Production Year: 1995 - Comedy - Director: Chris Noonan - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski more
A little pig with big dreams teaches himself to be a sheepdog in this marvelous fantasy based on Dick King-Smith's children's novel THE SHEEP-PIG. When an old farmer wins a piglet... more
Babe [DVD] [1995]
The surprise hit of 1995, this splendidly entertaining family film was nominated for six ... more
Academy Awards, including best picture, director, and screenplay, and deservedly won the Oscar for its subtly ingenious visual effects.Babeis all about the title c...
Babe DVD
Introducing a barnyard full of captivating characters unlike any you've ever met! There's ... more
Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell); Fly the sheep dog; Rex her shepherding partner; Ferdinanad the quacky duck; Maa the elderly ewe; and the newest addition to ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item....
The Babe DVD
A Biographical film charting the life loves and losses of legendary baseball player ... more
George Herman "Babe" Ruth. The Babe begins with Ruth's days in a Baltimore boys' school where Brother Mathias takes Babe under his wing and teaches him to play baseball. The film then follows him through his phenomenal career and chaotic personal life.
Production Year: 1956 - Comedy - Director: Joshua Logan - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray, Betty Field, Hope Lange, Eileen Heckart, Arthur O'Connell, Casey Adams, Hans Conried, Robert Bray
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
A review by the_mad_cabbie on Babe (DVD) October 29th, 2001
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
The truly wonderful talking animals
Disadvantages:
Not a lot
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
~ ~ On the summer holidays a couple of years back, and caught in a torrential downpour in Ennis, Co. Clare, the “mad cabbie” and family hotfoot it along to the local fleapit (cinema) in order to kill a couple of hours. Ennis, and Clare in general, is a lovely part of Ireland, but unless you’re a drinker (I’m not) and can repair to one of the many local hostelries, then it quickly loses its appeal when the heavens open, and it’s a case of take cover where you can. A quick glance of the hoardings reveal the choice of cinematic delectation is somewhat limited, and we are cajoled by the young lass to view an offering called “Babe”, which is about a talking pig and his various and exotic adventures on a farm in old England. We didn’t think for a solitary moment that we would actually end up enjoying this wonderful children’s film, and really only went for the wee lasses benefit, but in this respect we were more than pleasantly surprised. In fact, it’s a bit of a misnomer to call it purely a child’s film at all, as it’s appeal is universal, and it will be enjoyed by all age groups.
~ ~ On the face of it “Babe” has no great appeal to an adult audience. It’s about a young pig that is born the runt of the litter, and thus escapes the fate of most little porkers, and is NOT sent to market to be turned into streaky rashers for the breakfast table. Instead he ends up resident at a farm in rural England run by farmer Hoggett and his wife, (James Cromwell and Magda Szubanski) where he quickly makes a foster home for himself with the family of sheepdogs. In ‘Babe’, all of the animals talk, but only to each other and not to humans, and there is a strict pecking order in place. (shades of George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’) Each has its designated role at the farm and its purpose in life, for which many is to be eaten by their lords and masters. (the humans) Needless to say, many find this fate somewhat less than alluring. Be warned that this film has the potential to turn your youngsters into budding vegetarians, although it didn’t stop my little carnivore from demanding a McDonalds immediately upon leaving the cinema.
~ ~ The farmer’s wife, Mrs. Hoggett, who strangely enough has more than a passing resemblance to a pig herself, decides that it would be a good idea to fatten up little Babe as a table delicacy for the Christmas dinner. But Babe has ideas of his own in that department, and quickly masters the art of being a sheepdog (eh, sorry, sheep pig) from his adopted doggy family. But he adds a little refinement of his own to the task, and instead of barking and growling at the sheep, and snapping at their legs, (which he can’t do anyway) he decides to employ the delicate art of diplomacy, and sweet talks and cajoles the reluctant sheep into their pen. He soon takes the place of the prize sheepdog Rex in the affections of ‘Boss’ Hoggett, the farmer, which obviously doesn’t go down too well with the aging sheepdog. Hoggett decides to take the bull (sorry, sheep) by the horns and enters Babe in the county sheepdog trials, where after much head scratching and perusal of the rulebook, it is decided there is actually nothing to stop a ‘sheep pig’ from competing. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.
