headstrong teenager. [Sees Ariel and Flounder sneaking off and follows.] Hmm? What is that girl up to? [He barely makes it into the grotto and sees Ariel's collection.] Huh?

Flounder: Ariel, are you okay?

Ariel: If only I could make him understand [Sebastian covers his mouth in disbelief.] I just don't see things the way he does. I don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things - could be bad. [Ariel swims around referencing various items in her collection. Sebastian frowns and stays out of sight. Ariel dances with Flounder and sings about her dream of being part of the human world. As Ariel's hair floats around her, she gazes up at a hole at the top of her grotto.] [Singing] Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? / Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? / Wouldn't you think I'm the girl? / The girl who has everything? / Look at this trove / Treasures untold / How many wonders can one cavern hold?/ Lookin’ around here you'd think / Sure, she's got everything. / I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty / I've got whozits and whatzits galore. [Sebastian looks through a pair of glasses; Ariel opens a box of wine cork removers] You want thingamabobs? I've got twenty! / But who cares? / No big deal. / I want more / I wanna be where the people are. / I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancin’ / [plays with dancing music box] Walkin’ around on those, what do you call ‘em? / Oh, feet / Flippin’ your fins, you don't get too far. / Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’ / Strollin’ along down a, what's that word again? Street / Up where they walk, up where they run / Up where they stay all day in the sun. / Wanderin’ free, wish I could be part of that world. / What would I give if I could live out of these waters? / What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand? / Betcha on land they understand / Bet they don't reprimand their daughters. / Bright young women, sick of swimmin’. / Ready to stand? / [reads a book] And ready to know what the people know / Ask them my questions and get some answers. / [looking for the portrait] What's a fire and why does it, what's the word? / Burn? / When's it my turn? / Wouldn't I love / love to explore that shore up above? [Swims to the top of the grotto and sticks her hand out; she then sadly sinks back down to the floor] / Out of the sea / Wish I could be, part of that world…

[Sebastian has been struggling around and now comes crashing down making a lot of noise.]

Ariel: Sebastian!?

Sebastian: Ariel? What, are you… How could you… what is all this?

Ariel: It, err, it's just my... collection.

Sebastian: Oh. I see. Your collection. Hmm. IF YOUR FATHER KNEW ABOUT THIS PLACE, HE'D—

Flounder: You're not gonna tell him, are you?

Ariel: Oh, please, Sebastian, he would never understand.

Sebastian: Ariel. You are under a lot of pressure down here. Come with me, I'll take you home and get you something warm to drink. [A ship passes by overhead]

Ariel: Now, what do you suppose…?

Sebastian: Ariel? Ariel!

[Ariel swims out of the grotto and up towards a ship. Above the surface, fireworks explode in the sky around ship. Ariel gasps and looks on, amazed. Sebastian and Flounder surface beside her.]

Sebastian: Ariel, what - what are you- [gasping] Jumpin' jellyfish! [Ariel leaps to the ship.] Ariel, Ariel! Please come back!

[Ariel climbs up the ship and watches a party on board eye-level at the deck. Three sailors play music as the others dance a jig. Max, a shaggy sheepdog barks and scampers around the dancers.]

Prince Eric: [whistles] Max, here, boy. [Max runs to Eric. Ariel touches her cheek where Max licked her.] Hey, come on, mutt, whatcha doin', huh Max? Good boy, good boy.

[Max jumps on Eric and barks. Ariel sees him and is lovestruck. Scuttle flaps down towards her, speaking loudly.]

Scuttle: Hey, there, sweetie! Quite a show, eh?

Ariel: Scuttle, be quiet! They'll hear you.

Scuttle: Oooh, I gotcha, I gotcha. We're bein' intrepidatious. WE'RE OUT TO DISCOVER!

Ariel: [grabs his beak and looking around and sees Prince Eric] I've never seen a human this close before. Oh- He's very handsome, isn't he?

Scuttle: [looking at Max] I dunno; he looks kinda hairy and slobbery to me.

Ariel: [laughs] Not that one! The one playing the snarfblatt!

Grimsby: [holding his arms out] Silence! Silence! It is now my honor and privilege to present our esteemed Prince Eric with a very special, very expensive, very large birthday present.

[Grimsby gestures towards a large object covered in cloth and tied with a red ribbon.]

Prince Eric: [knocking Grimsby on the back] Ah, Grimsby - ya old beanpole, you shouldn't have.

[Sailors cheer and whistle.]

Grimsby: I know. Happy birthday, Eric!

[A large, gaudy statue of Eric, holding a sword and stepping atop a giant royal crest is revealed. Max growls.]

Prince Eric: Gee, Grim. It's, uh, it's, uh - it's really somethin'.

Grimsby: Yes, I commissioned it myself. Of course, I had hoped it would be a wedding present, but...

Prince Eric: [grabbing the telescope from Grimsby] Aw, come on, Grim, don't start. Look, you're not still sore because I didn't fall for the princess of Glauerhaven, are you?

[Eric looks out of the telescope for a second before tossing it back to Grimsby, who catches it clumsily.]

Grimsby: Oh, Eric, it isn't me alone. The entire kingdom wants to see you happily settled down with the right girl.

[Eric sits on the railing of the ship looking out towards the sea.]

Prince Eric: Well, she's out there somewhere. I just - I just haven't found her yet.

Grimsby: Well, perhaps you haven't been looking hard enough.

Prince Eric: Believe me, Grim, when I find her, I'll know - without a doubt. It'll just - bam! - hit me - like lightning.

[Grimsby and Eric look up to the sky as thick clouds of lightning and thunder appear and the sky grows dark for a hurricane.]

Sailor: HURRICANE A'COMIN'! STAND FAST! SECURE THE RIGGIN'!

[Thunder rumbling, Eric and the sailors run to different parts of the deck as rain starts to fall and giant waves swell up, rocking the ship. The crew pulls hard on ropes tied to a sail.

[In the ocean, a wave crashes over Flounder and Sebastian. On board, Scuttle holds onto a rope.]

Scuttle: Whoa! The wind's all of a sudden on the move here!

[A gust of wind blows Scuttle away.]

Scuttle: Yo! Ariel!

[On board, the captain tries to hold onto the ship's wheel, but it spins out of his hands. The ship crashes through storm and a wave passes over the deck. Eric runs to the wheel and grabs it.]

[On the side of the ship, Ariel loses her grip on the ropes and falls into the water. Swimming underneath, she swims up the stern and sees a flash of lightning hit a sail. A fire breaks out smells like barbecue, and the ship looms towards jutting rocks. Ariel gasps.]

Prince Eric: [pointing ahead] Look out!

[The ship rams into the rocks and all are thrown overboard, except Max. Eric's statue sinks down below the waves beside Grimsby coughing, who flaps his arms about.]

Prince Eric: Grim, hang on [Eric pulls him into a lifeboat, then sees Max still on the ship. The dog barks as flames flash in front of him.] Max! [Eric dives back into the water and climbs up the side of the burning ship smelling like barbecue. As he leaps onto the deck, one of the masts breaks and crashes down. Eric leaps out of the way. Flames spread.]

Grimsby: Eric!

[Eric looks over deck. The flames reach a barrel of gunpowder, and the ship explodes. The sailors and Grimsby look on from their lifeboat, staring in horror. Ariel swims to the ship to find Eric. He floats on a board, unconscious and rolls off, sinking into the water. Ariel dives down to grab him and swims to the surface.]

[Cuts to the beach shore.]

[On the beach, Eric lies on his back, unconscious, with Ariel leaning over him. Scuttle lands beside them.]

Ariel: Is he - dead?

[Scuttle opens Eric's eyelid.]

Scuttle: It's hard to say.

[Scuttle puts his head up against Eric's foot.]

Scuttle: Oh, I - I can't make out a heartbeat.

Ariel: No, look! He's breathing. [moving his hair from his face] He's so, beautiful.

[Sebastian and Flounder have washed up. They watch as Ariel caresses Eric's cheek and sings longingly. Sebastian drops his jaw in disbelief and Scuttle closes it.]

Ariel: What would I give to live where you are? / What would I pay to stay here beside you? / What would I do to see you smiling at me? / Where would we walk, where would we run / If we could stay all day in the sun? / Just you and me, and I could be / Part of your world

[The sun parts through the gray clouds and Eric's eyes flutter open as he touches Ariel's hand, only seeing her waist up. He watches as the golden sunlight lights up behind her. Max barks and runs to lick Eric's face. Grimsby approaches and she dives into the water.]

