Babe Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
A little pig goes a long way.
Farmer Hoggett wins a runt piglet at a local fair and young Babe, as the piglet decides to call himself, befriends and learns about all the other creatures on the farm. He becomes special friends with one of the sheepdogs, Fly. With Fly's help, and Farmer Hoggett's intuition, Babe embarks on a career in sheepherding with some surprising and spectacular results.
| Christine Cavanaugh | Babe the Gallant Pig |
| Miriam Margolyes | Fly the Female Sheepdog |
| Danny Mann | Ferdinand the Duck |
| Hugo Weaving | Rex the Male Sheepdog |
| Miriam Flynn | Maa the Very Old Ewe |
| Russi Taylor | Dutchess the Cat |
| Evelyn Krape | Old Ewe |
| Michael Edward-Stevens | Horse |
| Charles Bartlett | Cow |
| Paul Livingston | Rooster in Stall |
| Roscoe Lee Browne | Narrator |
| James Cromwell | Farmer Arthur Hoggett |
| Magda Szubanski | Mrs. Esme Hoggett |
| Zoe Burton | Daughter |
| Paul Goddard | Son-in-Law |
| Chris Noonan |
7.30 out of 10 (27138 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Superfluid Editing
posted on 31 Jul 2009The theme of this film is supported through its use of editing: Placing yourself in new and sometimes uncomfortable situations has the potential to increase your growth at exponential rates. Although these situations will seem dark, fearful and sometimes confusing, there are great rewards of success for those that are willing to take the risks.In the beginning when Babe is separated from his family, there is a great use of continuity and parallel editing that heightens the story's theme. Factory workers are shown stuffing Babe into a black sack while he squeals with terror. The diegetic sounds of the squeals fluidly blend to the next shot which is of a group of children screaming with terror on a carnival ride. Both instances reflect a sense of newness and its accompaniment of fear. Babe is fearful of his current and uncomfortable situation—being placed into a black sack. The children are fearful of their current and fearful situation—being on a potentially dangerous carnival ride. Both will end up growing as a result of these situations: Babe will travel to a farm where the friends he meets there will change his life for the better; the children will receive an increase in their satisfaction in having overcome the fearful ride.The story of the film is told through the use of chapters and voice-over narrations. In fact, it's told in the style of a children's book. This editing choice helps the viewer understand the newness of each scene, where the plot is heading, the risks involved with the characters, and cues that support the story's main theme. There is great use of cross-cutting that helps heighten the suspense in one particular sketch titled, "Crime and Punishment." In this scene, Babe takes the risk of sneaking into the Hoggett home while they are away at church. His purpose is to steal an alarm clock to help out a friend, Ferdinand the duck (one who thinks he's a rooster). Cross-cuts are shown between Babe inside the house attempting not to wake the sleeping guard cat, and Ferdinand outside the window shaking with terror in hopes that he will succeed. The editing here is very fast-paced and almost meticulously acrobatic. With the yarn and paint Babe inevitably knocks over, the suspended edits drawn up to that point are very nerve-racking. The spatial and temporal setting of the shots between where Babe is, compared to where Ferdinand is helps support this anxiety for the viewer—thus drawing them further into the story. This scene helps demonstrate not only the risks Babe undertakes as well as the uncomfortable situation he is in, but also represents the success he achieves in making a new friend.Minimal ellipsis is used throughout the film's entirety to help keep the pacing alive and flowing. In one particular scene where farmer Hoggett is rebuilding a broken fence, he begins by picking up the busted rail and the shot immediately cuts to him hammering it down into the ground as he wipes the sweat from his brow (a cue to the viewer that not only time has passed, but also that he is tired from his efforts). The greatest use of suspended editing is in the very last scene. As Babe overcomes his fears and demonstrates his abilities to be a successful sheep-pig amongst hundreds of spectators, the music completely dissipates—leaving the viewer with no sounds other than the ambiance. The temporal and spatial setting is exploited through a variety of scenes to heighten the suspense: the crowd, Babe and the sheep, farmer Hoggett, and Mrs. Hoggett watching on TV. When the gate closes behind Babe and the sheep, the crowd immediately cheers with ecstasy. The way this scene is edited through its use of silence and then intense noise helps kill the anticipation and brings a sense of success and satisfaction to the viewer as well as the characters in the story.
