I, myself, was also exposed to the movie at a young age, but unlike the person in the comment above, I fell in love with the story. It is the real story, the one that Hans Christan Anderson wrote, and intended people to hear. I think a story with struggles, heartbreak, and even a sad ending is one that stays with you longer, you think about it more, it means more to you. Now, you can think what you want, but the blood, violence, nudity, dying, it makes the story, and it is a story that has touched my heart, much more than any cheesy Disney tale, which is why I am so distraught that my VHS has broke on me after all these years. I need another copy ASAP!!!

When I first saw this film, back in 1989(?) I thought it was the Disney version. Then I watched it and saw how different it was from what Disney had done. I had always read the original story, and this was a great representation of it. And since I have been an anime' fan since I was five (1984, people!) The style of animation appealed to me. The song that Marina sings for her father and grandmother was so melancholy and haunting that it always stuck with me. The fact that they did not try to cover the mermaids with "seashell bras" was cool too. Even though it was a "children's film" it had a mature feel that was unlike anything Disney could HOPE to achieve. I recently found this movie on DVD and snapped it up for *my* daughter to watch. Good stuff, man. Classic.

This movie was great I literally cried at the end when Marina turned to foam. I feel bad for Fritz the most because he lost his best friend in the world *TEAR*. And when she gave up her voice someone she loved who was forced to marry someone he thought saved him but she didn't it was all Marina. If I was Marina I wouldn't have gave up my voice and left the sea for a man who I don't know anything about. Also her sisters were very heartfelt and brave to give their hair to the sea witch to try to save Marina. But I don't get how she can be happy dying instead of getting rid of the prince and returning to the sea. I guess that is what true love is all about. Marina is sweet and I think more people should be like her if everyone was the world would be a better place!

Wow! This was the best mermaid movie I have seen, although the animation, not the greatest! This was the absolute original story about the Little Mermaid. The Disney Version has a happy ending, and this one does too! Well its not Happy Happy for the viewer as much as for the main character- Marina! Well her sacrifice for him was the sweetest thing! "Her" happiness is "His" happiness. Awe! It melted my heart! Who would have thought self-sacrifice could be soo sweet and charming and soo beautiful! Romantic Suicide, but not just suicide. I loved this film soo much more than I did the Disney version. The music is so wonderful! I wish I could play the harp! and that song she plays is soo amazing. Wow! It gives me hope! Lots of it! How she could just jump like that into her own conscious mind and soul (the ocean-where she belongs)! My last words are...(speechless)