Grimsby: Eric! Oh, Eric. You really delight in these sadistic strains on my blood pressure, don't you?

[Grimsby helps Eric up and he shakes his head.]

Prince Eric: A girl - rescued me... She was - singing... she had the most - beautiful voice.

Grimsby: Ah, Eric, I think you've swallowed a bit too much seawater. Off we go. Come on, Max.

[Max stands in the water, barking towards Ariel and her friends.]

Sebastian: [to Flounder] We just gotta forget this whole ting ever happened. The sea king will never know. You won't tell him, I won't tell him. I will stay in one piece.

[Ariel hoists herself upon a rock to watch Eric leave. Behind her, Flotsam and Jetsam rise from the water.]

Ariel: I don't know when, I don't know how / But I know something's starting right now / Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be / Part of your world

[Cuts to Ursula's lair.]

[Ursula watches Ariel through a magical bubble.]

Ursula: Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. I can't stand it - it's too easy. The child is in love with a human. And not just any human - a prince! [sarcastically] Her daddy'll love that. King Triton's headstrong, lovesick girl would make a charming addition to my little garden.

[Attached to the floor, hundreds of sad shriveled merfolk squirm and shake. Ursula laughs evilly.]

[Cuts to Atlantica Palace.]'

[Cuts to Mersisters' dressing room.]'

Andrina: Ariel, dear, time to come out. You've been in there all morning.

[Ariel emerges from behind a curtain, humming "Part of Your World" to herself.]

Attina: What is with her lately?

[Ariel picks a red flower and swims away. She bumps into her father.]

Ariel: Morning, Daddy.

[Ariel puts the flower in his hair and swims off, spinning in circles. He chuckles.]

Attina: Oh, she's got it bad.

King Triton: What? What has she got?

Andrina: Isn't it obvious, Daddy? Ariel's in love.

King Triton: Ariel? In love?

[King Triton picks the flower from his hair and looks at it.]

[Cuts to the undersea rocks. Sebastian paces on a rock.]

Sebastian: O.K. So far, so good. I don't think the king knows.

[Orange flower petals fall around Sebastian. One lands on his face, and he blows it off.]

Sebastian: But it will not be easy keeping something like this a secret for long.

[The camera rises up to reveal Ariel picking orange flowers.]

Ariel: He loves me... hmm, he loves me not... He loves me! I knew it!

[Ariel hugs the last flower petal. Sebastian joins her on the rock.]

Sebastian: Ariel, stop talking crazy.

Ariel: I gotta see him again - tonight! Scuttle knows where he lives.

[Ariel begins to swim away. Sebastian grabs onto her fins.]

Sebastian: Ariel - please. Will you get your head out of the clouds and back in the water where it belongs?

Ariel: I'll swim up to his castle. Then Flounder will splash around to get his attention, and then with... -

[Sebastian gets in front of her face.]

Sebastian: Down here is your home!

Sebastian: Ariel - listen to me. The human world - it's a mess. Life under the sea is better than anything they got up there.

[Sebastian and various other sea creatures sing to Ariel to convince her living in the ocean is the best life.]

Sebastian: The seaweed is always greener / In somebody else's lake / You dream about going up there / But that is a big mistake / Just look at the world around you / Right here on the ocean floor / Such wonderful things surround you / What more is you lookin' for? / Under the sea / Under the sea / Darling it's better / Down where it's wetter / Take it from me / Up on the shore they work all day / Out in the sun they slave away / While we devotin' / Full time to floatin' / Under the sea

Sebastian and Blue Crab: Down here all the fish is happy / As off through the waves they roll / The fish on the land ain't happy

Sebastian: They sad 'cause they in their bowl {a fish is seen in a bubble} / But fish in the bowl is lucky / They in for a worser fate / One day when the boss get hungry

Deep Voice Fish: [bubble around him pops] Guess who's gon' be on the plate?

Sebastian: Oh, no, under the sea / Under the sea / Nobody beat us / Fry us and eat us / In fricassee [fish swim around Ariel] / We what the land folks loves to cook / Under the sea we off the hook / We got no troubles / Life is the bubbles / Under the sea (under the sea) / Under the sea (under the sea) / Since life is sweet here / We got the beat here / Naturally (naturally) / Even the sturgeon and the ray / They get the urge 'n' start to play / We got the spirit / You got to hear it / Under the sea / The newt play the flute / The carp play the harp / The plaice play the bass / And they soundin' sharp / The bass play the brass / The chub play the tub / The fluke is the duke of soul / (Yeah) / The ray he can play / The lings on the strings / The trout rockin' out / The blackfish she sings / The smelt and the sprat / They know where it's at / And oh that blowfish blow

[Flounder swims past the bunch but is pulled back by a fish who shimmies with him. He pulls free and finds Ariel, whispering in her ear. She smiles and swims away, following him.]

Sebastian: Yeah, under the sea (under the sea) / Under the sea (under the sea) / When the sardine / Begin the beguine / It's music to me (it's music to me) / What do they got? A lot of sand / We got a hot crustacean band / Each little clam here / Know how to jam here / Under the sea / Each little slug here / Cuttin' a rug here / Under the sea / Each little snail here / Know how to wail here / That's why it's hotter / Under the water / Ya we in luck here / Down in the muck here / Under the sea!

[Sebastian does not notice and continues his song and dance with the sea creatures. Everyone points to Ariel's empty place as the grand finale and turns away disappointed.]

Sebastian: Ariel? Oh... somebody's got to nail that girl's fins to the floor.

Herald: Sebastian! Sebastian, I've been looking all over for you. I've got an urgent message from the sea king.

Sebastian: The sea king?

Herald: [tugging at Sebastian] He wants to see you right away. Uh, something about Ariel.

[Sebastian gasps.]

Sebastian: He knows!

[At the palace, King Triton is sitting on his throne, as he looking at flower]

King Triton: [laughs] Let's see, now... Oh, who could the lucky merman be? [notices Sebastian] [clears throat] Um... Come in, Sebastian.

Sebastian: [as he walks to King Triton] I mustn't overreact. I must remain calm. [Five octaves higher than normal] Yes. [Ahem...] Yes, Your Majesty.

King Triton: Sebastian, I'm concerned about Ariel. Have you noticed she's been acting peculiar lately?

Sebastian: [pretending to act confused] Oh! Uh, peculiar?

King Triton: You know, mooning about, daydreaming, singing to herself. You haven't noticed, hmm?

Sebastian: Oh- well, I-

King Triton: Sebastian?

Sebastian: [looks up] Hmm?

King Triton: I know you've been keeping something from me.

Sebastian: [nervously] Keeping... someting?

King Triton: About Ariel?

Sebastian: Ariel?

King Triton: [point his trident at his chin] In love?

Sebastian: [protested] I TRIED TO STOP HER, SIRE! SHE WOULDN'T LISTEN! I TOLD HER TO STAY AWAY FROM HUMANS! THEY ARE BAD! THEY ARE TROUBLE! THEY—!

King Triton: [as he shocked at what Sebastian said] Humans? [and also losing control of his rage with his magic trident at full power and yelling at Sebastian] WHAT ABOUT HUMANS?!

Sebastian: Humans? Ho ho ho ho… Who said anything about humans?

[King Triton angrily grabs Sebastian]

[Triton grabs Sebastian and pulls him away.]

[Cuts to Ariel's Grotto. Ariel and Flounder enter the grotto.]

Ariel: Flounder, why can't you just tell me what this is all about?

Flounder: You'll see. It's a surprise.

Ariel: [sees the statue of Eric in the middle of the cave] Oh, Flounder- Flounder you're the best! It looks just like him. It even has his eyes. [speaking to the statue] Why, Eric, run away with you? This is all so... so sudden... [Ariel laughs and twirls around. She gasps as she sees Triton glaring in the entryway.] Daddy?

[Flounder hides behind a chest.]

King Triton: [angrily confronts Ariel in her grotto] I consider myself a reasonable merman. I set certain rules and I expect those rules to be obeyed.

Ariel: But Daddy, I...!

King Triton: Is it true you rescued a human from drowning?!

Ariel: Daddy, I had to...

