Babe

The opening line of this movie hints that we are in for a special story: “This is a tale about an unprejudiced heart, and how it changed our valley forever.” I didn’t see “Babe” until after the Oscars. It also took a few years after that for me to fully appreciate the power that this movie has. It is a family or even children’s movie more than anything but its message and mood are very inspirational. This is yet another amazing movie among many that was released in 1995 and it has brought tears to my eyes before. The mood of the film goes from romantic to dramatic to inspirational.

Because the film is based off a storybook, the film doesn’t forget that. We have narration and chapter headings throughout “Babe” and they accomplish their design, especially the narration. This movie contains one of the best uses of narration I have ever seen thanks to Roscoe Lee Browne. The opening sequence of the film really helps you to feel sympathetic towards pigs and a similar thing was done in "Charlotte's Web". The irony of “pig paradise” is strong. We then meet Arthur Hoggett, a quiet and humble man who comes across as the ideal farmer. Speaking of that, the entire film is set in a very ideal countryside. The farm seems too good to be true. As we come to find out however, it isn’t perfect due to prejudice and incorrect traditions. The meeting between Hoggett and Babe is made quite important thanks to the narration. This sets up the great climax we are to experience later. Both Fly and Rex have strong personalities but Fly takes a side to Babe thanks to the mother in her. The opening third of the film is wonderful at helping the audience see the farm from all the animals’ different points of view. Through Babe’s eyes, the movie’s exposition is very well handled. The movie contains humor, as all children’s movies should. I love Ferdinand’s line for example, “I tried it with the hens. It didn’t work.” It is said so fast that you almost miss the joke. I also love the shot that slowly reveals the cat covered in paint. Towards the end of the movie, I love how Ferdy laughs at the cat who has been banished to the outside, rainy world. Back to the drama, the line “May I call you Mom” is an important plot point. Babe may be at the bottom of the social order on the farm but this act is done to help Fly overcome her sadness. In this new relationship, Babe is starting to rise above his place in the farm. Why does Hoggett suggest that they delay Babe’s fate of being butchered? My bet is that Hoggett’s mind recalls that moment of destiny he felt when he first met Babe. Hoggett is manipulating his wife, which is funny when you think of how silent he is as a man. The whole Christmas sequence is full of irony such as the silent sound of Christmas carols from inside the house as Hoggett goes to prepare Christmas dinner. Another ironic and humorous moment is when Rosanna is being carved. After Babe saves the sheep from being stolen, the family sees it as funny but Hoggett isn’t laughing. He seems to have gratitude towards Babe and after seeing Babe sort the chickens, he sees no harm in giving Babe a chance to rise above his place in the world. When Fly and Rex drive the sheep into the corral, it is depicted in a good light and that causes us to forget how the sheep view the dogs. Babe’s “weakness” of treating the sheep like equals becomes his strength.

Rex is an interesting antagonist. He is bitter towards sheep because they cost him his hearing and becoming champion in the national sheep dog trials. Rex’s pride and anger almost destroy everything he holds dear. Hoggett as usual knows best and can tell that Rex is jealous. We later see Rex resting where Babe used to live. I still feel this is done in a prideful manner. With Rex and Fly unable to work, Babe continues to prove his talent. Hoggett knows that entering Babe in the national sheep dog trial is absolutely crazy but as a humble man, he is led to ask himself over and over, “Why not?” This teaches another wonderful message that crazy ideas that won’t die are the seeds of genius. Hoggett has more faith in Babe than even Rex or Fly but his truthful nature may cause him to give up this mad idea. Luck plays its part in Hoggett’s quest, which adds drama to the movie. When Babe learns the truth about pigs, he loses his hope and desire to live. Even Rex’s change of heart is not enough to snap Babe out of it. Rex does this because he loves Hoggett as any dog loves his master. By not supporting Babe, Rex is not supporting his master. Rex has trouble making the promises to the sheep but when it comes to promising not to misuse the password, he has no problem. This shows his noble nature as a dog and it is a nice plot point. The scene when Hoggett sings to Babe is an even more important scene. Because of it, Babe seems to remember that moment of destiny he shared with Hoggett at the start of the film. I love the scene as the committee members reveal their decision to Hoggett. It is so well written. The decision to have Babe compete is Hoggett’s alone. I love the contrast in the climax of the crowd laughing to then being silent and then cheering. Some of James Cromwell’s greatest acting moments in this film are in the climax as he ignores the laughing crowd of people. I love the editing of him closing the gate. The use of music makes the climax what it is in my opinion. I love the speechless commentators. That is funny.

The creation of “Forrest Gump” showed the filmmakers the possibility of bringing a credible, cinematic adaptation of this story to the silver screen. A movie like this would not have been possible without Jim Henson’s Workshop either. “Babe” introduced me to future Oscar winning director of photography Andrew Lesnie. There are obvious similarities between Hoggett farm and Hobbiton in “The Lord of the Rings”. This movie also introduced me James Cromwell and Hugo Weaving. Christine Cavanaugh performed the voice of Babe and in later years, I would hear her as the voice of Chuckie on “Rugrats” and as Dexter on “Dexter Laboratory”. “Babe” was nominated at the Oscars for Best Supporting Actor (Cromwell), Art Direction, Editing, Directing, Adapted Screenplay and most impressive of all; Best Picture. As mentioned however, 1995 was a very competitive year with the release of such films as “Apollo 13” and “Braveheart”. “Babe” did win Best Visual Effects and the Golden Globe that year. The American Film Institute has this movie on its list of most inspirational films at #80 ahead of such films as “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Ray”, “Chariots of Fire”, “The Karate Kid” and “A Beautiful Mind”.

The themes in this film are very powerful and important for all children. We all have to find our place in the world but we can be anything we want to be regardless of our background. “Ratatouille” would later repeat this message on the big screen. Another subject from “Babe” is the negativity of prejudice and social order. As I said, I enjoy the music and the song “If I Had Words”. These elements do wonders in supporting the story. The closing lines of the movie are so perfectly written that they deserve to be quoted here, “…though every single human in the stands or in the commentary boxes was at a complete loss for words, the man who in his life had uttered fewer words than any of them knew exactly what to say: ‘That’ll do pig. That’ll do.’”

4.5 Stars