An adaption of the book of the same title, this animation musical has a lot to recommend it... and a few things to detract from its enjoyment. The songs are varied and catchy, the animation is acceptable - not exactly what I'd call beautiful, but not clunky and cheap either. The characters are what make or break the story and while Wilber, our star pig, starts out as a bit whiny (not without due cause, however!), he grows up over the course of the movie. And growing up is probably the best way to describe the theme of this film. Several characters grow up in different ways, including minor/background characters. It is an excellent look at the passage of time and how it affects different creatures/people - hopefully for the better, but not always.There are several silly, humorous moments and overall the story is a romp, but the serious points can hit hard. In my personal opinion, it's a fun movie, but not 10 stars - there are definite points where it feels like a musical number is simply filler to make the movie longer and a few places that make me scratch my head at a plot point. But overall, a kid would probably love this and there's really not much objectionable about it.I'd rate this movie as acceptable for ages 6 and up, but there are a few scary themes - especially death - which may bring children to tears or prompt questions. The emotions in the end are probably bitter- sweet rather than purely upbeat, so I'd advice parental discretion.

This is actually a very good adaption of this one for the kids. If your a parent with young ones, look for this one to entertain the family. It has a lot going for it.Earl Hamner (The Walton's) does a good job getting across the story. Debbie Reynolds and Paul Lyndes voices are delightful in the main characters roles. Henry Gibson (Laugh-In) voice is effective too.The story is about the spinning of a web to call attention to an important life story point. The emotions here reach children in a very special way. As for adults, if you remember the voices that is what your going to enjoy. It seems strange to think of how many of these voices have left us. This brings them back to life briefly for us to remember and the little children will enjoy this one.

This was such a kindly done movie and I prefer these older movies for my children as the new ones dazzle, but lose the story all too often.It is charming, well written, well acted, etc... and worth renting and then buying to add to your home collection.This version may not have the bells and whistles someone with no attention span or imagination prefers, but it delivers this classical story beautifully and my youngest, 7, loves it too.I'd encourage everyone to look into the older versions so their kids learn to think and not believe that all things worth spending time on have to be all shiny and new.

This is at least an interesting story, but everything about bringing it to the screen is incompetent, save Debbie Reynolds' voice.The animation was crude even for its time, and the songs have no heft or hook.But the story! If you don't know it, here it is:A pig with no particular value is the focus. It is made clear that this is actually someone (yes, we are talking about people here) with fewer gifts than the average. He's a runt and would have been killed at birth. Throughout, he never grows into someone that can accomplish anything. This is a key element of the setup. In your normal children's story of the era, all beings are special, extraordinary: The ugly ducking becomes a swan. The chargirl becomes a wise queen. The younger brother solves the mystery.But here, this pig has no special qualities at the beginning, nor at the end. It is important that he be completely worthless, a simpleton, throughout the story. Otherwise, the "nothing should be killed regardless how worthless" device to work.The magic of the story is that he is saved by an effect that has nothing whatever with his doing. Something else creates a word not even of his choosing -- he doesn't even know what it means. People, instead of marveling over the spider who can read, write and speak, instead read the words and assign its meaning without question or examination of the "story channel" through which it came.This is a very peculiar phenomenon, now much tested in a scientific way. We usually think of it in terms of "if its in paper (or on TeeVee) it must be true." But the perceptual flaw is deeper. If it is in words; if it is a story, we accept the reality of it.That makes this is a tiny essay on the main tricks of misdirected value in storytelling and hence film-making. That people accept it as a children's story, sort of proves the point now doesn't it?Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.