King Triton: Contact between the human world and the merworld is strictly forbidden! Ariel, you know that! Everyone knows that!

Ariel: He would've died!

King Triton: One less human to worry about.

Ariel: [angrily] You don't even know him!

King Triton: Know him? I don't have to know him! They're all the same: Spineless, savage, harpooning fish-eaters, incapable of any feeling...

Ariel: DADDY, I LOVE HIM!

[Ariel gasps in shock, as she has accidentally slipped the truth. Sebastian cringes in horror.]

King Triton: [as he shocked at what Ariel said] No. [and also losing control of his outrage with his daughter] Have you lost your senses completely?! He's a HUMAN, you're a MERMAID!

Ariel: I don't care!

King Triton: So help me, Ariel, I will get through to you. And if this is the only way, so be it.

[With his trident at full power, Triton furiously points it towards one of Ariel's treasures and angrily blasts it. The blast is so intense that it scares Ariel, including Sebastian]

Ariel: DADDY? NO, NO, PLEASE! [But King Triton, in his rage, refuses to stop. He continues furiously pointing his trident at one artifact and then another, mindlessly destroying everything in his path] DADDY, STOP! DADDY, STOP IT! [She swims to her angry Father and tries stopping him, but it’s no use. The only treasure left in the grotto is the statue of Prince Eric. Seeing that he is now focused on that, Ariel turns to her angry Father] DADDY, NO! [But King Triton angrily ignores the pleas of his frightened daughter and angrily blasts the statue. Pieces of the statue fly around the grotto as the explosion subsides. The trident calms down as she looks in horror at where the statue was. Her grotto, full of many treasures just minutes ago, is now a barren cave with much wreckage. Overcome with sadness, she collapses onto the ground and starts sobbing. King Triton sternly looks at his daughter, but knowing that his time in the grotto is about over, he doesn't say a word and turns to leave. But as he does, he can't help but feel that he went too far in scolding Ariel for some reason. He glimpses at Ariel with remorse before leaving. Sebastian and Flounder are the only ones left in the grotto and are terrified at what just happened. Feeling terrible for Ariel, Sebastian approaches the crying girl and tries to comfort her.]

Sebastian: Ariel, I...

Ariel: [softly] Just go away.

[Sebastian, remorseful in agreement for leading King Triton into the grotto, which resulted in the destruction of Ariel's treasures, leaves somberly with Flounder. Ariel was now on her own, sobbing over losing her treasures, all that she collected for years, and the Prince Eric statue, the newest and most fascinating treasure of them all. She was now left with nothing.]

[The camera pans out to show the destroyed grotto. Flotsam and Jetsam peer out over a shelf.]

Flotsam: Poor child.

Jetsam: Poor, sweet child.

Flotsam: She has a very serious problem.

Jetsam: If only there were something we could do.

Flotsam: But there is something.

Ariel: [stops crying for smelling hickory grotto] Who... who are you?

Jetsam: Don't be scared.

Flotsam: We represent someone who can help you.

Jetsam: Someone who could make all your dreams come true.

Flotsam and Jetsam: Just imagine...

Jetsam: You and your prince...

Flotsam and Jetsam: Together... forever... [they form a heart]

Ariel: I don't understand.

Jetsam: Ursula... has great powers.

Ariel: [gasps and places a hand to her heart.] The sea witch? [shaking her head] Why, that's... I couldn't possibly... no! Get out of here! Leave me alone!

Flotsam: Suit yourself.

Jetsam: It was only a suggestion.

[Jetsam flicks the statue's broken face towards Ariel. She picks it up.]

Ariel: [looking at the face] Wait.

Flotsam and Jetsam: Yes?

Flounder: [sniffling] Poor Ariel.

Sebastian: I didn't mean to tell, it was an accident.

[Ariel passes by with Flotsam and Jetsam. Alarmed, Sebastian swims up.]

Sebastian: Ariel - where are you going? Ariel, what are you doing here with this riff-raff?

Ariel: [determinedly] I'm going to see Ursula.

[Sebastian gasps and grabs onto Ariel's fins.]

Sebastian: Ariel, no! No, she's a demon, she's a monster!

Ariel: [looking back at Sebastian] Why don't you go tell my father? You're good at that.

[Ariel shakes Sebastian off.]

Sebastian: But... But I... [to Flounder] Come on.

[Sebastian and Flounder follow them.]

[Cuts to Ursula's Lair]

[Ariel and the eels swim towards Ursula's lair, which is shaped like a sea monster. An eerie purple light glows from inside then purple/pink smoke poofs. As they swim towards the mouth, Ariel stops.]

Flotsam and Jetsam: This way.

[They enter through the mouth and pass by the garden of souls. Ariel looks at them disgustedly. One grabs her arm, but Ariel pulls free. Ursula's voice is heard from her conch shell rest.]

Ursula: Come in. Come in, my child. We mustn't lurk in doorways - it's rude. [Ursula comes down and sits at the vanity] One might question your upbringing... Now, then. You're here because you have a thing for this human. This, er, prince fellow. Not that I blame you - he is quite a catch, isn't he? Well, angel fish, the solution to your problem is simple. [Ursula puts on bright red lipstick and puckers her lips.] The only way to get what you want - is to become a human yourself.

Ariel: Can you do that?

Ursula: My dear, sweet child. That's what I do - it's what I live for. To help unfortunate merfolk - like yourself. Poor souls with no one else to turn to.

[Ursula opens up a glowing cauldron with pink vapor and sings about helping "poor unfortunate souls." Sebastian and Flounder enter the lair.]

Ursula: I admit that in the past I've been a nasty / They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch / But you'll find that nowadays / I've mended all my ways / Repented, seen the light and made a switch / True? / Yes / And I fortunately know a little magic / It's a talent that I always have possessed / And here lately, please don't laugh / I use it on behalf / Of the miserable, lonely and depressed [spoken] [to Flotsam and Jetsam] Pathetic. [singing] Poor unfortunate souls / In pain / In need / This one longing to be thinner / That one wants to get the girl / And do I help them? / Yes, indeed / Those poor unfortunate souls / So sad, so true / They come flocking to my cauldron / Crying, "Spells, Ursula please!" / And I help them / Yes, I do / Now it's happened once or twice / Someone couldn't pay the price / And I'm afraid I had to rake 'em 'cross the coals / Yes, I've had the odd complaint / But on the whole I've been a saint / To those poor unfortunate souls. [grabbing Ariel] Now, here's the deal. I will make you a potion that will turn you into a human for three days. Got that? [motioning with her fingers] Three days. Now listen, this is important. Before the sun sets on the third day, you've got to get dear ol' princey to fall in love with you. That is, he's got to kiss you. Not just any kiss - the kiss of true love. If he does kiss you before the sun sets on the third day, you'll remain human, permanently, but - if he doesn't, you turn back into a mermaid, and - you belong to me.

Sebastian: No, Ariel!

[Flotsam and Jetsam wrap around Flounder and Sebastian to shut them up.]

Ursula: [grabbing Ariel's face] Have we got a deal?

Ariel: If I become human, I'll never be with my father or sisters again.

Ursula: That's right... But - you'll have your man. Life's full of tough choices, innit? Oh - and there is one more thing. We haven't discussed the subject of payment. You can't get something for nothing, you know.

Ariel: But I don't have any -

[Ursula uses a tentacle to shut up Ariel.]

Ursula: I'm not asking much. Just a token, really, a trifle. You'll never even miss it. What I want from you is... your voice.

Ariel: [touching her throat] My voice?

Ursula: You've got it, sweetcakes. No more talking, singing, zip.

