Like its title character, Babe, released a quarter-century ago, is the story of an underestimated little thing that went on to stupendous achievements.
It began as the 1983 Dick King-Smith children's book The Sheep-Pig, about an orphaned piglet who demonstrates a knack for herding sheep. In 1986, director George Miller (Mad Max) was on a flight from Sydney to London when a woman next to him laughed as she read the book. Miller immediately began negotiating with King-Smith for the rights — a process that took nearly a decade, with one sticking point being Miller's determination to shoot in his ...
It began as the 1983 Dick King-Smith children's book The Sheep-Pig, about an orphaned piglet who demonstrates a knack for herding sheep. In 1986, director George Miller (Mad Max) was on a flight from Sydney to London when a woman next to him laughed as she read the book. Miller immediately began negotiating with King-Smith for the rights — a process that took nearly a decade, with one sticking point being Miller's determination to shoot in his ...
Like its title character, Babe, released a quarter-century ago, is the story of an underestimated little thing that went on to stupendous achievements.
It began as the 1983 Dick King-Smith children's book The Sheep-Pig, about an orphaned piglet who demonstrates a knack for herding sheep. In 1986, director George Miller (Mad Max) was on a flight from Sydney to London when a woman next to him laughed as she read the book. Miller immediately began negotiating with King-Smith for the rights — a process that took nearly a decade, with one sticking point being Miller's determination to shoot in his ...
It began as the 1983 Dick King-Smith children's book The Sheep-Pig, about an orphaned piglet who demonstrates a knack for herding sheep. In 1986, director George Miller (Mad Max) was on a flight from Sydney to London when a woman next to him laughed as she read the book. Miller immediately began negotiating with King-Smith for the rights — a process that took nearly a decade, with one sticking point being Miller's determination to shoot in his ...
“Babe” turns 25 on August 4, and the sweet, endearing family drama from Down Under, about an orphan pig winning a sheepherding competition, revolutionized the talking animal movie in 1995. The underdog also became a surprising box office hit and Oscar contender for Universal.
“Babe” earned $64 million domestically and $254 million worldwide, and grabbed seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (for Chris Noonan), Best Adapted Screenplay (Miller & Noonan), and Best Supporting Actor (for James Cromwell as avuncular Farmer Hoggett). Yet its lone prize was for Best Visual Effects, beating Universal’s heavily favored “Apollo 13.”
Thanks to the landmark collaboration between VFX studio Rhythm & Hues (overlaying CG animation over live-action animal footage), and more advanced animatronics from London-based Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and Australia’s John Cox’s Creature Shop and Robotech, “Babe” altered the landscape of the industry. “We weren’t just changing technology, we were changing filmmaking,” said Oscar-winning...
“Babe” earned $64 million domestically and $254 million worldwide, and grabbed seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (for Chris Noonan), Best Adapted Screenplay (Miller & Noonan), and Best Supporting Actor (for James Cromwell as avuncular Farmer Hoggett). Yet its lone prize was for Best Visual Effects, beating Universal’s heavily favored “Apollo 13.”
Thanks to the landmark collaboration between VFX studio Rhythm & Hues (overlaying CG animation over live-action animal footage), and more advanced animatronics from London-based Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and Australia’s John Cox’s Creature Shop and Robotech, “Babe” altered the landscape of the industry. “We weren’t just changing technology, we were changing filmmaking,” said Oscar-winning...
- 8/2/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Writer and academic W.G. Sebald once said: “Men and animals regard each other across a gulf of mutual incomprehension.” In truth, an animal understands nothing of its place in the world, their mind focused merely on food and the prospect of comfort, if available. In cinema, there is an old actor’s adage that states: “Never work with children or animals. They will always upstage you.” When an animal performs successfully in a film, it’s undeniably captivating because we know that animal is unaware of its role in the overall story. The camera has recorded some beautiful cosmic miracle, appearing from the outside to somehow defy Sebald’s words.
Whether fictional friend or foe, the relationship between humans and animals in cinema has always captured our imaginations. These sometimes expand beyond the borders of the normal, and, beyond the Bourgeoisie pooper-scoopers and barked-out cry conveying that some hapless child has fallen down a well,...
Whether fictional friend or foe, the relationship between humans and animals in cinema has always captured our imaginations. These sometimes expand beyond the borders of the normal, and, beyond the Bourgeoisie pooper-scoopers and barked-out cry conveying that some hapless child has fallen down a well,...
- 6/23/2016
- by Tony Hinds
- The Film Stage
"That'll do, pig. That'll do."