You got me,Babe.
posted on 22 Jul 2009When I first saw"Babe" I didn't go home and empty my fridge of meat.I still eat bacon sandwiches,I did not become a vegetarian - Hitler was a vegetarian for heaven's sake.I do not believe that animals have equal rights with human beings - do we give out of work guide dogs Unemployment Benefit?I do not inhabit some anthropomorphic fantasy world where we romp with our four legged friends by sparkling mountain streams - in short,I am a relatively normal well-balanced person not particularly susceptible to having my emotions tweaked by a film about a piglet that takes over the duties of an ageing sheep dog in order to avoid being slaughtered. Why then,do the three words "That'll do pig" cause a not unpleasant tingling sensation at the top of my nose and my vision to mist over?An effect not dissimilar to crying,dammit? That of course is the magic of the movies.The reason we go to the pictures in the first place,the reason we send posts to this site. Regardless of your eating habits "Babe"either gets to you or it doesn't. From the scene in the darkened barn where a gleaming black lorry takes Babe's mother to the slaughterhouse to the moment of his final triumph at the sheepdog trial I was enthralled.I found the Greek Chorus of mice quite charming,but they're too small to be fully appreciated on TV. James Cromwell is outstanding as Farmer Hoggett,there is no sense that he is appearing in a film about a talking pig,he is dead serious about his role and consequently totally believable.One smirk,one half;closed eyelid directed towards the camera and it would all come crashing down.
Great movie for everyone
posted on 16 Jul 2009I went to see the movie because critics were praising it, but with some mixed expectations. I mean, on the one hand, it got very good reviews and it was from Australia, but on the other hand, it was a movie about a pig that ends up working as a sheep dog! In the end I was very pleased with this movie rather unique capability to be equally interesting for the children as well as for the adults. On the "children level" the story is rather simple: little polite orphan, pig Babe, lives happily on the farm with his various animal friends and a good master, does a valuable job and makes his master and all of his friends proud. Talking animals and singing mice are hardly an innovating idea, and this all sounds, more or less, like any other infantile children's cartoon that's interesting only if you're under 6. On the "adult level" things are rather different. It's a black comedy that raises serious questions. I cannot believe how many people describe this movie as "magical" or even "innocent"! From the beginning of the movie, when Babe thinks his mother and all of his brothers and sisters are going to "Pig's heaven", as everyone says, when in fact they are taken to be slaughtered, move is full of such black humour, including Mrs. Hoggett calling Babe "my little pork-chop", and farmer Hoggett wanting to kill Babe because he thinks that Babe is so much like a sheep dog that he could kill a sheep! And the fact that our beloved Christmas is a question of life or death for our little friend Babe, decision depending on this dilemma: "Pork-chops or duck d'orange?" Don't you get the irony? Well, I haven't seen "Babe: PINC" yet, but I intend to do so, as soon as it starts playing. And if it were darker than first Babe is, and everyone says so, I would think it's only natural. I mean, if idyllic life on the farm gave place for so much black humour, one can only imagine things that could happen in a big city.
even family films can be well done
posted on 01 Jul 2009"Babe" seems like the sort of movie that could come out mind-numbingly sappy. But they did a very good job with it. Portraying a pig becoming a sheep herder, one gets a look into the world as seen by farm animals. Probably the most perceptive aspect was the part about why sheep think that all dogs are wolves. As someone who usually takes no stock in movies like this, I definitely recommend this movie. And above all, this movie showed what a great actor James Cromwell is. Also featuring the voice of Hugo Weaving (of "The Matrix" and "V for Vendetta" fame). Check it out.Bah-ram everyone!
Simple and Outrageously Funny
posted on 13 Jun 2009There are images from this film that will stay in my mind forever.