Ariel: But without my voice, how can I -

Ursula: You'll have your looks! Your pretty face! And don't underestimate the importance of body language! Ha! [Ursula shakes her hips and resumes singing.] [Ursula mixes her potion and pulls out a golden contract and quill in the shape of a fish's skeleton. Flounder and Sebastian gape as Ariel signs the contract.] The men up there don't like a lot of blabber / They think a girl who gossips is a bore / Yes, on land it's much preferred / For ladies not to say a word / And, after all, dear, what is idle prattle for? / Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation / True gentlemen avoid it when they can / But they dote and swoon and fawn / On a lady who's withdrawn / It's she who holds her tongue who gets her man / Come on, you poor unfortunate soul / Go ahead! / Make your choice! / I'm a very busy woman / And I haven't got all day / It won't cost much / Just your voice! / You poor unfortunate soul / It's sad / But true / If you want to cross a bridge, my sweet / You've got to pay the toll / Take a gulp and take a breath / And go ahead and sign the scroll! / Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys / The boss is on a roll / This poor unfortunate soul! / Beluga! Sevruga! Come, winds of the Caspian Sea! / Amnesia, glossitis et max laryngitis, la voce to me! [Ursula begins casting her spell to take Ariel's voice. A giant, ghastly pair of creepy green hands appear beside Ursula, who is cast in green light.] Now... sing! [Ariel vocalizes besides the green smoke.] Keep singing! [A glowing green current whips around Ariel as her voice glows within her. The hands rip out Ariel's voice and it floats into Ursula's shell necklace, who laughs evilly.]

[A poof of pink/purple smoke rises from the cauldron and a bubble forms around Ariel. A whipping gold current rushes around her and her tail splits into two legs. She hurriedly tries to swim and is rushed to the surface by Flounder and Sebastian.]

[Ariel springs into the air to get a breath of air. She puts her arms around Sebastian and Flounder, and they swim her to the shore.]

[Cuts to the shore.]

[Eric leans his back on his seaside castle and plays the flute. Max is beside him.]

Prince Eric: That voice. I can't get it out of my head. I've looked everywhere, Max - where could she be?

[n a cove further along the shoreline, Ariel lays on a rock. Sebastian and Flounder pant, exhausted. Ariel pushes her hair out of her face and sits up. She sees her legs and is amazed. She lifts her foot in the air and wiggles her toes.]

Scuttle: Well, look at what the catfish dragged in! [Scuttle lands on her leg.] Look at ya! Look at ya! There's somethin' different. Don't tell me - I got it. It's your hairdo, right? [Ariel shakes her head.] You've been usin' the dinglehopper, right? No? No huh, well let me see. New... seashells? No new seashells. [Ariel shakes the leg Scuttle is perched on to give him a clue.] I gotta admit, I can't put my foot on it right now, but if I just stand here long enough, I know that I'll -

Sebastian: [shouting] She's got legs, you idiot! She traded her voice to the sea witch and got legs. Jeez, man...

Scuttle: I knew that.

Flounder: Ariel's been turned into a human. She's gotta make the prince fall in love with her, and he's gotta ki- he's gotta kiss her.

[Ariel's legs wobble as she tries to stand up.]

Sebastian: And she's only got three days [Ariel falls over, splashing her friends.] Just look at her. On legs. On human legs! My nerves are shot. This is a catastrophe! What would her father say! I'll tell you what her father'd say! [grabbing Flounder's face] He'd say he's gonna kill himself a crab, that's what her father'd say! [marching away] I'm gonna march meself straight home right now and tell him just like I shoulda done de minute- [Ariel picks up Sebastian and holds him in his hands. He wags his claw at her as she shakes her head.] And don't you shake your head at me, young lady! Maybe there's still time. If we could get that witch to give you back your voice, you could go home with all the normal fish, and just be... just be... just be miserable for the rest of your life. All right, all right, we'll help you find dat prince. [Ariel smiles and kisses Sebastian's head. She sets him down.] Boy. What a soft-shell I'm turning out to be.

[Scuttle lands beside wreckage.]

Scuttle: Now, Ariel, I'm tellin' ya, if you wanna be a human the first thing you gotta do is dress like one. Now lemme see. [He picks up a sail.]

[Eric walks along the shore with Max. He sniffs and raises his brow. He barks and hops around excitedly. He runs down the beach.]

Prince Eric: Max? Huh... what, Max!

[Eric follows Max. Scuttle whistles.]

Scuttle: Ya look great, kid. Ya look - sensational.

[Ariel wears the sail tied with ropes. She's alarmed by Max's barking. Flounder splashes back into the sea and Sebastian skitters away hopping behind a rock. Ariel climbs onto the rock and Max licks her face.]

Prince Eric: Max... Max - Quiet Max [Max tugs at Eric's leg.] What's gotten into you fella? [seeing Ariel] Oh... Oh, I see. Are you O.K., miss? I'm sorry if this knucklehead scared you. He's harmless, really - [Eric gazes at her face and points at her.] You... seem very familiar... to me. Have we met? [Ariel nods.] We have met? [Max comes between them and barks.] I knew it! [grabbing Ariel's hands] You're the one - the one I've been looking for! What's your name? [Ariel tries to answer, but no sound comes out of her mouth. She touches her throat, disappointed.] What's wrong? What is it? [Ariel taps her throat.] You can't speak? [Ariel shakes her head. Oh, oh. Then you couldn't be who I thought. [Ariel and Max let out frustrated sighs. Ariel waves her arms in an attempt to pantomime]. What is it? You're hurt? No, No... You need help. [Ariel falls into his arms. Eric holds her, helping her stand.] Whoa, whoa, careful - careful - easy. Gee, you must have really been through something. Don't worry, I'll help you. Come on... Come on, you'll be okay.

[Eric leads her away. Scuttle gives a thumbs up and Flounder grins.]

[In a magnificent 1820s bathroom, Ariel sits in a water tub of bubbles.]

Carlotta: Washed up from a shipwreck. Oh, the poor thing. We'll have you feeling better in no time. [Carlotta splashes a bucket of water on top of her head. Sebastian peeks out from where he's been hiding in Ariel's makeshift dress. Carlotta picks it up, grimacing.] I'll just - I'll just get this washed for you.

[Sebastian sits in a tub of soapy water as women surround it and wash.]

Woman 1: Well, you must have at least heard about this girl.

Woman 2: Well, Gertrude says...

[The woman rungs the dress down a washboard and Sebastian is pulled along with it.]

Woman 2: ...since when has Gertrude got anything right. [Sebastian burps with bubbles] I mean really, this girl shows up in rags and doesn't speak-[Sebastian is pulled through a wringer with a shirt.] Not my idea of a princess. If Eric's looking for a girl, I know a couple of highly available ones right here...

[Sebastian crawls into the pocket of shirt that is hung to dry. As the shirt slides past a window, he falls in headfirst. His eyes bug out as he sees dead fish on a chopping block, a boiling pot of sea creatures, and a platter of stuffed crabs. He faints.]

[Grimsby sits at the head of the table as Eric gazes out the windows, which stretch from floor to ceiling, at the ocean.]

Grimsby: Oh, Eric, be reasonable. Nice young ladies just don't - swim around rescuing people in the middle of the ocean and then - flutter off into oblivion, like some -

Prince Eric: I'm tellin' you, Grim, she was real! I'm gonna find that girl - and I'm gonna marry her.

Carlotta: Ha Ha. Come on honey. Don't be shy.

[Carlotta and Ariel come through the entrance. Ariel wears a long sleeve pink gown with pink high heels.]

Grimsby: Oh, Eric, isn't she a vision?

Prince Eric: Uh, you look - wonderful.

Grimsby: [taking Ariel] Come come come, you must be famished. Let me help you my dear. [Grimsby and Eric settle Ariel into a chair.] There we go - ah - quite comfy? Uh. It's - It's not often that we have such a lovely dinner guest, eh Eric? [Ariel sees a fork on the table and picks it up, combing her hair. Eric holds a goblet and raises an eyebrow. Grimsby looks perplexed. She puts it down, embarrassed] Uh, do you like it? It is rather - fine...

[She blows into it, covering Grimsby's face in ashes by Ariel. Eric laughs.]

Carlotta: Oh, my!

Prince Eric: Ahem, so sorry Grim.

Carlotta: Why, Eric, that's the first time I've seen you smile in weeks.

[Ariel smiles at this. Grimsby wipes his face.]

Grimsby: Oh, very amusing. Carlotta, my dear, what's for dinner?

Carlotta: Ooo, you're gonna love it. Chef's been fixing his specialty, stuffed crab.

[Sebastian watches Chef Louis take out a bowl of dead fish. He sings to himself as he cooks.]

