Babe (1995)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Chris Noonan

Writers:

Dick King-Smith (novel)
George Miller (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

4 August 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

A little pig goes a long way.

Plot:

Babe, a pig raised by sheepdogs, learns to herd sheep with a little help from Farmer Hoggett.

Plot Keywords:

Pig | Farmer | Sheep | Sheepdog | Dog

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 17 wins & 17 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. July 14	9:30 AM	HBO
Sat. July 18	12:00 PM	HBO
Wed. July 22	12:00 PM	HBO

Cast

Christine Cavanaugh	...	Babe the Gallant Pig (voice)
Miriam Margolyes	...	Fly the Female Sheepdog (voice)
Danny Mann	...	Ferdinand the Duck (voice)
Hugo Weaving	...	Rex the Male Sheepdog (voice)
Miriam Flynn	...	Maa the Very Old Ewe (voice)
Russi Taylor	...	Dutchess the Cat (voice) (as Russie Taylor)
Evelyn Krape	...	Old Ewe (voice)
Michael Edward-Stevens	...	Horse (voice)
Charles Bartlett	...	Cow (voice)
Paul Livingston	...	Rooster in Stall (voice)
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Narrator (voice)
James Cromwell	...	Farmer Arthur Hoggett
Magda Szubanski	...	Mrs. Esme Hoggett
Zoe Burton	...	Daughter
Paul Goddard	...	Son-in-Law

Also Known As:

Babe, the Gallant Pig

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Canada:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Belgium:KT | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (bw) | Hong Kong:I | Iceland:L | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:G (certificate #33880) | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Country, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Kennedy Miller Productions

Trivia:

The man who buys three of Fly's puppies is head animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The sheep refer to the dogs and Babe as wolves. The story takes place in Australia where wolves are not found. They would instead fear dingoes.

Quotes:

Fly: [solemnly] Rex? I know it was hard for you today, watching all that happening. But surely it's not worth all this misery. Please, dear, not on such a beautiful night.
Rex the Male Sheepdog: [furiously] You put these ideas into his head, two-faced traitorous *wretch*!!
[Rex attacks Fly]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nanny: The Bird's Nest (#4.3)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Jingle Bells

Disarmingly charming and wonderful

Babe is separated from his family and becomes friends with some of the animals on his new farm. He learns that each animal has a role to play and that both he and Ferdinand the duck are fated to be lunch! Both take new roles to escape their fate and Babe tries to become a sheepdog. As Farmer Hoggett begins to notice the unusual way Babe can work with the sheep he begins to groom him for that role – much to the worry of his wife and the other farm animals.

Written by the guy who wrote the Mad Max films – that's what kills me. I know it's adapted but how can the Mad Max writer manage to deliver such a sweet film that is unassuming and comic and heart warming. The plot is great as it is adapted from `The Sheeppig' but Miller's script adds so many comic touches that it's funny throughout. The characters are all well written so that we care about them and get easily drawn in.

It's directed well and again feels fresh and different – whether it's the chapter set up or the use of the narrator or the way that the singing mice make the links it all works well. Because it is gentle and unassuming I found myself involved in it so easily and the themes of finding your own path and friendship are not rammed down your throat but just sit there if you want to get them. I've seen this several times and the silent, wonderful climax to the sheepdog trials makes me choke everytime (even if it is predictable).

All the voices are good and the use of animals is faultless. The use of animatronics is a little ropey at times but the sense of goodwill the film gave me extended to overlooking these minor complaints. James Cromwell is just superb as the human face in this drama – everytime I see him now I can only hear him say `that'll do pig'. Babe is a great hero and you feel for him from the start to the end – when he gives a little satisfied sigh it's difficult not to feel warm inside.

Overall this is one of the best children's films I've seen – it's light and unassuming and not a classic but it is comic, gentle and ultimately heart warming – what more do you want?