Particularly, the ending--perfectly executed, cinematically elegant, outrageously funny, and simple. It has the message of "thinking outside the lines" written all over it. The first few times I saw it I teared up near the end. What a great movie.
Don't let it's G rating deter you--this is a masterpiece of comedy, of fable, of modern special effects-driven to simplicity. A miracle film.
Clever, Cute, Funny and Moving
posted on 01 Jun 2009Clever, cute, funny and even occasionally moving is this tale of a little pig who wants to be a sheepdog. Animal wranglers and Jim Henson's creature shop both outdo themselves with some fantastic work. All the critters on farmer Hoggatt's property are expertly handled, while Henson creates amazingly lifelike puppets for the utterly convincing close up shots.Producer George Miller's decade long struggle to bring Dick King-Smith's novel "The Sheep-Pig" to the screen ended in the hands of director Chris Noonan. A first time feature director, Noonan's film is entertaining though a trifle drawn out, making it a fraction over long for the little ones. Perhaps Noonan and Miller (co-screenwriters for "Babe") were guilty of a small amount of over indulgence, or maybe some astute editing was required. Also, a few scenes, especially one involving a vicious dog fight, may prove too upsetting for very young children.Noonan has done a good job at the helm over all, and has been sure to give his movie a very realistic look. The script is amiable and simple, with much incisive, appreciable humour that is really geared for adult viewers. The finale, though predictable, is still a rousing and most effective one.As I've mentioned, all the technical support is outstanding, especially animal expert Karl Lewis Miller's handling of the hundreds of farm creatures, and Jim Henson and co's creative genius in bringing to life some of the most incredible computer animatronics.On camera actors James Cromwell and Magda Szubanski definitely take second billing behind the real stars of the show. As farmer Hoggatt, Cromwell is likable, but has little (apart from a lively jig) to do. Magda, as his dutiful wife, is merely background. Off camera acting is performed by an array of popular thesps who all do very well. Christine Cavanaugh gives voice to "Babe", Miriam Margoyles is his adoptive mum "Fly" and Hugo Weaving provides vocals for champion sheep dog "Rex". Miriam Flynn (as "Maa") and Russie Taylor ("Cat") also chip in, while Roscoe Lee Brown narrates."Babe" has swept the world in an unprecedented wave of popularity, breaking box office records and picking up several awards (including seven Academy Award nominations). In the U.K. it has been named among the Top Ten films of 1995, while in the good ole U.S. of A. it has caused a massive drop in pork sales, with people quoted as saying "No, we don't eat "Babe""! An enjoyable oddity.Tuesday, December 26, 1995 - Greater Union Melbourne
THE BEST MOVIE FEATURING ANIMALS...
posted on 29 May 2009...ever!When I first heard about Babe, I said to myself : Oh no, not another "animal-can-talk" type of movie, such as crappy Beethoven or Look who's talking 2. But after I saw it, I was speechless. I haven't seen something so sweet and touchy (without being corny) coming from this kind of movies for a long time. Or ...never.What makes movie a masterpiece deserving mark 10 out of 10? A great story? Actors devoted to their roles? Scenography? Directing?All that, I guess. And beside outstanding acting from James Cromwell, Babe could be just one of the million movies playing with the people emotions. But luckily it isn't. It got something inside that made me looking at the pigs differently, after watching it. And this is the ability of true masterpieces. So that's why a... ...10 out of 10
A masterpiece of storytelling.