Chef Louis: Nouvelle Cuisine / Les Champs-Elysées / Maurice Chevalier / Les poissons, les poissons / How I love les poissons / Love to chop and to serve little fish / First I cut off their heads / Zen I pull out their bones / Ah mais oui, ça c'est toujours délice / Les poissons, les poissons / Hee hee hee, haw haw haw / With the cleaver I hack zem in two / I pull out what's inside [pulls out the guts from the fish and throws it in a pot] / And I serve it up fried / God, I love little fishes, don't you? / Here's something for tempting ze palate [Sebastian quivers and hides as Louis brutalizes the sea creatures.] [A fish's head lands in front a mortified Sebastian. He hides under a leaf of lettuce to escape] / Prepared in the classic technique / [But as Louis clangs down on the table with a cleaver, Sebastian is jolted into the air.] First you pound the fish flat with a mallet / Then you slash through the skin / Give the belly a slice / Then you rub some salt in / 'Cause that makes it taste nice. [Louis raises the leaf and sees Sebastian.] Zut alors, I have missed one! [Louis picks up Sebastian.] Sacre bleu! What is this? How on earth could I miss such a sweet little succulent crab? Quel dommage, what a loss! Here we go in the sauce. [He throws him in a sauce bowl with Polynesian sauce and throws flour on him.] Now some flour-I think just a dab. [Sebastian sneezes.] Now I stuff you with bread. [Louis stuffs Sebastian's shells with lettuce and bread.] It don't hurt, 'cause you're dead And you're certainly lucky you are. [he spits it out.] 'Cause it's gonna be hot in my big silver pot. Tootle-loo, mon poisson, au revoir! [He tosses Sebastian into the boiling pot, with one of the hot bubbles popping at him changing him back to red and tossing him out of the pot and on the counter. Chef Louis notices him. He picks him up with a fork.] What is this?

[Sebastian pinches his nose and Sebastian flies away, landing on the handle of a saucepan. Louis tries to grab him again and his hand goes on the stove. Yowling, he reels back in pain. A pan lands on his foot and he hops about.]

[He grabs knives from a knife block and throws them towards Sebastian, who scampers through a small hole in the cabinet. On the counter he drops a bowl with food onto Louis' head. He runs under the cabinet again as the chef lifts an enormous knife and chops it in half.]

[Sebastian dashes across the floor as a knife lands in front of him. He runs between Louis' legs towards a cabinet with dishes. Louis jumps to the cabinet with a hammer.]

[Crashing noises are heard.]

Carlotta: I think I'd better go see what Louis is up to.

[The kitchen is in total disarray as Louis digs around looking for Sebastian.]

Chef Louis: Come out, you little pipsqueak, and FIGHT LIKE A MAN!!!

Carlotta: [losing control of her rage and yelling at Louis] LOUIS!

[Louis bangs his head. Carlotta puts her hands on her hips.]

Carlotta: What are you doing?!

Chef Louis: Well - I - I was just - er, er, I'm sorry, Madame. [Extinguishes the flame on his mustache]

[Carlotta carries out the dinner plates in a huff.]

Grimsby: You know, Eric, perhaps our young guest might enjoy seeing some of the sights of the kingdom. Something in the way of a tour?

[Carlotta sets their plates down. Eric gazes at Ariel, head in hand.]

Prince Eric: I'm sorry, Grim, what was that?

Grimsby: You can't spend all your time moping about, you need to get out. Do something, have a life.

[Grimsby lifts his plate's cover to reveal Sebastian cowering in the salad. He motions "shh."]

Grimsby: Get your mind off -

[Ariel beckons him to hide in her plate.]

Prince Eric: It's not a bad idea, if she's interested.

[Sebastian runs to Ariel's plate, and she covers it.]

Prince Eric: Well - whaddaya say? Would you like to join me on a tour of my kingdom tomorrow?

[Ariel nods vigorously, leaning heavily on her plate's cover.]

Grimsby: Wonderful, now let's eat, before this crab wanders off my plate.

[He stabs his fork at an empty plate.]

[Ariel leans on her balcony, wearing a long sleeve pink nightgown. She watches as Eric plays with Max on the lawn.]

Prince Eric: Come here, boy! Grrr...

[Max licks Eric's face and Eric ruffles his fur. He sees Ariel and waves. She waves shyly and backs into her room.]

[Ariel brushes her hair with a fork and Sebastian sits on a table.]

Sebastian: This has got to be, without a doubt, the single most humiliating day of my life. [Sebastian picks a lettuce leaf off his head. Ariel passes him and pats his head] I hope you appreciate what I go through for you, young lady. [Ariel sinks into her bed.] Now - we got to make a plan to get that boy to kiss you. Tomorrow, when he takes you for that ride, you gotta look your best. You gotta bat your eyes - like this. You gotta pucker up your lips - like this. [Sebastian demonstrates to Ariel. He sees Ariel has fallen asleep. Smiling, he blows out a candle on the nightstand and hops onto the pillow beside her.] Hmm. You are hopeless child. You know dat? Completely hopeless...

[The seahorse swims hurriedly to the throne room, where King Triton swims back and forth with his hands behind his back.]

King Triton: Any sign of them?

Herald: No, Your Majesty. We've searched everywhere. We've found no trace of your daughter - or Sebastian.

King Triton: Well, keep looking. Leave no shell unturned, no coral unexplored. Let no one in this kingdom sleep until she's safe at home.

Herald: Yes, sire.

[The seahorse bows and leaves. Triton sits in his throne.]

King Triton: Oh, what have I done? What have I done?

[The sun rises. Carlotta and Grimsby wave goodbye to Eric and Ariel as they ride away in a horse-drawn buggy. They take a road leading to town and Ariel points excitedly. Ariel leans over the side of the buggy to watch the ground and the horse's feet clopping.]

[As they pass over a canal, Flounder leaps through the water. Sebastian peers out over the buggy.]

Flounder: Has he kissed her yet?

Sebastian: Not yet.

Flounder: [disappointedly] Ohh.

[In the bustling town square, Ariel watches a man push a cart of clucking chickens. Two puppets perform on a small stage. Ariel pulls one off, revealing the puppeteer's hand. She pulls Eric's hand to the dance area. He twirls her and lifts her into the air.]

[Scuttle flies overhead as Flounder swims in the canal.]

Scuttle: Yo, Flounder! Any kissing?

Flounder: No, not yet.

Scuttle: Hmm. Well, they - they better get crackin'.

[In the buggy, Eric and Ariel ride out of town. Ariel wears a hat and holds bread, a bouquet of flowers, and a pair of boots. Eric offers Ariel the reins. She eagerly snaps them and the buggy races forward. Eric gasps, seeing a wide gulley ahead. Ariel speeds and they soar across to the other side. Eric peeks up from the floor of the buggy. As they rise off into the countryside, Eric relaxes, folding his hands behind his head.]

[Eric rows himself and Ariel out on the lagoon.]

Flounder: Move over - move your big feathers. I can't see a thing.

Scuttle: Nothing, is happening... Only one day left, and that boy ain't puckered up once. O.K. All right, this calls for a little vocal romantic stimulation. Stand back.

[Scuttle lands on a branch and sings horribly.]

Prince Eric: Wow. Somebody should find that poor animal and put it out of its misery.

[Ariel grimaces and puts her head in her hands as Scuttle signals "A OK." Sebastian covers his ears.]

Sebastian: Jeez, man, I'm surrounded by amateurs! [He dives down into the water and picks a reed.] You want something done, you've got to do it yourself. First, we got to create the mood. :[Ducks appear and turtles turn over on their backs.] Percussion... [The ducks tap the turtle's bellies as if they were drums.] Strings...[Sebastian conducts crickets, who rub their legs together] Winds... [The wind blows through the reeds.] Words. [singing] There you see her / Sitting there across the way / She don't got a lot to say / But there's something about her / And you don't know why / But you're dyin' to try / You wanna kiss the girl

Prince Eric: [turning to look back] Did you hear something?

[Ariel shrugs.]

[Sebastian and the lagoon creatures continue singing, disappointed that Eric hasn't kissed Ariel.]

Sebastian: Yes, you want her / Look at her, you know you do / Possible she wants you too / There is one way to ask her / It don't take a word / Not a single word / Go on and kiss the girl / Sing with me now / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / My oh my / Look like the boy too shy / Ain't gonna kiss the girl / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Ain't that sad? / Ain't it a shame? / Too bad, he gonna miss the girl

Prince Eric: You know, I feel really bad not knowing your name. Heh - maybe I could guess. Is it, uh, Mildred? [Ariel sticks out her tongue in disgust.] O.K., no. How 'bout - Diana? [Ariel shakes her head.] Rachel?

