Babe 1995

I have to admit that I thought about the Babe movie for the first time in a long time because of what I was serving for dinner. "Pork is a nice, sweet meat" I heard myself saying to my son. And then I had to revisit what is certainly one of the most charming films ever made.

After winning a piglet in a "guess the weight" contest at the county fair, Babe the pig is brought home by Farmer Hoggett to be raised by a border collie named Fly. He attracts the attention of the farmer by sorting hens by colour, and then herding the sheep by asking them politely to move them out of their pen. The film then follows his career as a sheep-pig and the viewer is left utterly charmed.

Babe: I'm sorry I bit you. Are you alright?
Sheep: Well, I wouldn't call that a bite myself. You got teeth in that floppy mouth of yours or just gums?
[Babe bursts out laughing and so does the other sheep]
Maa the Very Old Ewe: You see, ladies? A heart of gold.

Farmer Haggett and Babe, the sheep-pig

Farmer Hoggett: That'll do, Pig. That'll do.

Babe and Fly

Fly: All right, how did you do it?
Babe: I asked them and they did it. I just asked them nicely.
Fly: We don't ask sheep, dear; we tell them what to do.
Babe: But I did, Mom. They were really friendly.

Babe: Baa-ram-ewe! Baa-ram-ewe! To your breed, your fleece, your clan be true! Sheep be true! Baa-ram-ewe!
Sheep: [finally begins to speak] What - what did you say?

Mice:  Pork is a nice, sweet meat!

If I had words to make a day for you
I'd sing you a morning golden and true
I would make this day last for all time
Then fill the night deep in moonshine

So I recommend that you watch this one again on a day when you need a little ray of sunshine in your life. You don't need a child with you but if there is a little one in the house, I will bet they will curl up to watch this with you, and come to love Babe, the little sheep-pig. By the way, the film is based on a book Babe The Sheep-Pig for anyone who wants to keep the charm going!