posted on 23 May 2009When I first saw the trailers for "Babe," I was skeptical that it would be any good. It looked too similar to "Gordy," a LOUSY talking pig film that was released earlier that same year. (I didn't actually see "Gordy," but the trailer told me everything I needed to know.) But after I heard favorable reviews from Siskel & Ebert, along with other local film critics, I decided to give it a try.I'm very glad I did. Prejudging "Babe" on the basis of "Gordy" is like deciding "Jaws" isn't any good based on "Anaconda." Chris Noonan does an outstanding job establishing character and pacing the action accordingly. (That's one of the reasons why George Miller's sequel isn't as good--you don't care much about the city animals and the action sequences look too rushed and disjointed.) What impresses me throughout this film is how Noonan effectively uses editing to build suspense--in the alarm clock sequence, the scene where Farmer Hoggett almost shoots Babe, and the finale at the sheepherding contest.It's rare to see an adult drama made this well and "Babe" is a film that should have won Best Picture. Unfortunately, the Academy's long standing prejudice against animated features also extends to live-action children films. (After all, The Wizard of Oz is a much better film than GWTW.) Thirty years from now will people still remember Mel Gibson's overrated epic, or this masterpiece? If there's any justice, "Babe" will become a modern classic like "Miracle on 34th Street" while "Braveheart" will be forgotten.ONE FINAL NOTE: While it was nice to see that Babe won at least one Academy award, it won the wrong one. Babe should have received the Best Editing award won by "Apollo 13" and "Apollo 13" should have received the Best Visual Effects award won by "Babe."
This little pig is big on charm
posted on 20 May 2009This along with The Wizzard of Oz and The Neverending Story are my favorite movies for kids that adults can love too. This is a charming original film from director Chris Noonan who really hasn't put much on the screen in his career but is currently working on three new films including Mrs. Potter starring Renée Zellweger as children's author Beatrix Potter which will bring his name back into prominence. Noonan co-wrote this script along with the film's producer George Miller based on the Dick King Smith novel. Babe was nominated for seven Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Art Direction, film editing, Effects and Screenplay and took home the Oscar for Best Effects. Jim Henson's Creature Shop creators did the animatronics for this. Andrew Lesnie who would go on to do the Lord of the Rings trilogy of films is the cinematographer. James Cromwell in his Academy Award nominated role as Best Actor is Farmer Hoggett and Magda Szubanski is great as his wife Mrs. Hoggett. Christine Cavanaugh who has done voices for animated TV shows The Rugrats, Dexter's Laboratory and The Critic among others is the voice of Babe the pig. This is a clever and sweet movie with lots of laughs too. I would give this a 9.0 on a scale of 10 and highly recommend it.
Wonderful movie for all
posted on 11 May 2009As it has been said before, this is a wonderful movie, and one that isn't *just* for children, though I am sure it does appeal to children. This film has a wonderful message of equality, love and all that fun stuff.I generally don't like those cutsie talking animal movies, but this is the exception. Be warned though, that while this movie is super it DOES have a darker side to it, and I feel that it addresses *some* of the issues regarding the meat industry and meat eating in general. I didn't eat any meat for a week afterwards. Anyway, this is a great movie that I think a number of people will enjoy. Besides, ya gotta love the singing mousies!
A real family movie
posted on 26 Apr 2009This movie is a true family movie. It's cute, nice and cheers you up. :) For young and old, I think this is a real nice movie to watch, preferably at a special occasion, like Christmas or something. Babe's real cute and I'm sure kids will like it. :) Just be sure not to give into the "dad I want a pig too!" thing ;)
Babe
posted on 17 Apr 2009My favorite movie is "Babe". It's heart-warming movie. This movie's main character is pig named Babe. He lives in farm with owner and many animals such as sheep, cattle, ducks, goats, dogs, cats and so on. The Babe's owner raise them very preciously and he is very kind for Babe and the others. They live peacefully and calmly everyday. One day, thieves come to the farm,and steel the sheep!! So,Babe and some animal friends try to help them. The owner is surprised at Babe's action,and praise Babe for the help. He think "What a clever and brave pig he is!!!" So, he decide that I bleed the babe who can treat the sheep. And then, he can treat them as he want. So, his owner decide to take part in the contest which choose who can treat the sheep. Can he get the championship!?? Check the ending!!! I recommend this movie. I think it's very heart-warming movie. And this movie's characters are very cute. So it makes me happy. I think animal lover must like this movie!!! In addition, this movie has another story of Babe. The title is "Babe-Pig in the City-". It funny and a little excited movie. I also like and recommend it!!! I think "Babe-Pig in the City-" is more excite than "Babe". So if you like excite movie, I recommend "Pig in the City".