Sebastian: [whispering] Ariel. Her name is Ariel.

[Eric looks back, confused.]

Prince Eric: Ariel? [Ariel nods enthusiastically.] Ariel? [Ariel takes his hand] Well, that's kinda pretty. O.K. - Ariel...

[Sebastian and the lagoon creatures continue serenading them as they float along. Two pelicans pull back the leaves of a willow tree as Eric and Ariel pass through.]

Sebastian: Now's your moment (ya, ya, ya) / Floating in a blue lagoon (ya, ya, ya) / Boy, you better do it soon / No time will be better (ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya) / She don't say a word / And she won't say a word / Until you kiss the girl [Fish circle under the boat, turning it slowly.] / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Don't be scared (sha-la, sha-la-la ya, ya, ya) / You got the mood prepared (woah, woah) / Go on and kiss the girl [Fireflies surround the boat.] / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Don't stop now (sha-la, sha-la-la ya, ya, ya) / Don't try to hide it how / You wanna kiss the girl (whoa, whoa) / [As Scuttle begins to sing, flamingos shut him up.] Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Float along (sha-la, sha-la-la) / And listen to the song / The song say kiss the girl (whoa, whoa) [Fish, including Flounder, surround the boat and spurt water from their lips, creating a fountain effect. The animals whisper to kiss Ariel.] / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / The music play (ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya) / Do what the music say / You got to kiss the girl [Eric leans in and gazes into her eyes. Ariel closes her eyes and puckers her lips in anticipation.]/ You've got to kiss the girl / Oh, don't you wanna kiss the girl / You've gotta kiss the girl / Go on and kiss the girl

[Eric closes his eyes as well and their lips nearly touch before they are knocked out of the rowboat, which flips thanks to Flotsam and Jetsam, then Eric and Ariel fall into the water.]

[Sebastian hits his head and Scuttle looks mortified.]

Prince Eric: Whoa, hang on - I've gotcha.

[The lagoon creatures skitter away as Flotsam and Jetsam rise and slap their tails in the style of a high-five and snicker.]

[Ursula watches Ariel and Eric through a bubble.]

Ursula: Nice work, boys. That was a close one. Too close. The little tramp! Oh, she's better than I thought. At this rate, he'll be kissing her by sunset for sure. [Ursula swims to her shelf of ingredients and smashes them aside, picking up some ingredients. Well, it's time Ursula took matters into her own tentacles! [Ursula smashes ingredients into the cauldron, sending puffs of smoke in the water.] Triton's daughter will be mine - and then I'll make him writhe. I'll see him wriggle like a worm on a hook! [Laughing, she clutches her nautilus shell around her neck. A golden light emanates from behind her transitioning into the moon. Ursula transforms into a human and her voice becomes Ariel's.]

[The moon shines bright. On a terrace, Eric plays the melody of "Part of Your World (Reprise)" on his flute. He gazes out to sea, contemplating as Grimsby approaches.]

Grimsby: [putting an arm around Eric] Eric, if I may say, far better than any dream girl, is one of flesh and blood, one warm and caring, and right before your eyes.

[Eric glances up at a window where Ariel stands in her nightgown, combing her hair with a fork. Eric smiles towards her. He looks sadly at his flute. Gazing firmly at it, he stakes a step back and throws it out into the water. He looks towards Ariel's window and begins to stride towards it, but stops.]

[He hears Ariel's voice vocalizing "Ahhh." He leans over the edge of the terrace to see a woman walking along the shore, Ursula in disguise. Eric strains to see her clearly. The shell necklace hangs around her neck, glowing brightly. An eerie golden mist winds through the air towards Eric. It fills his eyes, enchanting him.]

[Scuttle swoops over the castle, flying to Ariel's window.]

Scuttle: Ariel! Ariel, wake up! Wake up! I just heard the news. Congratulations, kiddo, we did it!

[Scuttle shakes Ariel's hand as she sits up, still half-asleep. Sebastian yawns and tries to go back to sleep.]

Sebastian: What is this idiot babbling about?!

Scuttle: Right - as if you two didn't know, uh? The whole town's buzzin' about the prince gettin' himself hitched this afternoon! You know, he's gettin' married!

[Scuttle picks up Sebastian and rubs his head.]

Scuttle: You silly sidewalker! [to Ariel] I just wanted to wish you luck. I'll catch you later, I wouldn't miss it!

[Scuttle flies out the window. Ariel's eyes grow wide. Leaping out of bed, she scoops up Sebastian, twirls him around and gives him a kiss on the head. She fluffs her hair and rushes out the room and down the stairs. Sebastian gets out of bed and follows her]

Grimsby: Well, uh - err, Eric. I-it appears that I was mistaken. [Ariel stops, flabbergasted. She hides behind a beam and listens on.] This mystery maiden of yours does - in fact exist. And - and she is lovely. [holding Vanessa's hand] Congratulations, my dear.

Prince Eric: We wish to be married as soon as possible.

Grimsby: Oh, yes - of course, Eric, but, er - but these things do take time, you know...

Prince Eric: This afternoon, Grimsby. The wedding ship departs at sunset.

Grimsby: Oh, oh - very well, Eric - as you wish.

[Ariel is distraught and runs off crying. Vanessa touches her necklace and laughs as Eric stands stiffly, under a trance.]

[The wedding boat departs from the dock. Ariel stands at the docks watching. She sinks to the ground, burying her head and cries. Sebastian looks up at her and sadly bows his head. A tear rolls down her cheek and falls in the water. Nearby, Flounder cries too. Over the ship, Scuttle swoops down over the sky.]

Vanessa: What a lovely little bride I'll make / My dear, I'll look divine [Scuttle peeks through a porthole to see "Vanessa" singing to herself.]/ Things are working out according / To my ultimate design [She throws a hairpin at the Angel figure in her mirror. He gulps, realizing the bride is not Ariel.] / Soon I'll have that little mermaid / And the ocean will be mine [Vanessa steps onto her vanity, crushing a bottle. She twirls around and pulls the mirror towards her. Scuttle sees her reflection is that of Ursula.]

Scuttle: The sea witch! Oh no... She's gotta- I gotta... [In a rush to leave, he bumps his head on the porthole. He flies back to Ariel.] Ariel! Ariel! Ariel, I was flying, I wa - of course I was flying - An' - I s- I saw that the watch - the witch was watchin' a mirror, and she was singin' with a stolen set o' pipes! [Scuttle picks up Sebastian and clanks him against the ground repeatedly.] Do you hear what I'm tellin' you?! The prince is marrying the sea witch in disguise!

[Ariel drops her jaw.]

Sebastian: [rubbing his head] Are you sure about this?

Scuttle: Have I ever been wrong? I mean when it's important!

Flounder: What are we gonna do!?

[Ariel looks to the setting sun and hears Ursula's voice in her head.]

Ursula: Before the sun sets on the third day...

[Ariel leaps into the water and splashes around helplessly. Sebastian cuts free some barrels for Ariel to hang onto.]

Sebastian: Ariel, grab on to dat. Flounder, get her to that boat as fast as your fins can carry you!

Flounder: I'll try.

[Flounder loops himself onto the rope and pulls Ariel along to the boat.]

Sebastian: I've gotta get to the sea king. He must know about this.

Scuttle: What - What about me? What about me?

Sebastian: You - find a way to stall dat wedding!

Scuttle: Stall the wedding. Wh- what am I - what - that's it! [Scuttle squawks and takes off for the lagoon, alerting the other birds. Bluebirds and flamingos follow him. Starfish, lobsters, dolphins, and sea lions look up. The animals follow Scuttle.] Move it! Let's go! We've got an emergency here!

[Cut to: Deck of Eric's boat]

[Vanessa and Eric walk down the aisle. Max snarls at her as she passes by, and she kicks him. A short bishop stands at the end of the aisle.]

Bishop: Dearly beloved...

[Cut to: Ocean]

[Flounder pulls Ariel.]

Flounder: Don't worry Ariel. Ugh - we - we're gonna make it. We're almost there.

[Cut to: Deck of Eric's boat]

Bishop: Yes, um, do you Eric, take Vanessa, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for as long as you both shall live?

[Vanessa looks out to the sun, noticing it's almost set.]