~ ~ So what is it exactly that gives this 1995 film directed by Chris Noonan such universal appeal? It’s the marvellous talking animals, off course. As well as Babe and the sheepdogs, who also have a delightful brood of lovely puppies, you have a truly hilarious duck who refuses categorically to believe that he’s anything other than a rooster, because roosters don’t end up on the dinner table. There is also a trio of singing mice, who narrate the story in the various sections that the film is sub-divided into. Then you have the truly marvellous and rousing music from a full Philharmonic Orchestra, with loud horns and brass instruments adding considerably to the dramatic effect in many key scenes. The script (strangely) was written by the writer of the Australian road movie “Mad Max” starring Mel Gibson, but he shows here that he has the touch for comedy as well as high adventure. This film actually won a ‘Golden Globe’ award for the Best Comedy Picture in 1995. It would have been highly amusing if Babe had also been nominated for the Best Actor award, as dozens of different pigs were actually used in the role. Just imagine the mayhem as they all gaily trotted up to the stage to receive their accolades, and their acceptance speeches would have been a sight to behold. James Cromwell, who plays Farmer Hoggett, was in fact nominated for an Oscar, but didn’t win, which is a pity in this writer’s book as his was one of the best comedy acting performances I have had the pleasure of viewing.
~ ~ There was subsequently a sequel made to this movie (isn’t there always!) called ‘Babe in the City’, but like a lot of follow ups, it failed to deliver on the promise from the original film. (But that’s another review) If this is a movie that you have yet to view, then do yourself and the kids a big favour, and get down to your local video shop pronto.
Advantages: great entertaining movie Disadvantages: none
...bacon….
**MAIN CHARACTERS**
Babe the pig…(voiced by Christine Cavanaugh) is the little guy with big ideas about becoming the first ever sheep herding pig.
Farmer Arthur Hoggett, (played by James Cromwell) is known as 'the Boss' by all the farm animals. For some reason he doesn't say much, using facial expressions to show his emotions. He simply plods through life under the guidance of his wife Esme, Esme Hoggette, (played by Magda Szubanski) is ... ...care for Babe that much and only see him as dinner.
Maa, (voiced by Miriam Flynn) is the old and very wise ewe who takes a shine to the little pig.
Fly, (voiced by Miriam Margolyes) is the female sheepdog who takes Babe under her wing, so to speak, after her litter of pups are taken from her. Rex, (voiced by Hugo Weaving) is the mate of Fly and the father to her pups. He is Hoggetts best sheepdog and does not like the fact that a pig may take his ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Good all round family entertainment . Disadvantages: None
...the other animals that accompany Babe as strong characters are as follows.
There are two working sheepdogs (collies). Rex the male is very masterful, abrupt, proud and loud but soon the hard dog façade fades. Fly the female is motherly, caring and gentile. There is a very cunning and sly cat, a duck that must have been raised by Calamity Jane, as he is so clumsy and finally a trio of singing mice.
The story starts with a heart-wrenching scene where ... ...is Farmer Hogget and so Babe is delivered to his Farm. Babe is put in the barn where he pines for his mother. Fly the female sheepdog and her adorable puppies share the barn with Babe. Fly hears babe crying and soon her motherly instincts emerge and she comforts Babe, who intern comforts her when her puppies are sold.
Ferdinand the duck becomes one of Babes friends and they get up to all sort of mischief together including when they try to steal ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great effects Disadvantages: A bit sentimental
Babe is the story of a young pig who wants to herd sheep like the female collie he befriends.
It's a wonderful movie and extremely absorbing the first time you watch it. I'm not sure it would be as rewarding the second time around and the sequel (Babe 2 - Pig In The City) was just plain awful.
There's a lot of genuinely very funny moments and the makers have managed to pull some truly amazing feats with the animals.