It's been 20 years since the world fell in love with the sheep-herding pig at the center of the film "Babe," which opened August 4, 1995. The movie was hailed as a kids' movie that delighted viewers of all ages -- it was the rare children's film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar -- as well as an advance in effects magic that launched a wave of live-action, talking-animal flicks.
It's hard to imagine that the G-rated classic came from George Miller, the same filmmaker behind the ultra-violent, hard-r "Mad Max" franchise. That's one of many things you may not know about "Babe," here are 19 more:
1. In 1986, producer/co-screenwriter Miller became interested in the story during a long plane flight from Sydney to London, where the woman seated next to him was laughing uproariously at Dick King-Smith's book, "The Sheep-Pig." Upon landing, he found the book in...
It's been 20 years since the world fell in love with the sheep-herding pig at the center of the film "Babe," which opened August 4, 1995. The movie was hailed as a kids' movie that delighted viewers of all ages -- it was the rare children's film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar -- as well as an advance in effects magic that launched a wave of live-action, talking-animal flicks.
It's hard to imagine that the G-rated classic came from George Miller, the same filmmaker behind the ultra-violent, hard-r "Mad Max" franchise. That's one of many things you may not know about "Babe," here are 19 more:
1. In 1986, producer/co-screenwriter Miller became interested in the story during a long plane flight from Sydney to London, where the woman seated next to him was laughing uproariously at Dick King-Smith's book, "The Sheep-Pig." Upon landing, he found the book in...
- 8/4/2015
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Gravity is a game-changer that makes a swath of films seem redundant. Here are seven earlier movies that broke the mould – and one that didn't
Every now and then a film comes along that totally changes everything: whether it is expensive new technology or a cute talking pig, nothing can be the same again. Gravity is the latest film that makes a whole swath of cinema look and feel redundant: its hard-won sense of documentary realism means everyone attempting to film a spacewalk or satellite explosion will have to raise their game massively. This is by no means a definitive, historical list – you would have to go back to the Lumière brothers for that – but we have narrowed it down to the seven films that have made the biggest impact on movies in their current form and obsessions.
Batman (1989)
The game: Superhero films were traditionally camp, trashy affairs – even Superman: The Movie,...
Every now and then a film comes along that totally changes everything: whether it is expensive new technology or a cute talking pig, nothing can be the same again. Gravity is the latest film that makes a whole swath of cinema look and feel redundant: its hard-won sense of documentary realism means everyone attempting to film a spacewalk or satellite explosion will have to raise their game massively. This is by no means a definitive, historical list – you would have to go back to the Lumière brothers for that – but we have narrowed it down to the seven films that have made the biggest impact on movies in their current form and obsessions.
Batman (1989)
The game: Superhero films were traditionally camp, trashy affairs – even Superman: The Movie,...
- 11/8/2013
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
‘Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you. Give me a pig! He looks you in the eye and treats you as an equal.’ – Winston Churchill
I was a little alarmed when I was reminded that 1995’s classic kids’ movie Babe was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It is a testament to the reception of this story about a quixotic piglet who aspires to the national sheepdog championships. In a sense it shouldn’t have surprised me; the movie, very popular when it came out, was one of those movies parents dutifully took their kids to only to love it as much as, if not more than, their children.
Part of the success no doubt comes down to the relative cuteness of the pig. There were, in fact, 48 of the little blighters because they grow up so quickly. There was also an animatronic double and CGI...
I was a little alarmed when I was reminded that 1995’s classic kids’ movie Babe was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It is a testament to the reception of this story about a quixotic piglet who aspires to the national sheepdog championships. In a sense it shouldn’t have surprised me; the movie, very popular when it came out, was one of those movies parents dutifully took their kids to only to love it as much as, if not more than, their children.
Part of the success no doubt comes down to the relative cuteness of the pig. There were, in fact, 48 of the little blighters because they grow up so quickly. There was also an animatronic double and CGI...
- 4/13/2011
- by Adam Whyte
- Obsessed with Film
Dick King-Smith – the beloved British children’s author whose book, The Sheep Pig, was made into the movie Babe – died at the age of 88 this week, leaving behind a charity legacy that has touched the hearts of children and adults alike.
The author poured his heart into his writing – penning more than 130 books for children – but was also well-known for helping raise £15 million for the Children’s Hospice South West in Wraxall through the Babe’s Big Appeal campaign.