Prince Eric: I do.

[Scuttle squawks.]

Bishop: Eh, and do you... [A squadron of bluebirds swoop down from the sky, led by Scuttle, aimed directly towards Vanessa. She ducks. They circle around and fly under her white dress. Max barks. Guests are alarmed as sea lions get on deck. Pelicans fly overhead and dump beaks full of water on Vanessa. A lobster pinches her nose and starfish smother her and screams.] [Oblivious to the commotion] then by the power invest-

Vanessa: Get away from me you slimy little- [A sea lion tosses her in the air on his nose. Ariel arrives and climbs up the ship. The sea lions toss Vanessa into the wedding cake. She pops out, furious, and three dolphins squirt water in her face. Scuttle squawks in her face.] Oh, why you little- [Vanessa wrings Scuttle's neck. Max breaks free from his leash. Max bites Vanessa in the rear and Scuttle pulls at Vanessa's necklace, which goes flying through the air. The shell of Ursula's necklace was broken into pieces, and Ariel's voice was heard singing and inserted back into Ariel.]

Prince Eric: Ariel?

Ariel: Eric.

[Max barks happily at her.]

Prince Eric: You - you can talk. You're the one.

[Eric runs to her and grasps her hands.]

Vanessa: [now in Ursula's own voice] Eric, get away from her!

[Ursula covers her mouth.]

Prince Eric: It - it was you all the time.

Ariel: Oh, Eric, I - I wanted to tell you.

Vanessa: Eric, no!

[The sun sets as they are about to kiss, and her legs turn back into a tail.]

Vanessa: [cackling] You're too late! You're too late!

[Vanessa rips out of her dress and turns back into Ursula. The crowd gasps in shock.]

Ursula: So long, loverboy.

[She slithers across the deck, grabs Ariel, and dives over the edge of the ship.]

Prince Eric: Ariel!

Ursula: Poor little princess - it's not you I'm after. I've a much bigger fish to -

King Triton: Ursula, stop!

[Triton points his glowing trident at Ursula.]

Ursula: Why, King Triton! Ha ha ha - How are you?

King Triton: Let her go.

Ursula: Not a chance, Triton! She's mine now. We made a deal.

[Ursula shows Triton the glowing scroll as Flotsam and Jetsam restrain Ariel.]

Ariel: Daddy, I'm sorry! I - I - I didn't mean to. I didn't know -

[Triton zaps a beam at Ursula and the contract, which remain unharmed.]

Ursula: You see? The contract's legal, binding and completely unbreakable - even for you. Of course, I always was a girl with an eye for a bargain. The daughter of the great sea king is a very precious commodity.

[The contract is released by Ursula and its golden light swirls around Ariel.]

Ursula: But - I might be willing to make an exchange for someone even better...

[Ursula touches her tentacle to Triton's crown.]

[Cut to: Eric's boat]

[Eric rows a small boat out to sea.]

Grimsby: Eric! What are you doing?

Prince Eric: Grim, I lost her once. I'm not gonna lose her again.

[Cut to: Under the water]

[Ariel becomes increasingly small and shriveled to resemble the souls in Ursula's garden. She holds out the contract.]

Ursula: Now! Do we have a deal? [Triton looks away and signs over Ariel's signature using his trident.] Ha! It's done then! [The magical golden current holding Ariel releases her and takes over Triton, turning him into one of Ursula's souls.]

Ariel: No... Oh, no!

[Ursula cackles.]

[Cut to: above water]

[Eric stands in his rowboat, harpoon in hand.]

[Cut to: under water]

[Only Triton's crown and trident remain.]

Sebastian: Oh, your majesty...

Ariel: Daddy?

Ursula: At last.

[Ursula picks up the crown and puts it on.]

Ariel: No.

Ursula: It's mine.

[She holds the trident and cackles to herself. Ariel angrily springs at her.]

Ariel: You - You monster!

[Ursula throws Ariel down and points the trident at her.]

Ursula: Don't fool with me ya little brat! Contract or no- Ahh!

[Eric's harpoon grazes Ursula's arm. He watches under water.]

Ursula: Why, you little troll!

Ariel: Eric! Eric, look out!

Ursula: [to Flotsam and Jetsam] After him!

[Flotsam and Jetsam chase Eric as he swims back to the surface. He reaches his boat, but they pull him back under water.]

Sebastian: Come on!

[Sebastian and Flounder attack. Sebastian pinches one eel's tail while Flounder flaps his fins in the other's face.]

Ursula: Say goodbye to your sweetheart. [Ursula aims the trident at Eric, but Ariel yanks her hair, causing the beam of lightning to hit Flotsam and Jetsam, who burn to crisps, smelling like burning ash.] Babies! My poor, little poopsies!

[Ursula holds their remains and her eyes go wild. Seeing Ariel escaping, Ursula begins to grow, huff, and release a black cloud of ink. Flounder and Sebastian cower.]

[Cut to: above water]

Ariel: Eric, you've get to get away from here.

Prince Eric: No, I won't leave you.

[A spike on Triton's crown comes between Eric and Ariel as a gigantic Ursula rises from the water, laughing manically. Eric and Ariel jump into the water and clutch each other, looking up to see Ursula towering over them.]

Ursula: You pitiful, insignificant, fool!

Prince Eric: [pointing] Look out!

[One of Ursula's tentacles crashes down into the water.]

Ursula: Now I am the ruler of all the ocean! The waves obey my every whim!

[Ursula raises the trident and swirls it, creating a storm with lightning. A wave sweeps Eric away.]

Ariel: Eric!

Ursula: The sea and all its spoils bow to my power! [She swirls the trident in the water, creating a whirlpool. The spinning funnel reaches the ocean floor, churning up sunken ships. Ariel dodges the wreckage. One of the ships veers towards Eric and he tries to swim away, but he is shoved under water. Gliding along the bottom of the ship, he grabs onto a rope and hoists himself up the side and onto the deck. She was cackling] So much for true love! [As Ursula is about to bring her trident down on Ariel, Eric steers the ship into her. She is impaled by the sharp bow. Ursula screams in pain. Her eyes flash and her body is filled with lightning as the ship goes down on top of her. Her tentacles writhe as the ship sinks into the sea.]

Cut to: under water

[The trident sinks down along with debris.]

[Cut to: Ursula's Lair]'

[The shriveled souls of the Atlanticans trapped in Ursula's lair are set free and swim out of the lair. The trident falls back to Triton, who transforms back into himself.]

[Cut to: shore]

[Eric lies on the beach and Ariel gazes from a distance seated on a rock. Triton and Sebastian look on.]

King Triton: She really does love him, doesn't she, Sebastian?

[Sebastian nods.]

Sebastian: Well, it's like I always say, Your Majesty. Children got to be free to lead their own lives.

King Triton: You - always say that? [sighs] Then I guess there's just one problem left.

Sebastian: And what's dat, Your Majesty?

King Triton: How much I'm going to miss her.

[Sebastian looks up at Triton. The King's trident glows and he touches it to the water. It forms a glowing golden path to Ariel. She looks down, surprised as her tail glows and smiles at her father.] :[Eric wakes up and sees Ariel rising from the water, wearing a shimmering purple gown. She walks towards him, arms open wide, on legs. Eric runs to her and twirls her around. Their lips meet in a kiss, which fades into their wedding day. Max jumps up between them and licks them. Guests on the ship cheer. Carlotta cries and uses Grimsby's handkerchief as a napkin. In the ocean, merpeople gather around the ship and wave. Triton and Ariel's mersisters smile and wave. Scuttle brings Flounder up to the side of the ship. Scuttle flaps away and winks. Ariel kisses him and pats Scuttle's head. On the wedding cake, Sebastian sits between two cake toppers of Ariel and Eric. He hugs them, smiling tearfully. Suddenly, he sees Louis raising a knife over him. He jumps off and the chef cuts the cake in half. He scampers down the walkway as Louis throws a knife at him and chases him around the deck. Sebastian snips a rope with his claw and a wooden beam swings into Louis' face. His teeth fall out and he collapses. Sebastian jumps into the water between Scuttle and Flounder.]

Sebastian: Yes, [bowing] Thank you, thank you.

[On the ship, Ariel looks over the railing at her father. A fountain of water raises him up and they hug.]

Ariel: I love you, Daddy.

