Babe (Widescreen Special Edition) (1995)

"...the Citizen Kane of talking pig pictures.  Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
"Babe has the enchantment of an extended magical illusion...  Richard Chickel, Time

Editor's Note 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 oinker, named Babe, home. At first, the little animal 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.

	James Cromwell
	Magda Szubanski
	Miriam Flynn
	Miriam Margolyes
	Christine Cavanaugh
	Roscoe Lee Browne
	Dick King-Smith - Based on Novel By
	Chris Noonan - Director
	Andrew Lesnie - Director of Photography
	Nigel Westlake - Musical Score
	George Miller, et al. - Producer
	George Miller - Screenplay
	Chris Noonan - Screenplay

"Christmas means carnage!" ---- Ferdinand, the duck (voice of DANNY MANN)

Premiere
"...Utterly charming..." - Recommended 04/01/1996 p.131

USA Today
"...[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 08/04/1995 p.1D

Entertainment Weekly
"...It's inspiring what real talent, imagination, and style can do..." -- Rating: A 08/11/1995 p.38

Variety
"...Dazzling family entertainment with enormous charm and utilizing breathtaking technical innovation..." 07/24/1995

Los Angeles Times
"...Carefree and light on its feet....If only people would be more like these animals, the world, though hardly saner, would certainly be a lot more fun..." 08/04/1995 p.F1

Chicago Sun-Times
"...BABE is a movie made with charm and wit....It knows things, and teaches lessons. And it is so well made that adults will find it entertaining, too..." 08/04/1995 p.34

Washington Post 9 of 10
A captivating comic allegory about daring to be different in the face of conformity. With its population of talking beasts and "Animal Farm"-derived themes, the film is aimed at the whole family, but is a must-see for wee Orwellians...The story is convincingly told from the animals' perspective; there isn't a hint of condescension toward either the characters or their viewers. Adapted from a popular Australian children's book, "Babe" is warm and wonderfully loony... - Rita Kempley

ReelViews 8 of 10
...this is a fun movie to sit through. Despite the presence of so many animals -- cats, dogs, horses, cows, ducks, roosters, sheep, and a pig -- the "cuteness factor" is kept carefully in check. Of course Babe is adorable, but we're not subjected to the countless smarmy bonding scenes that too-often infect this sort of picture. Thought was put into the adaptation of Dick King-Smith's book. Even the narrative voiceovers, aced with subtle irony and understated revelations, are effective in this context. - James Berardinelli