It's an overwhelmingly cute ... ...Dog, you just know that Babe is going to pull off his ultimate performance and prove himself the Sheep Pig, the master of all he surveys after learning the secret password from Ma, the sheep he makes a friend of.
This is one of those films which has a bad habit of spawning lots of cuddly toys, and here the pig with the tuft of black hair on top is particularly annoying.
You'll probably find yourself liking this film despite all your best intentions ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Superb analogy between farmyard animals and baseball players Disadvantages: Follow-up less successful
Babe was a film which succeeded on many levels. At first just an enjoyable childrens film it is also one of the best baseball analogy films ever created. It tells the story of Babe Ruth’s fight against oppressive franchise owners to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
The use of animals as an analogy of the plight of baseball stars controlled and herded with few freedoms possible within their contracts at first sight seems ... ...criticisms are soon forgotten.
Babe Ruth is portrayed as using methods within the game which were unconventional but relied on a team ethic and use of communication. To succeed players and coaches needed to work together. When players were persuaded to perform to the best of their ability it was much more successful that if they were barked at or treated as inferior beings.
The farmer is used to portray a view that owners did not have to employ ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...talk, sing and dance. Babe is a sweet innocent little character who cannot fail to enchant you.
This is a very original film and so very very funny. I think that it is obviously supposed to be a childrens film but it really is fun for all the family.
It concerns me a little that there is now a sequel, Babe Pig in the City because I think that a lot of the time sequels are so predictable and become boring. If it is funny and original I hope that ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Cute animals, very small children would probably enjoy it Disadvantages: Everything else
..., awful film unless you have small children who will simply appreciate the cute animals.
However, if you really feel you want to see this travesty of a film (maybe just to see how bad it is ) you can either buy it for around £7 or it'll probably be on over Christmas (what a perfect film to ruin christmas spirit!)
Extras on the DVD (in case you haven't had enough by now):
Babe screensaver
Production Notes
Cast And Filmmakers Notes
Theatrical Trailers
But I'm sure you can make up your own mind...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
...George Miller's BABE: PIG IN THE CITY was released in 1998 after glowing, award-winning success from its bittersweet predecessor, which he produced. Now firmly in the director's seat, and with a higher budget at hand, the great director of THE ROAD WARRIOR (of the MAD MAX trilogy) brings his slightly-skewed vision of the world to the forefront, but does he continue the original's enchanting entertainment?
Babe is an intelligent piglet in a world of communicating animals. A loveable little tyke, having so memorably won the national sheepdog trials in the first film he is now something of a little hero. One day, however, he unwillingly causes a farming accident that cripples his owner, Hoggett, the equally loveable farmer, and the tragedy leaves Hoggett's naive wife to run their farm. With bills piling up, she accepts an invitation to...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
A little pig with big dreams teaches himself to be a sheepdog in this marvelous fantasy based on Dick King-Smith's children's novel THE SHEEP-PIG. When an old farmer wins a piglet at a carnival by guessing its weight, be brings the little oinker home. At first, Babe feels confused and lonely. But a maternal collie, who just delivered her own litter, welcomes Babe into her family, and teaches him about farm life. Soon the precious pig proves that he can be a pretty valuable asset to the farmer and his wife--in a most unexpected way. Special effects allow the entire menagerie of farm animals to speak throughout this magical live-action tale.
Technical information
Special Features: Screen Saver, Production Notes, Filmography, Theatrical Trailer
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 Wide Screen, 16:9 Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English French Dolby Digital Surround German Italian Spanish
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Listed on Ciao since : 09/06/2000
Professional reviews
Review: "...It's inspiring what real talent, imagination, and style can do..." -- Rating: A (Entertainment Weekly, p.38, 11/08/1995)
"...[BABE] is in a league of its own when it comes to enchantment....Beautifully shot in Australia, Babe gives off a cozy, old-fashioned feel..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars (USA Today, p.1D, 04/08/1995)
"...Dazzling family entertainment with enormous charm and utilizing breathtaking technical innovation..." (Variety, 24/07/1995)
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