“Dick was a fantastically generous man and he most willingly lent the name Babe to our appeal to build a children’s hospice to serve the greater Bristol area,” said Eddie Farwell, founder of the hospice. "He was always supportive and gave of his time freely – that is how we found him during the course of the appeal. He was absolutely tremendous, full of fun and totally committed to what we...
The author poured his heart into his writing – penning more than 130 books for children – but was also well-known for helping raise £15 million for the Children’s Hospice South West in Wraxall through the Babe’s Big Appeal campaign.
“Dick was a fantastically generous man and he most willingly lent the name Babe to our appeal to build a children’s hospice to serve the greater Bristol area,” said Eddie Farwell, founder of the hospice. "He was always supportive and gave of his time freely – that is how we found him during the course of the appeal. He was absolutely tremendous, full of fun and totally committed to what we...
- 1/7/2011
- Look to the Stars
Celebrated children's author Dick King-Smith has died after a long battle with ill health. The writer passed away in his sleep at his home in Bath, England on Tuesday, January 4, his agent has confirmed. He was 88.
King-Smith was one of Britain's best-selling kids authors and often used his love of animals to inspire some of his better-known works, including 1983's "The Sheep-Pig", which was turned into a big screen hit with the release of "Babe" in 1995. Another novel, 1990's "The Water Horse", became a movie in 2007 starring "Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson and David Morrissey.
He wrote more than 100 books in the last three decades, among them "The Invisible Dog", "Harriet the Hare" and "The Witch of Blackberry Bottom", and was handed an Order of the British Empire honor in 2009 for his contributions to the literary world.
He is survived by his second wife Zona and his three children, as well as 14 grandchildren,...
King-Smith was one of Britain's best-selling kids authors and often used his love of animals to inspire some of his better-known works, including 1983's "The Sheep-Pig", which was turned into a big screen hit with the release of "Babe" in 1995. Another novel, 1990's "The Water Horse", became a movie in 2007 starring "Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson and David Morrissey.
He wrote more than 100 books in the last three decades, among them "The Invisible Dog", "Harriet the Hare" and "The Witch of Blackberry Bottom", and was handed an Order of the British Empire honor in 2009 for his contributions to the literary world.
He is survived by his second wife Zona and his three children, as well as 14 grandchildren,...
- 1/6/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Celebrated children's author Dick King-smith has died after a long battle with ill health.
The writer passed away in his sleep at his home in Bath, England on Tuesday, his agent has confirmed. He was 88.
King-Smith was one of Britain's best-selling kids authors and often used his love of animals to inspire some of his better-known works, including 1983's The Sheep-Pig, which was turned into a big screen hit with the release of Babe in 1995.
Another novel, 1990's The Water Horse, became a movie in 2007 starring Harry Potter actress Emma Watson and David Morrissey.
He wrote more than 100 books in the last three decades, among them The Invisible Dog, Harriet the Hare and The Witch of Blackberry Bottom, and was handed an Order of the British Empire honour in 2009 for his contributions to the literary world.
He is survived by his second wife Zona and his three children, as well as 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
The writer passed away in his sleep at his home in Bath, England on Tuesday, his agent has confirmed. He was 88.
King-Smith was one of Britain's best-selling kids authors and often used his love of animals to inspire some of his better-known works, including 1983's The Sheep-Pig, which was turned into a big screen hit with the release of Babe in 1995.
Another novel, 1990's The Water Horse, became a movie in 2007 starring Harry Potter actress Emma Watson and David Morrissey.
He wrote more than 100 books in the last three decades, among them The Invisible Dog, Harriet the Hare and The Witch of Blackberry Bottom, and was handed an Order of the British Empire honour in 2009 for his contributions to the literary world.
He is survived by his second wife Zona and his three children, as well as 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
- 1/5/2011
- WENN
London – There's an especially starry knight in Britain's latest round of royal honors.Patrick Stewart — "Star Trek: The Next Generation's" Capt. Jean-Luc Picard — becomes Sir Patrick in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year honors list, which also includes a knighthood for theater and film director Nicholas Hytner."This is an honor that embraces those actors, directors and creative teams who have in these recent years helped fill my life with inspiration, companionship and sheer fun," said 69-year-old Stewart, who recently returned to the British stage following a long career in Hollywood that included playing Professor Charles Xavier in three "X-Men" films.Erich Reich, a refugee from Nazi-occupied Europe who organized last year's 70th anniversary of the "Kindertransport," which brought 10,000 children to wartime Britain, also received a knighthood.A separate honors list in New Zealand bestowed a knighthood on the king of Middle Earth — "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson.
- 12/31/2009
- backstage.com
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