- Actors: James Mason, Bernard Cribbins, Billie Whitelaw, Joan Greenwood, David Tomlinson
- Directors: Lionel Jeffries
- Format: PAL
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: U
- Studio: Prism Leisure Corporation
- DVD Release Date: 1 Sep 2003
- Run Time: 90 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0000AM778
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 48,329 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Water Babies tells the story of Tom, a chimney sweep who gets framed for theft in 1850s England. Even though a young girl named Ellie knows the real thieves' identities and tries to clear Tom's name, Tom's desperate escape run lands him right in the middle of Dead Man's Pool. Assumed to have met certain death, Tom gets sucked into a magical underwater world. Tom befriends the creatures he meets beneath the sea, and they accompany him on a journey to the land of Water Babies, where he intends to ask the all-powerful Cracken to help him return to the world above the water. However, when Tom finally does manage to return to land, life is far from idyllic as he must set out clear his name and trap the real thieves.
Many adults possess fond memories of seeing this 1978 movie as children. The land portions of this musical feature live-action footage, while the water sequence is fully animated. To a fresh, modern audience, the abrupt change from one format to the other is somewhat disconcerting, as is the choppy, older animation style. The story, based on the classic children's book of the same name by Charles Kingsley, is an intriguing look at both Victorian culture and the fantasy world. (Ages 4-8) --Tami Horiuchi, Amazon.com
Product Description
Bernard Cribbins, James Mason This timeless children's story tells the classic tale of 12 year old Tom who is apprentice to the cruel Master Chimney Sweep Grimes. Whilst Tom busily sweeps chimneys, Grimes and his sidekick Masterman steal from their customers. When Tom is unfairly accused of stealing he escapes by running away and leaping into the water of Dead Man's Pool. A magical adventure then begins for Tom as he befriends the Water Babies who live in the pool and helps to save them from the nasty Shark and the Electric Eel. Special Features Chapter/Scene Selection Photo Gallery Trailer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
I have the water babies since i was a verry little girl, and the story has always intrigued me. It's a great childrens film that i feel adults can also enjoy. Just one point, if you really enjoyed the film i would recommened you not to read the book. I have read it recently thanks to this film, but i discovered from the offset that the film is extremely different to the book and i cannot watch the film in the same light ever again. Overall a great film all the family will enjoy and watch over and over again.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Take a star off the rating if you didn't see this when you were a youngester is the basic truth.
I got this as it filled me with nostlagia - being shoved in front of the TV on wet winter afternoons with some buttered crumpets and my sister. We loved it.
Truth be told it's a little bit rubbish seeing it now. The live action segemts are well done and James Mason, Billie Whitelaw & Bernard Cribbins all do good jobs. The animation though is shcoking - and really, really, really hurried! The best song 'Ay Cockalorum' is reprised FOUR times!!!
Have to be brutally truthful though - it still made me grin from ear to ear. I reckon smaller children nowadays would still enjoy it too, but anyone over 8 might spot the poor production values and shoddy animation.
So fun for the very young or for those heading for memory lane.
I got this as it filled me with nostlagia - being shoved in front of the TV on wet winter afternoons with some buttered crumpets and my sister. We loved it.
Truth be told it's a little bit rubbish seeing it now. The live action segemts are well done and James Mason, Billie Whitelaw & Bernard Cribbins all do good jobs. The animation though is shcoking - and really, really, really hurried! The best song 'Ay Cockalorum' is reprised FOUR times!!!
Have to be brutally truthful though - it still made me grin from ear to ear. I reckon smaller children nowadays would still enjoy it too, but anyone over 8 might spot the poor production values and shoddy animation.
So fun for the very young or for those heading for memory lane.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
This is only the best childrens video that I have ever watched. The plot is disney, the songs are fantastic and I used to watch it every weekkend with my sister before my Mum and Dad got up! Highly recomended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Water babies original film as a DVD
Modern chilhood is inundated with cartoons. It is good for them to see the interaction of human actors with cartoon characters. We stil need actors!
Published 2 months ago by Christian
The Water Babies VHS
Received in perfect order and on time. Just what we wanted and is a great story for all ages - young and old
Published 8 months ago by Kevin
sweet
This is a good story and one that exposed the plight of chimney sweeps in industrial England. how ever i was disapointed with the cartoon section, there was no feeling in it. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Nina Sophia
The Water Babies
Saw this film years ago when I was a child, had it on VHS and really enjoyed it. Was glad I managed to get it on DVD, great story.
Published 14 months ago by Laura
Water Babies - for all ages.
I bought this dvd for my grandchildren as it was a strong favourite of my own children - watched repeatedly on video. Read more
Published 14 months ago by dvdGaGa
magical
i used to have this on vhs when i was a child, i bought it for my daughter and remembered what a magical film it is. my daughter is 2years old and loves it!!!
Published 15 months ago by aagrea
The Water Babaies
I have always loved this film and so did my children and now that I have it on dvd my grandchildren love it too
Published 15 months ago by Y. J. Walker
VERY GOOD FILM STANDS TEST OF TIME
BOTH OF MY SONS LOVED THIS FILM STILL VERY GOOD TO WATCH AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!!
Published 21 months ago by N J
The Water Babies
During my early childhood, this was one of those films that simply captivated me. Now i have it on DVD my little girl is just as enthraled with it as i still am.
Published 22 months ago by Highlander
nostalgic
I had a VHS recording of this which shows its age so since my girl turned 2 I showed it to her, she loves the film as I did as a kid and the DVD is exactly what I wanted. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2010 by ipfreely
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