<Ul> <Li> United States </Li> <Li> Australia </Li> <Li> Japan </Li> <Li> Philippines </Li> </Ul> <Tr> <Th> Language </Th> <Td> English </Td> </Tr> <P> The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (also known as The Little Mermaid III) is a 2008 American direct - to - video animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and DisneyToon Studios, and a prequel to Disney's 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid . Directed by Peggy Holmes, the film's story is set before the events of the original film, when Ariel is still young, and where all music has been banned from the underwater kingdom of Atlantica by King Triton, and Ariel attempts to challenge this law . The film features the voices of Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Sally Field, and Jim Cummings . Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released the film on August 26, 2008 . Animation production of the film was by Toon City Animation, Inc., Manila, Philippines, supervising clean - up character lead animators May Laxamana, Alain Tagpuno, Buddy Maderazo, Adelfo Manao, Walt Disney Animation (Japan), Inc., as Walt Disney Animation Australia by 2008, unit director Pieter Lommerse, workbook supervisor Stephen Lumley, clean - up director David Hardy, inbetween director Miles Jenkinson, effects director Marvin Petilla, supervising color stylist Jenny North and Aaron Stannard . The film contradicts certain events of the television series, implying that it is an independent installment of Disney's The Little Mermaid franchise . It is the last animated feature from Disney Animation Australia before it was closed down . </P> <P> King Triton and his wife, Queen Athena, rule over the underwater kingdom of Atlantica, filled with music and laughter . They have seven young daughters: Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, Alana, and the youngest of whom is Ariel . One day, the merpeople relax in a lagoon above water, and Triton gives Athena a music box . However, a pirate ship approaches . Everyone escapes except Athena, who is crushed to death by the ship when she tries to rescue the music box . Devastated by the death of his wife, Triton throws the music box away, and music is banned from Atlantica, forever . </P>

When was the little mermaid ariel's beginning made