How many times have you longed for a children's movie that does not curdle with its cuteness, trip over its gimmicks, or self-destruct in somber moralizing? Charlotte's Web, directed by Charles A. Nichols and Iwao Takamoto, is the answer to your highest hopes for a children's film. It is tasteful, moving, lovely — the kind of experience that affirms life and love and God's good creation. It is a most exquisite blend of poetry, music, image, and characterization. The universality of its messages and moods make it a film classic that has endured the test of time.
The book by E. B. White has sold millions of copies since its premier in the 1950s. For the film, the talents of some of America's very best artists were combined in a creation that is virtually breathtaking. Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman have written nine songs that will insinuate their way into your good graces: "There Must Be Something More," a lullaby; "I Can Talk," an ode to the miracle of speech; "Chin Up," a plea for self-confidence; "We've Got Lots in Common," a song of solidarity; "Deep in the Dark," another lullaby; "Mother Earth and Father Time," an absolutely lovely song about the earth's cycles; "Charlotte's Web," the title song; and two humorous selections, "A Veritable Smorgasbord" and "Zuckerman's Famous Pig." This musical soundtrack is top notch! Earl Hamner, Jr.'s screenplay reveals all the literate language of the book, and the animators have done their work extremely well.
An outstanding cast of voices is led by Debbie Reynolds as Charlotte the spider — mother figure, friend, imaginative problem-solver, and poet. Henry Gibson is Wilber the Pig who was born a runt and faces death from the beginning of his life. First, he's nearly killed by Farmer Arable (John Sephenson) until eight-year-old Fern (Pamelyn Ferdin) begs to be allowed to raise the pig. Later, in the farmyard, the stuttering Goose (Agnes Morehead) and the Old Sheep (Dave Madden) inform Wilbur that pigs are always slaughtered in autumn. As he despairs of his fate, Charlotte dreams up an unusual scheme to save his life. She draws everyone into her plan, even the "greedy and grouchy" rat Templeton (amusingly played by Paul Lynde, who steals the laughs of children). By the end of the story, Wilbur has learned the meaning of brotherly love and self-sacrifice.
Charlotte's Web deals with the basics of life — birth, friendship, earthly delight, intellect, joy, pain, death, life beyond death. It is a tale that touches the heart and reaches your deepest emotions — something that most adult films strive for but never succeed in delivering. Young and old alike will be united in praise of this humane movie. Put simply and jubilantly — Charlotte's Web is a masterpiece!