Babe is a charming family film released on 4 August 1995.
I love it and its sequel Babe: Pig in the City. But I find it fascinating coming from the man who brought us Mad Max and the “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” remake in Twilight Zone: The Movie. How does that happen?!
To be clear, George Miller didn’t direct Babe. He co-wrote and co-produced it. And the director, Chris Noonan, claimed that Miller tried to take credit for it. Miller denied this, “But when it comes to Babe, the vision was handed to Chris on a plate.” Film is a collaborative art form, so I don’t especially care. And Miller directed the sequel so, whatever.
I was thinking about yesterday’s blog post about John Landis. As Gertrude Stein would have said, “A film is a film is a film.” And this is why I have such a soft spot for Tobe Hooper. He clearly loved horror. And he made it to the end. (See Djinn; it’s great!) So I really shouldn’t be surprised by people like Landis and Miller. But I think it’s cool.
Miller also directed Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two, which most people would consider family films. And he directed the horror-comedy gem The Witches of Eastwick. But he will likely be remembered for the Mad Max films. I’ve only seen the first four. They are all excellent except for the third, which might be due to the untimely death of collaborator Byron Kennedy.
But let’s think about Babe today. Watch it for free!
Other 4 August Anniversaries
Filmmakers
- Don S Davis (1942-2008): Actor known for the TV shows Twin Peaks and Stargate SG-1.
- Billy Bob Thornton (1955-): Actor known for Chopper Chicks in Zombietown and A Simple Plan.
- Bernard Rose (1960-): Writer-director of many horror films including Candyman and the 2015 Frankenstein.
- John August (1970-): Screenwriter of a number of great films including Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Frankenweenie.
- Natasha Lyonne (1979-): The crush of every nerd in need of a little Tough Love. Known for Slums of Beverly Hills, Krippendorf’s Tribe, and more.
Films
- White Zombie (1932): If a woman doesn’t love you, turn her into a zombie who is easily led!
- Night of Dark Shadows (1971): Second of the Dark Shadows films.
- Super Fly (1972): A drug dealer tries to get out the business.
- Cannibal Apocalypse (1980): Virus turns people into cannibals.
- Virtuosity (1995): VR serial killers escape into the real world.
- Hollow Man (2000): Scientist invents invisibility but it drives him insane.
- Evil Eyes (2004): Screenwriter’s story comes to life.
- Motor Home Massacre (2005): Kids on vacation are attacked.
- The Ruins (2008): Outstanding teen horror film. Must see!
- Zombie Dearest (2009): Farmer finds zombie who will work for free.
Babe (1995) poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.