[Behind them, Eric bows to King Triton. Triton nods. Touching Ariel's cheek, Triton returns to the water. Ariel blows him a kiss. Eric steps up and Ariel slips her arm through his.]

Chorus: Now we can walk / Now we can run /Now we can stay all day in the sun / Just you and me / And I can be / Part of your world / Ah-ah-ah-ah / Ah-ah-ah / Ah-ah-ah, ah

[In the water, Triton sweeps his trident in the air, forming a sparkling rainbow in the sky. The merpeople wave as the ship sails off and they dive below the water. Ariel and Eric kiss.]

["Under the Sea" and the Main Titles music plays as credits roll]

Sebastian: The seaweed is always greener / In somebody else's lake / You dream about going up there / But that is a big mistake / Just look at the world around you / Right here on the ocean floor / Such wonderful things surround you / What more is you lookin' for? / Under the sea / Under the sea / Darling it's better / Down where it's wetter / Take it from me / Up on the shore they work all day / Out in the sun they slave away / While we devotin' / Full time to floatin' / Under the sea

Sebastian and Blue Crab: Down here all the fish is happy / As off through the waves they roll / The fish on the land ain't happy

Sebastian: They sad 'cause they in their bowl (a fish is seen in a bubble) / But fish in the bowl is lucky / They in for a worser fate / One day when the boss get hungry

Deep Voice Fish: Guess who's gon' be on the plate?

Sebastian: Oh, no, under the sea / Under the sea / Nobody beat us / Fry us and eat us / In fricassee / We what the land folks loves to cook / Under the sea we off the hook / We got no troubles / Life is the bubbles / Under the sea (under the sea) / Under the sea (under the sea) / Since life is sweet here / We got the beat here / Naturally (naturally) / Even the sturgeon and the ray / They get the urge 'n' start to play / We got the spirit / You got to hear it / Under the sea / The newt play the flute / The carp play the harp / The plaice play the bass / And they soundin' sharp / The bass play the brass / The chub play the tub / The fluke is the duke of soul / (Yeah) / The ray he can play / The lings on the strings / The trout rockin' out / The blackfish she sings / The smelt and the sprat / They know where it's at / And oh that blowfish blow / Yeah, under the sea (under the sea) / Under the sea (under the sea) / When the sardine / Begin the beguine / It's music to me (it's music to me) / What do they got? A lot of sand / We got a hot crustacean band / Each little clam here / Know how to jam here / Under the sea / Each little slug here / Cuttin' a rug here / Under the sea / Each little snail here / Know how to wail here / That's why it's hotter / Under the water / Ya we in luck here / Down in the muck here / Under the sea!

Songs

Daughters of Triton

King Triton's Daughters: Oh, we are the daughters of Triton

Great father who loves us and named us well

Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, Andrina and Ariel

In concert we hope to enlighten

The heart of the merfolk

With music's swell

Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, Andrina

And then there is the youngest in her musical debut

Our seventh little sister, we're presenting her to you

To sing a song Sebastian wrote

Her voice is like a bell

She's our sister, Ari--

King Triton: ARIEL!!!

Part of Your World

Ariel: Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl,

The girl who has everything?

Look at this trove, treasures untold,

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here you'd think,

'Sure, she's got everything.

I've got gizmos and gadgets aplenty,

I've got whozits and whatzits galore

You want thingamabobs?

I've got plenty

But who cares?

No big deal

I want more

Part of Your World Reprise

Ariel: What would I give to live where you are?

What would I pay, to stay here beside you?

What would I do to see you smiling at me?

Where would we walk?

Where would we run?

If we could stay all day in the sun

Just you and me

And I could be

Part of your world

I don't know when

I don't know how

But I know something's starting right now

Watch and you'll see

Someday I'll be

Part of your world

Under the Sea

Sebastian: Ariel, listen to me. The human world, it's a mess. Life under the sea is better than anything they got up there!

[sings] The seaweed is always greener

In somebody else's lake,

You dream about going up there,

But that is a big mistake.

Just look at the world around you,

Right here on the ocean floor.

Such wonderful things around you.

What more is you lookin' for?

Under the Sea, under the sea.

Darlin', it's better, down where it's wetter.

Take it from me.

Up on the shore, they work all day.

Out in the sun they slave away,

While we devoting full time to floating

Under the sea.

Down here all the fish is happy,

As off through the waves they roll

The fish on the land ain't happy,

They sad 'cause they in their bowl

The fish in the bowl is lucky,

They in for a worser fate

One day when the boss gets hungry,

Guess who's gonna be on the plate?

Poor Unfortunate Souls

Ursula: The only way to get what you want is to become a human yourself.

Ariel: Can you do that?

Ursula: My dear sweet child, that's what I do. It's what I live for, to help unfortunate merfolk, like yourself. Poor souls with no one else to turn to.

[sings] I admit that in the past I've been a nasty.

They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch.

But you'll find that nowadays,

I've mended all my ways,

Repented, seen the light and made a switch.

True? Yes!

And I fortunately know a little magic,

It's a talent that I always have possessed.

And here lately, please don't laugh,

I use it on behalf

Of the miserable, lonely, and depressed--

Pathetic!

Poor unfortunate souls,

In pain, in need.

This one longing to be thinner,

That one wants to get the girl,

And do I help them? Yes, indeed!

Les Poissons

Louis: Les poissons, les poissons

How I love les poissons

Love to chop up and to serve little fish

First I cut off their heads

Then I pull out their bones

Ah, mais oui, ça c'est

Toujours délice.

Kiss the Girl

Sebastian: Percussion, strings, winds, words...

There you see her

Sitting there across the way

She don't got a lot to say

But there's something about her

And you don't know why

But you're dying to try

You wanna kiss the girl

Vanessa's Song

Ariel's voice:

What a lovely little bride I'll make, my dear, I'll look divine.

Things are working out according to my ultimate design.

Soon I'll have that little mermaid and the ocean will be mine!!

Cast (voices)

Jodi Benson — Sea Princess Ariel
Christopher Daniel Barnes — Prince Captain Eric
Kenneth Mars — Sea King Triton
Pat Carroll — Sea Professor Ursula the Sea Witch/Princess Vanessa
Samuel E. Wright — Maestro Horatio Thelonius Ignacius Crustaceus Sebastian Crab
Patricia Parris — Cleo
Buddy Hackett — Scuttle Seagull
Jason Marin — Vice Maestro Flounder
Ben Wright — Sir Grimsby
René Auberjonois — Chef Louis
Edie McClurg — Madame Carlotta
Kimmy Robertson — Sea Princess Alana, Sea Princess Adella, Sea Princess Arista, Sea Princess Andrina
Caroline Vasicek — Sea Princess Attina, Sea Princess Aquata
Paddi Edwards — Flotsam and Jetsam Eel

Taglines

Somewhere under the sea and beyond your imagination is an adventure in fantasy.
Love has no boundaries.

About The Little Mermaid (1989 film)

When we first proposed it, we knew that it was going to be really, really challenging. I mean, for a lot of reasons. But one of the big reasons is two-thirds of the movie takes place underwater. All that requires a lot of animation in this animated films. We have character animation. The artist who animate the characters. They’re kind of like actors. We always felt they are actors with a pencil. Glen Keane and Mark Henn who did Ariel. That’s what they do. Then, we have effects animators. Effects animators do the non-character stuff that moves which is like water waves or bubbles. Or fire or smoke or light effects, if there’s anything that moves that isn’t the character. This probably had more character animation than any Disney movie project since “Fantasia.” This really had a lot of effects, even with the character stuff — like whenever Ariel is underwater, her hair has to move all the time. Hair moving underwater is tricky. We had a lot of meetings about hair. One of the extras in the video is some of the live action footage that we shot for reference to see the hair floating.

Ron Clements [1]

You see at the heart of it, “The Little Mermaid” is the father-daughter story. It’s an overprotective father. There’s a daughter who is kind of adventurous and rebellious and wanting to see a new world. How do they resolve that? That story is still in place today.

John Musker [2]

External links

Wikipedia

Wikipedia has an article about:

The Little Mermaid (1989 film)

The Little Mermaid quotes at the Internet Movie Database


Feature films	Animated	The Little Mermaid (1989) · Return to the Sea (2000) · Ariel's Beginning (2008)
	Live action	The Little Mermaid (2023)