The Little Mermaid (1998 VHS)

Just after The Little Mermaid was re-released in U.S. theaters nationwide on November 14, 1997 (for only 17 days), Disney planned to re-release the film on VHS in THX-certified format. The video title was finally released on March 31, 1998. Almost a year after, along with the other titles in the Masterpiece Collection released for 1998, sales of this video title were stopped (as of January 31, 1999).

Release Date

March 31, 1998

Stock Number

12731

List Price

$26.99

Aspect Ratio

4:3 (Pan & Scan)

Format

T-120 (Standard Play, NTSC)

Audio

Dolby Surround

Language

English

Subtitles

English (Closed captioned)

Rating

G

Running Time

83 minutes

Print Date

February 11, 1998

Synopsis

All the music, fun, and excitement under the sea resurface in this magical, fully restored edition of Disney’s 28^th animated masterpiece. Awash with breathtaking animation, unforgettably colorful characters, and award-winning music, The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s most cherished films.

Ariel (the fun-loving and mischievous mermaid) is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father’s order to stay away from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the prince of her dreams. Determined to be human, she strikes a bargain with Ursula (the devious sea witch), and trades her fins and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friend, the adorable and chatty Flounder, and her reluctant chaperone Sebastian (the hilarious, reggae-singing Caribbean crab), at her side, Ariel must win the prince’s love and save her father’s kingdom — all in a heart-pounding race against time!

VHS Supplements

	Video	Creation date	Announcer
1	FBI green warning screens	November 4, 1997
2	Teaser trailer for Mulan	June 13, 1997
3	Teaser trailer for A Bug’s Life	November 14, 1997
4	Video trailer for Melody Time (1948)	March 3, 1998	Mark Elliott
5	Video preview for "The Spirit of Mickey"	March 31, 1998
6	Video trailer for "Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World"
7	Video trailer for Lady and the Tramp (1955)
8	Commercial for Disney’s Cruise Line
9	Commercial for "Disney’s One Saturday Morning" on ABC (U.S. release only)		Brian Cummings
10	(Feature presentation) bumper	April 10, 1992
11	THX logo (Lucasfilm Ltd. version)	August 29, 1995
12	(Full-screen format disclaimer)	January 21, 1994
13	The Little Mermaid (re-release)	November 17, 1989 November 14, 1997

Early copies have the narration for Jodi Benson saying "Like our friends in another Disney film coming this year" during the preview for A Bug’s Life.

Advertised on:

Theatrical release

1. Fun and Fancy Free (1997 VHS) (July 15, 1997)
2. Jungle 2 Jungle (1997 VHS) (July 29, 1997)
3. Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (August 5, 1997)
4. Mary Poppins (1997 VHS) (August 26, 1997)
5. Sleeping Beauty (1997 VHS) (September 16, 1997)
6. The Jungle Book (1997 VHS) (October 14, 1997)
7. How the Toys Saved Christmas (1997 VHS) (October 21, 1997)

1998 VHS

• Hercules (1998 VHS) (February 3, 1998)
• The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1998 VHS) (February 3, 1998)
• The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1998 VHS (February 3, 1998)
• The Barefoot Executive (1998 VHS) (February 3, 1998)
• The Strongest Man in the World (1998 VHS) (February 3, 1998)
• Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1998 VHS) (February 10, 1998)
• Oliver Twist (1998 VHS) (February 10, 1998)
• Belle's Magical World (1998 VHS) (February 17, 1998)
• Peter Pan (1998 VHS) (March 3, 1998)
• That Darn Cat! (1998 VHS) (March 17, 1998)

 1999 VHS

1. The Rescuers (1999 VHS)

2000 VHS

1. Mulan (2000 VHS) (February 1, 2000)
2. An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000 VHS) (February 29, 2000)
3. Winnie the Pooh: Sing a Song with Tigger (2000 VHS) (March 7, 2000)
4. The Aristocats (2000 VHS) (April 4, 2000)
5. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (2000 VHS) (October 3, 2000)
6. The Black Cauldron (2000 VHS) (October 3, 2000)
7. The Nightmare Before Christmas (2000 VHS) (October 3, 2000)
8. James and the Giant Peach (2000 VHS) (October 3, 2000)