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Plot Summary


Babe, an orphaned piglet, finds himself unexpectedly chosen for a “guess the weight” contest at a local county fair. The victorious farmer, Arthur Hoggett, makes the decision to bring Babe home to live with a Border Collie named Fly, her partner Rex, and their lively puppies in the warm comfort of the barn.

In his new life, Babe encounters a clever duck named Ferdinand, who strives each morning to be regarded as useful rather than face the fate of being a meal. Ferdinand persuades Babe to help him sabotage the alarm clock that endangers his ambitions. Their plan works, but the ensuing chaos awakens Duchess, the Hoggetts’ cat, leading to a mishap that results in the destruction of the living room. During a barn meeting, Rex firmly warns Babe to steer clear of Ferdinand, who is now on the run.

As Christmas rolls around, Babe’s fate hangs in the balance when the Hoggett family arrives for the holiday. Initially, Babe is a contender for Christmas dinner, but when Hoggett mentions that Babe may bring home a prize ham next county fair, a duck gets selected instead. On Christmas Day, Babe finds a purpose for his existence when he alerts Hoggett to sheep rustlers in the fields. Impressed by Babe’s ability to sort hens by color the following day, Hoggett tests his herding skills with sheep. With encouragement from an elder ewe named Maa, the sheep respond positively, but Rex perceives this as an affront to sheepdogs and confronts Fly, leading to a fierce fight.

The confrontation results in injuries for both Fly and Hoggett. With Rex being restrained and sedated, Babe is left responsible for herding the sheep. One morning, upon hearing distress from the sheep, Babe discovers three dogs attacking them. Although he successfully drives them away, the aftermath leaves Maa mortally wounded. When Hoggett arrives, believing Babe to be the cause of Maa’s demise, he prepares to shoot him. However, Fly, worried about Babe’s fate, converses with the sheep instead of directing them, uncovering the real truth. She intervenes just in time, suggesting the police may know that feral dogs are responsible for the sheep killings.

With Esme away on a trip, Hoggett takes a leap of faith and enters Babe into a sheep-herding competition. Bad weather forces Hoggett to let Babe and Fly into the house that night, but when Duchess scratches him, Hoggett promptly banishes her outside. Later, when Duchess reveals to Babe that humans do eat pigs, a wave of horror washes over him. He rushes to the barn to confirm this startling revelation with Fly. The next day, however, Babe is nowhere to be found, prompting Fly and Rex to alert Hoggett to his absence. Rex ultimately locates Babe in a cemetery, and Hoggett brings him home. Despite this, Babe remains despondent and refuses to eat, until Hoggett offers him a drink from a baby bottle while singing “If I Had Words” and dancing a jig to uplift his spirits. This loving gesture rekindles Babe’s belief in Hoggett’s affection.

At the competition, Babe meets his sheep for the first time but struggles to gain their attention. Criticism mounts against Hoggett for entering a pig instead of a dog while Rex races back to the farm to consult the sheep for guidance. They share a secret password with him, and he promises to treat them better. Rex rushes back to relay this essential information to Babe, who then successfully commands the sheep, impressing the crowd with his abilities. After a triumphant performance, Babe is awarded the highest honor, basking in the praise of Arthur Hoggett, who affectionately concludes with the words, > “That’ll do, Pig. That’ll do.”

Timeline


Babe's Arrival

Babe, an orphaned piglet, is chosen for a guess-the-weight contest at a county fair. After winning the contest, he is taken home by farmer Arthur Hoggett to live with a Border Collie named Fly and her family in the barn.

County Fair

Friendship with Ferdinand

In his new life, Babe meets a clever duck named Ferdinand. Ferdinand urges Babe to assist him in sabotaging the alarm clock, so he can appear useful and avoid being dinner.

Living Room Disaster

Babe and Ferdinand's plan to sabotage the alarm clock leads to chaos, which wakes Duchess, the Hoggetts' cat. This results in a mishap that ultimately destroys the living room furniture.

Hoggett's House

Christmas Dilemma

As Christmas approaches, Babe's life is at stake as he becomes a potential candidate for Christmas dinner. However, Arthur decides that Babe may instead bring home a prize ham from the next county fair.

Christmas Day Hoggett's Farm

Babe Saves the Day

On Christmas Day, Babe discovers sheep rustlers threatening the flock and alerts Hoggett. This act earns him the farmer's admiration and respect, and Babe finds a purpose within the farm.