This little piggy went to the Oscars.
posted on 05 Apr 2009My Take: The CITIZEN KANE of talking animal movies.For many years, BABE has been on the same line as THE WIZARD OF OZ and E.T., as a classic family film. It even made a runaway success in the box-office, charming audiences around the world in theaters back at 1995. It even made quite an impression in the Oscars being nominated even for Best Picture and 6 other Oscars (winning one for Best Special Effects, winning it fair-and-square from APOLLO 13). So with all the buzz that's still going on with BABE, is it really that great! For most parts, BABE still lives up to its title, "The little film that could".While it ain't quite as perfect as the films I've mentioned above, BABE still deserves its place as a classic family film choice. It's painted with creative storyline, interesting characters and simply delightful moments of joy, fear, sadness and sweet triumph. Sure, it's only an "Animals-can-talk" movie, but this is the smartest one to date, and still is. Before being bogged down into terribly mediocre films like RACING STRIPES, talking animal movies can actually potentially achieving as this one. The characters, both human and animals, are given a surprising depth. In the animals, of course, there's Babe (voiced by Christine Cavanaugh), a curious and benevolent piglet with a lot of kindness in his heart, yet must go through depression and sadness a the same. His life leaves little less value to humans, who doesn't see him more than just another feast for the Holiday season. That is, except for the compassionate farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell), the most valuable human character in the movie, who sees his talents as a pig who actually knows how to herd sheep (by talking to them respectively, no less).BABE maybe a straightforward children's film, but it no doubt still has power to charm any adult audience out there, thanks to its adult script, thankfully co-written by George "MAD MAX" Miller adapted from a novel by Dick King-Smith, and an especially endearing performance by the underrated James Cromwell as the farmer. The special effects too are worth mentioning, as they are a convincing alternation between animatronic creations and real, trained animals. But BABE will be best remembered, not as a technical marvel, but a clever and imaginative story. "That'll do." says the farmer. Enough said.Rating: ***** out of 5.
What could have been
posted on 23 Jan 2009This should have been the start of a fabulous series. The sequel is even better than the first. Alas, the fates (and the lack of intelligence of the critics and audience) did not recognize the latter as being the adult masterpiece that it is. There will be no more Babes. What a gorgeous film.
Wonderfully written, wonderfully directed, and that's one cute pig
posted on 15 Dec 2008I've never been one for "cute" things. Normally, I'd rather have my eyes gouged out with a spoon at the mere mention of something being "oh so cute", but this movie puts a bit of a different spin on that.I don't bother with the "heart warming" or "wholesome" or any other words used to describe something with talking animals. I look at direction and style when looking at a movie like this, and I must say, this movie is top quality in both categories. Very effective use of conversation and the many variations on the "If I Had Words" song provide a nice flow throughout the movie.But what I really liked about this flick are the characters. From the farmer and his wife to the pig to the duck and the dogs, sheep, and everyone else, they all provide a certain element to the story and all add to the unique flavor of the movie.Yes, I know it didn't follow the book, but I (and many other people I've talked to) didn't even know there was a book, so I consider that to be a moot point. Yes, this is the movie responsible for talking dogs, frog, and all other manner of animals on commercials (which will one day drive me to the top of the Golden Gate bridge with a shotgun and a bag of Cheetos), but this is the only example of talking animals where it looks real, and it works.All in all, I think this a very underrated movie, espcially in light of the lack of creativity coming out of Hollywood these days. It should've been nominated for Best Picture of '95, and if not, it's at least one of the Top 250 of all time.///@\\\
An absolute delight! Funny, uplifting, wonderful!!!
