What Is Babe About?
The premise of Babe in 286 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the rolling countryside of rural England, a humble farm brims with the quiet rhythm of daily chores and the gentle hum of animal voices. The land is tended by Arthur Hoggett, a kind‑hearted farmer whose steady optimism shapes the atmosphere of the homestead. Life here follows familiar patterns—sheep graze on the hills, cows lumber in the pastures, and the barns echo with the soft chatter of livestock—all set against a backdrop of mist‑kissed fields and timeless tradition.
The story takes a turn when a modest county fair delivers an unexpected guest: a bright‑eyed piglet named Babe. Picked up on a whim, Babe is brought to the Hoggett farm where he quickly forms a deep bond with Fly, the wise and patient border collie who watches over the herd. Their friendship, punctuated by playful curiosity and gentle guidance, hints at a world where unlikely alliances can flourish amid the farm’s ordered routine.
Within this close‑knit community, Babe’s presence feels both charming and unsettling. While the farm operates on long‑standing roles—dogs herding sheep, pigs content to root in mud—Babe exhibits a surprising knack for understanding the movements of the flock. This budding talent sparks a quiet wonder: could a pig ever find a place among the traditional keepers of the countryside? The gentle humor and heartfelt warmth of the setting encourage audiences to wonder how far curiosity and determination might carry an outsider seeking acceptance.
The film’s tone blends tender comedy with earnest sentiment, inviting viewers into a world where simple pleasures and heartfelt connections drive the narrative. As Babe navigates the expectations of farm life, the story asks whether love, perseverance, and an open heart are enough to rewrite the rules of a close‑knitted rural community.
What Happens in Babe?
The complete story of Babe, from the first scene to the last, in 611 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
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.”
Babe Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Babe's Arrival” to “A Triumphant Conclusion”. 14 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
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.
Where:County Fair
- 2
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.
- 3
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.
Where:Hoggett's House
- 4
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.
When:Christmas Day Where:Hoggett's Farm
- 5
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.
When:Christmas Day Where:Fields
- 6
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.
Where:Barn
- 7
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.
Where:Fields
- 8
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.
Where:Fields
- 9
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.
Where:Fields
- 10
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.
Where:Hoggett's Farm
Show the other 5 events of Babe Hide the last 5 events
- 11
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.
Where:Cemetery
- 12
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.
Where:Hoggett's Farm
- 13
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.
Where:Competition Ground
- 14
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.
Where:Competition Ground
- 15
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.'
Where:Competition Ground
Who Are the Main Characters in Babe?
3 characters, among them Babe, Arthur Hoggett and Fly: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 2 of them link to the actor’s page.
- B
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
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Arthur Hoggett
Played by James Cromwell
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
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Fly
Played by Magda Szubanski
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
Where and When Is Babe Set?
Babe is set in Hoggett Farm and Local County Fair. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
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.
Where
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
What Are the Themes of Babe?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Friendship and Courage.
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01
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.
-
02
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.
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03
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.
What Kind of Film Is Babe?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A gentle and heartwarming family film that follows an orphaned pig's charming journey to find his place in the world, filled with whimsical animal characters and an uplifting message about defying expectations.
- heartwarming
- whimsical
- gentle
- uplifting
- comforting
- tender
- friendship
- animal protagonist
- proving oneself
- found family
Content notes: animal death.
Quiz
How well do you remember Babe? Test yourself on the story.
