Charlotte's Web (1973)

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Some people thought that Disney's Robin Hood was the only animated film from 1973, but we all know that's not entirely true. Several months before it, there came Charlotte's Web, based on EB White's book of the same name, produced by Hanna-Barbara and released by Paramount Pictures. It tells the story about a pig named Wilbur who learns he'll become food in the fall and becomes very sad, but faith would soon come to him in the form of spider named Charlotte who uses her web making skills to show the world that Wilbur is actually very special and not another meal on the table.For Hanna-Barbara's third animated film and first of three films not based on their shows and properties, I thought it was a pretty good animated film. The animation may not be Disney great as Hanna-Barbara was known for using Limited Animation seen in their TV shows, but it didn't bother me as kid and still doesn't as an adult and besides, you can't expect every animation studio to be like Disney. They have their own style at making animated features. The voice acting was good, same with the story, the songs by the Sherman Brothers, the music by Irwin Kostal, and the artwork. Even if it's not one of my favorite non-Disney animated films, it's still one the good animated films.

This is the very first film given to me on VHS as a child. I adored it then and now. There are cute characters, memorable songs and absolute heartbreak. (For all ages.) It is a good adaptation of the book which I also recommend. Paul Lynde easily steals as Templeton the rat. Debbie Reynolds (Charlotte), Agnes Moorehead (Goose) and Henry Gibson (Wilbur) are also perfectly cast. A gosling who wants to be just like Wilbur always makes me smile. There are tears at the start, tears in the middle and a great flood at the end so parental supervision for young or sensitive children is essential. However there are many comical moments too and the songs by the Sherman Brothers are mostly jolly. "Mother Earth and Father Time" is a haunting lullaby. One of the best animated musicals out there. Just have tissues ready.

When I was a kid, I remember watching this on video at my dad's old house. Then, a few years later, those days were long forgotten and for that, I've read the book it was based on and I think it's enchanting. Looking back at the movie, I think there are some problems it has, but despite that, I think this is a childhood favorite that holds up for me even as a young adult.The animation, while crude in some parts, is very lovely to look at. The music score is beautiful and the songs, aside from only two being out of place (not the best work the Sherman Brothers have made, but they're not the worst), are memorable and I would hum those tunes for over a decade. The story is timeless and is faithful to E.B. White's work; the characters are likable and the voice acting is top notch. Henry Gibson as Wilbur is endearing, Paul Lynde is very funny as Templeton, the scene-stealer of the movie and Debbie Reynolds is charming as Charlotte and her voice is beyond beautiful.Overall, Charlotte's Web isn't the best, but it's a memorable classic that has stayed with me since childhood. Recommended to others! :)

As a child, I fondly remembered Charlotte's Web, the animated version. I have no desire to see the live version. Debbie Reynolds will always be Charlotte, the creative brilliant spider, who befriends Wilbur. I remember Fern saving Wilbur from his own death and raising him as a baby. Once the runt grows a little, Fern is devastated to send him to a farm where he can with other animals. Although Fern does visit him, it's not the same as she cared for him like her baby. The animation is not brilliant because this film was done long before computers but it still holds up to the story and it always worth watching with young ones and even old ones. The animation is not first rate but it's not bad neither. It's not on par with animation today and don't expect it too. But it's not about how computers can brilliantly animate where we don't need live actors or actresses, the story here is faithful to the E.B. White's novel classic and it is respected here. You can't help but tear up at the end.