Faerie Tale Theatre {The Little Mermaid (1987)

TRUE LOVE REQUIRES TRUE SACRIFICE IN FAITHFUL VERSION OF POIGNANT AND BITTERSWEET STORY

"Faerie Tale Theatre" productions are sometimes scary ("HANSEL & GRETEL") and often hilarious ("LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD", "THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA"). Rarely are they as touching and as poignant as this version of
"THE LITTLE MERMAID," directed by Robert Iscove from a teleplay by Anne Beatts.
You won't find any Disneyfied sea creatures singing a Broadway musical number under the sea; or a tacked-on Disney "happy ending" here. What we do have is a beautiful, live-action version that is faithful and true to Hans Christian Anderson's original bittersweet fairy tale.
The cast is superb. Pam Dawber's role as little mermaid Pearl, who sacrifices everything for the love of Sailor/Prince Andrew (the extremely attractive Treat Williams), is largely mute. So she must communicate her emotions mostly with just her eyes and face. The depth of sadness and despair she conveys in the face of unrequited love is truly heart-breaking.
Brian Dennehy is Pearl's father King Neptune, and also serves as Narrator. Loraine Newman and Donna McKechnie are featured as Pearl's sisters Coral and Anemone. Karen Black makes a memorable cameo appearance as the Sea Witch who begs Pearl not to sacrifice everything for the love of Andrew. "Trust me," she says, "no guy is worth it. Love is a disease that only humans catch. And once you've caught it, you can never be rid of it." The Sea Witch also tells her that when she walks on human legs, she will feel a pain like walking on knives. Nevertheless, she is prepared to endure anything. Unfortunately, although he cares for her, Andrew's heart belongs to Princess Amelia (Oscar winner Helen Mirren). Given a final opportunity to save herself, Pearl still can not and will not betray her beloved; teaching us that true love often requires truly tragic sacrifices. I actually cry every time I watch this. July 3, 2007

I may look like your mother's bridge partner, but I assure you that I am a witch!

I don't need a singing crab, or barbie-esque animation to enjoy a faerie tale. Anyone who would compare the pioneering efforts of Shelley Duvall's faerie tale theatre to a Disney film is seriously beyond my comprehension.

I found this episode delightful as an eight-year-old boy, and I find it delightful 20 years later. Karen Black truly amazes as the sea witch. Her precious few minutes onscreen make it worth purchasing the disc. As for the rest of the cast, they all performed rather effectively in my opinion. I am anxiously awaiting the entire set. November 1, 2006

Good for a movie made in the 80's

In response to M. Reinking's review, I agree that Disney's The Little Mermaid was the best Little Mermaid movie. And the quality of the acting and etc. of the Faerie Tale Theatre version is a little sad, but it was made in the 80's..or early early 90's...
Also, she did become a Spirit of the Air in the original Hans Christian Anderson story...because she spared the Prince's life. So I value this version of the story, because it's the first (and so far, only) true version of the actual story. I think that's what was good about all the Faerie Tale Theater movies. Also, if anyone happens to know...there was a bunch of fairy tales that used to show on the Disney Channel. Does anyone know what those were called? Please, let me know... January 20, 2005

One of the better episodes

QUOTED FROM M REINKING -""One also must note the ending, which tries to change the sad ending of the original fairy tale where the Mermaid turns into seafoam, and that's the end of that. But here, they make her a "Spirit of the Air", so she can watch over her Prince. Blah. A bad ending to a bad film.""

M. Reinking obviously did not read the original story by Hans Anderson. Yes the mermaid did start to turn to sea foam, but that was not the end of that. in the book she was transformed into a "Daughter of the Air" and given a second chance at obtaining an eternal soul. So M Reinking doesn't even know what they are talking about.

As for the film, Yes, the special effects would be laughed at by kids today spoiled with amazing looking films like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Where the film still stands strong though is in the story and performances by Pam Dawber, Treat Williams and the always admirable Helen Mirren. Shelly Duvall did a great service for kids in the 80's with her series of Faerie Tale Theaters. Sure today we have films and series of better quality but I would hope that everyone who grew up with these can still appriciate them the way they did when they were kids. December 11, 2004

a true FAERIE TALE THEATRE classic

FAERIE TALE THEATRE's touching and tender recreation of THE LITTLE MERMAID (the second-last in the series) is one of their best efforts.

Pearl (Pam Dawber) is a beautiful young mermaid who lives with her father King Neptune (Brian Dennehy) and her sisters Coral and Anemonie (Donna McKechnie and Laraine Newman) in a kingdom at the bottom of the ocean. When Pearl comes of age and is allowed a brief glimpse of the world above the sea, she falls in love with a handsome Prince (Treat Williams) whom she saves from drowning when his ship has a fatal explosion.

She makes a bargain with the Sea Witch (Karen Black): her voice in exchange for a pair of legs and hopefully the love of the Prince. Once on land Pearl quickly returns to the Prince, though he only has eyes for the lovely Princess Emilia (Helen Mirren).

What follows is a heartbreaking story of selfless love and sacrifice, as Pearl risks everything for true love...

Pam Dawber leads a strong cast. Karen Black is amazing as the Sea Witch; Newman and McKechnie are a delight as Pearl's sisters and Treat Williams fills the role of the Prince admirably. A true gem in the series November 7, 2004

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