≡
Check out Curiosities
Test your Knowledge on a Quiz
Compete on Challenge Prizes
Ariel
The Technical Challenge by Trás do Vestido
The final scene of The Little Mermaid (1989), where Ariel appears in a dazzling silver dress, is one of the most striking and technically challenging scenes in animation. The glitter effect on the dress was created entirely by hand, frame by frame, requiring meticulous work by the animators. At the time, digital techniques were not yet widely used, which made this scene an impressive feat.
Every inch of the dress was carefully lit to create a magical and ethereal effect, reinforcing the fairytale tone of the film. The soft glow of the fabric symbolizes Ariel's definitive transformation into a human and her new beginning with Prince Eric.
In addition to its technical complexity, the scene stands out visually, being considered one of the most beautiful in the film. The effort of the animation team resulted in an iconic moment that continues to enchant generations of fans. Ariel's silver dress became unforgettable and is still remembered today as one of Disney's most magical costumes.
The Impact of Ariel's Red Hair
Ariel's iconic red hair in The Little Mermaid (1989) was a revolutionary choice in the world of animation. The decision to give the protagonist vibrant locks was made to differentiate her from the mermaid in the film Splash (1984), who had blonde hair. The creators wanted to avoid any similarities between the characters, ensuring that Ariel had a unique visual identity.
In addition to the aesthetic impact, the reddish tone was a technical challenge for Disney animators. Working with red hair underwater required innovation in coloring and movement techniques, as the hue could be lost in the underwater scenes.
At the time, there was also debate about audience acceptance, as many mermaids in popular culture were portrayed as blondes. However, the bold choice paid off, making Ariel one of Disney's most memorable princesses. Her vibrant red hair became a trademark of the character and inspired several adaptations over the years.
Choose a Quiz Challenge
Discover some interesting facts about Ariel
Rare Representation of Left-Handed Characters
Ariel, the protagonist of The Little Mermaid (1989), is one of the few Disney princesses portrayed as left-handed. This unusual characteristic was incorporated into the animation due to the character's original voice actress, Jodi Benson, who is also left-handed.
Disney animators often draw inspiration from the voice actors' traits to give more authenticity to the characters. In the case of Ariel, her facial expressions and even gestures were based on Jodi Benson during filming. As a result, Ariel was drawn writing and holding objects with her left hand, something rare among animated protagonists.
This attention to detail made the mermaid even more unique among Disney princesses, helping to reinforce her spontaneous and authentic personality. The choice also created identification among left-handed viewers, who rarely see main characters sharing this characteristic.
Unusual Inspiration Behind Úrsula
The iconic villain Ursula, from The Little Mermaid (1989), had her appearance and mannerisms strongly inspired by the drag queen Divine, a prominent figure in the underground scene of the 70s and 80s. Known for her exaggerated style, dramatic makeup and irreverent personality, Divine directly influenced Disney animators in the creation of the feared Sea Witch.
The idea came from character designer Howard Ashman, who was also one of the people responsible for the film's music. He wanted Ursula to have a striking presence, one that would combine humor and menace at the same time. Thus, Divine's striking features were incorporated, from her voluminous hairstyle to her heavy facial expression and mocking way of speaking.
Despite the strong influence of the drag queen, Divine died in 1988, before the film's release, and never got to see her animated version. However, her legacy lives on in the character, who became one of Disney's most iconic villains.
The original story of The Little Mermaid
The original story of The Little Mermaid, written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, has notable differences from the Disney version. In the tale, the protagonist is not called Ariel, but simply "Little Mermaid", and the names Eric and Ursula do not exist, being only "Prince" and "Sea Witch". In addition, the king has six daughters, not seven, and the mermaid's grandmother plays an important role, teaching her granddaughters about humans.
The Little Mermaid's passion for the prince arises after she saves him from a shipwreck, but there is no rivalry between the underwater kingdom and humans. At the age of 15, she is allowed to visit the surface, but, unlike her sisters, she does not lose interest in the terrestrial world. To become human and win the prince, she turns to the Sea Witch, who demands a cruel price: in addition to losing her voice, her tongue is cut out. Her transformation is painful, and each step is like stepping on sharp blades. Unlike the film, there is no three-day deadline or kiss of love, just the mission to make him fall in love before he chooses another.
The ending is tragic: the prince marries another woman, and the mermaid receives a dagger to kill him and regain her original form. Unable to do so, she throws herself into the sea and turns into foam. However, instead of disappearing, she becomes a "daughter of the air", a spirit who helps humans.
Back