Released on 4th August 1995, Babe-the movie with a difference, stole the heart of millions with the originality in style, screenplay, storyline and direction. Crafted by director Chris Noonan, Babe appeared to be the most spectacular movie after the original novel by Dick King-Smith. The screenplay done by George Miller transformed the movie to a different level with dialogs in the lips of farm animals that created an air of sarcasm, taunting the false pride in humans. The original book is no doubt great, but the excellence and charm, manifested in the cinematic version of the story, surpassed the boundaries set by the novel itself.
The story in Babe centers around the adventurous life of a little piglet, called Babe, who escaped the perils of the dreaded slaughterhouse to land up in a farm. The farmer bought the little piggy for no apparent reason and soon got him into a situation, where, he had to share his sleeping quarter with a family of sheepdogs at the barn. In the movie Babe is raised with the sheepdog family and soon finds himself with a new identity, a new life and a somewhat less gloomy future. The plot gradually intensifies with Babe getting into several stressful situations along with the other characters in the farm who stand by him as true friends through every thick and thin.
Perfectly voiced by Christine Cavanaugh, Babe talks with the pure surprises of a dandy little boy and exclaims at every momentary mishappenings that doesn't seem right to his clear conscience.
Perhaps the most fascinating thing about Babe, is that, the movie portrays the painstaking struggle of the lonely little pig to earn a place for himself in the farm. This is where the real irony of the story can be felt. Throughout the movie, the relentless struggle of Babe, reminds us of our own struggles that often await us in our lives. The story depicted in the fascinating movie certainly speaks of wish fulfillment, when Babe earns his name as a sheepdog with a glorious performance in the dog show. The movie slowly works upon the basic facts of life that teaches us to stand steadfast and face our own troubles without fear.
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Babe won the 1996 Oscar nominations for a number of different crafts. Scott E. Anderson and Charles Gibson along with two others won the awards for Best Effects and Visual Effects. James Cromwell playing the character of the old farmer won the best actor award in supporting role. Chris Noonan got the Best Director Award, while the Best Art Direction and Set Direction Awards were granted to Roger Ford and Kerrie Brown. George Miller, Bill Miller and Doug Mitchell shared the Best Picture Award.
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