Christmas Day Fields

Testing Herding Skills

Impressed by Babe's instincts, Hoggett tests his herding abilities with sheep. Supported by Maa, an older ewe, Babe successfully demonstrates his herding knack, but it angers Rex, leading to a confrontation.

Barn

Injuries and Blame

The fight between Rex and Hoggett results in injuries to both Fly and Hoggett. As Babe takes over herding responsibilities, he learns the weight of the situation when three dogs attack the sheep.

Fields

Maa's Fate

Babe bravely drives off the attacking dogs, but the aftermath is tragic as Maa is left mortally wounded. When Hoggett arrives, he mistakenly assumes Babe is responsible for the disaster.

Fields

Fly's Intervention

Fly, distressed about Babe's fate, communicates with the sheep to uncover the truth about the dog attack. She convinces Hoggett not to harm Babe, revealing the real culprits behind the chaos.

Fields

Entering the Competition

With his wife Esme away, Hoggett enters Babe into a sheep-herding competition, believing in his potential. As a storm brews, Babe learns the harsh truth about pigs and their fate from Duchess.

Hoggett's Farm

Babe's Despondence

After pondering the grim reality of being considered food, Babe goes missing, causing havoc among the animals. Fly and Rex finally locate him in a cemetery, and Hoggett brings him home.

Cemetery

A Moment of Affection

Babe’s spirits are lifted when Hoggett offers him a drink from a baby bottle while singing a soothing song. This heartfelt gesture rekindles Babe's hope and belief in Hoggett’s care.

Hoggett's Farm

Competition Day

Finally at the sheep-herding competition, Babe must gain the sheep's attention to succeed. Despite doubts from the crowd about entering a pig in the contest, he prepares for his performance.

Competition Ground

Renewed Connection

Rex rushes back to provide Babe with a secret password from the sheep, promising better treatment. This vital communication leads Babe to connect with the sheep effectively during the competition.

Competition Ground

A Triumphant Conclusion

Babe impresses everyone with his herding talent and is awarded the highest honor at the competition. Hoggett affectionately acknowledges Babe's achievement, uttering the memorable phrase, 'That'll do, Pig. That'll do.'

Competition Ground

Characters


Babe

Babe is an orphaned piglet with a gentle disposition and dreams of belonging. His unparalleled curiosity and determination drive him to explore his abilities, particularly in herding sheep, challenging the limitations imposed on him by society. Throughout the story, Babe matures from an innocent piglet into a confident and capable individual who learns to believe in himself.

🐖 Piglet 🌟 Dreamer 🤗 Innocent

Arthur Hoggett

Arthur Hoggett is a rugged farmer with a kind heart who recognizes Babe's potential. He evolves from a traditional farmer to a nurturing guardian who champions Babe's unique abilities. His warm interactions with Babe highlight the deep bond between man and animal, revealing his role as a facilitator of Babe's journey.

👨‍🌾 Farmer ❤️ Supportive 🎤 Mentor

Fly

Fly is a Border Collie who initially views Babe as an outsider but soon becomes an important companion and mentor. Her instincts as a herding dog guide Babe in navigating his new life, revealing her nurturing and protective nature. Fly’s strong spirit and loyalty help shape Babe’s understanding of his identity.

🐶 Dog 🤍 Protector 🐾 Nurturer

Setting


Time period

The story unfolds in a timeless rural setting, capturing the essence of traditional farm life. This idyllic environment emphasizes the importance of family, community, and the bond between humans and animals, without a specific historical context.

Location

Hoggett Farm, Local County Fair

Hoggett Farm is a pastoral, rustic setting where livestock roam freely and the essence of rural life is felt. It is home to a variety of animals, including Babe, a pig, and several sheep, embodying the simplicity and charm of country living. The local county fair serves as a vibrant gathering, showcasing the community's agricultural achievements and hosting competitions that stir excitement among the townsfolk.

🏡 Farm 🎡 Fair

Themes


🐖

Identity

Babe's journey is a profound exploration of identity as he navigates his place in a world that sees him as merely a source of food. The movie reflects on self-discovery and the quest for acceptance, highlighting Babe's growing realization of his unique talents and role beyond what others perceive him to be.

🤝

Friendship

The relationships that Babe forms, especially with Fly and Ferdinand, underscore the theme of friendship. These bonds provide support and encouragement, demonstrating how companionship can lead to personal growth and empowerment, even amidst adversity.

🏆

Courage

Babe's determination to prove himself in the sheep-herding competition showcases his courage to defy expectations. Despite the odds stacked against him, he bravely steps into the spotlight, embodying the theme of facing challenges head-on and believing in oneself.

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