posted on 21 Nov 2008I LOVE this movie! It's terrific fun to watch, and it completely engaged my emotions from the first frame to the last. It's SO cathartic; impossible not to care for these characters, and to fervently want them to be happy. Whenever I watch "Babe", I cannot refrain from spending most of the movie with both hands clasped, going "OH HOW CUUUUUTE!!!" "OH HOW SWEEEET!!" This is one of the best "feel good" movies I have ever seen. I don't know one single person who didn't like this flick. It's PERFECT!! When Farmer Hoggett sings to Babe, and when he does his little dance, I literally get goosebumps, because it's such a heart-stirring, beautifully touching sight to behold. Mr. and Mrs. Hoggett are such lovable, memorable and completely sympathetic characters! I was so taken with Farmer Hoggett, that upon seeing James Cromwell in "L.A. Confidential", the first thing that popped into my mind was: "Wait a minute! No, no, this is all wrong! That's Farmer Hoggett, he can't be BAD!!" For real! EVERYONE should see this movie. It truly fills the heart with joy. Instant classic! If I were a psychiatrist, I would prescribe this movie, rather than Prozac, as an anti-depressant. It's THAT wonderful!
Great movie
posted on 15 Nov 2008I liked Babe and Babe in the Pig City. How can I order both of them on VHS? They were OK movies. It was a funny movie and great for kids. My husbands niece would like to see them. I like the pig he was wonderful in the movie. I recommend this movie with family your kids will love this movie. It's the best. I wish I owned them so that I could show her the movies. I do own a lot of movies but not those 2. This is a movie that adults and children will love to watch over and over again. I liked them I know you will too. Can't wait to see them again for it's been a long time since I have seen these movies. These are the best movies I have seen and would tell anyone who's a child at hart to watch these movies with you. It's great fun. I don't have any kids but I would still watch them. I think they are cute movies that people would love with or without kids. I hope I find these movies Michele
That'll do pig, that'll do.
posted on 06 Nov 2008I first saw this movie a few years back. I am so glad I own this movie so I can watch it whenever I please. Babe is the sweetest little pig, and I just wish he was mine!!
*SPOILERS* This movie begins with Babe losing his Mother to "pig heaven". Perhaps he was vulnerable, perhaps not, but he is picked up by some mysterious men.
He's then taken to the county fair where a man named Farmer Hoggett tries to guess his weight. Guess what?? The farmer wins Babe. He takes him back to the farm, and Babe misses his Mommy dearly. Fly, the sheep dog tries to comfort him, and treats him as one of her own. Babe has lots of fun, including getting into trouble with Ferdinand, the duck who thinks he is a rooster...LoL. However, then Rex, the male sheep dog loses his temper and thinks that Babe should not be sleeping in the barn with the dogs, but sleeping where a pig is supposed to sleep. Rex is jealous because Babe saved the sheep herd a few times, and that is a sheep dog's job. Babe almost gets himself in trouble, because the farmer thinks he killed Maa the old ewe. Babe would never do that!! (Dogs killed her) In the end, Farmer Hoggett decides to put Babe into a sheep dog competition.
He is almost laughed off the field, but he doesn't care. And do you know what?? Babe won the competition just by asking the sheep nicely and not yelling and "barking" at them. The farmer always knew what to say to Babe. He always says "That'll do pig, that'll do" and Babe knows he's done right. This movie will be enjoyed by all. No matter what your age, you have to see this!! Everything about this movie is excellent. I give a 10 out of 10!!
A Pig of an Adventure
posted on 15 Aug 2009BABE is a fantastic story of a pig with an adventure. I was just blowing away with it the first time I saw it! In the movie Babe the pig is bought to Farmer Hoggett's (James Cromwell) farm and taken under the care of Fly the Sheepdog. Soon he meets other farm animals including Ferdinane the Duck who wants to be a rooster and gets BABE into trouble while trying to sneak into the farmhouse! Babe also makes friends with Maa the sheep who sees BABE as a nice pig. Soon BABE goes to the sheep field and becomes a good sheep pig due to his kindness. Farmer Hoggett soon sees this and enters BABE in the sheepdog trial where they are at first laughed at but then applauded and winning first place with Farmer Hoggett saying That'll do pig! That'll do! Filled with wonderful characters and adventure beyond imagination BABE is a true family movie the whole family can enjoy! Me and my family sure have enjoyed it over the years! 10 out of 10!