Charlotte's Web (2006) (2006)
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78% of critics liked it
(142 reviews) -
67% of users liked it
(359,553 ratings)
E.B. White's classic children's story comes to the screen in this live-action adaptation with an all-star voice cast. Fern Arable (Dakota Fanning) is a young girl growing up on her family's farm. When a sow gives birth to some piglets, Fern's father (Kevin Anderson) intends to do… More E.B. White's classic children's story comes to the screen in this live-action adaptation with an all-star voice cast. Fern Arable (Dakota Fanning) is a young girl growing up on her family's farm. When a sow gives birth to some piglets, Fern's father (Kevin Anderson) intends to do away with the runt of litter, but Fern has become attached to the little pig and persuades her father to let him live. The pig, named Wilbur (voice of Dominic Scott Kay), becomes Fern's pet, but when he grows larger, he's put in the care of Homer Zuckerman (Gary Basaraba), a farmer down the road. Fern is still able to visit Wilbur regularly, and it soon occurs to both of them that pigs tend to have a limited life expectancy on a farm, and that unless something unusual happens, Wilbur will eventually becomes someone's dinner. Charlotte, a friendly spider, hatches a plan to make Wilbur seem special enough to save by weaving messages about the "terrific" pig into her web, and she soon persuades her barnyard friends to join in her plan. Charlotte is voiced by Julia Roberts, while the other actors who provide the voices of the animals on Zuckerman's farm include Robert Redford, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Buscemi, Kathy Bates, Cedric the Entertainer. Thomas Haden Church, and André Benjamin. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gary Winick
- Written By
- Susannah Grant, Karey Kirkpatrick
- Genres
- Drama, Animation, Kids & Family
- In Theaters
- Dec 15, 2006 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 3, 2007
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Youngsters will warm to the barn's talking animals and perhaps even shed a tear at the sight of a spider shuffling off the mortal coil. Arachnaphobes, though, are advised to approach with caution.
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Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
Any tears you may shed will be wholly earned.
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Tom Charity, CNN.com
I think what's most valuable here is the gentle reminder that lives are short, friendship is priceless and words can make a difference. The movie Charlotte's Web isn't a classic, but the message is.
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Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
There's too much talent and too strong a story to mess it up. There was potential for more here, but this incarnation is nothing to be ashamed of, and some of the actors answer the bell.
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Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Woe be to the child who doesn't mist up at this movie, since it's been made if not with zip, wit, or imagination, then at least with sweetness. But I hope no one will think the film is an adequate replacement for White's book. That would be a crime.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Julia Roberts
as Charlotte the Spider
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Steve Buscemi
as Templeton the Rat
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John Cleese
as Samuel the Sheep
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Oprah Winfrey
as Gussy the Goose
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Cedric the Entertainer
as Golly the Goose
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Kathy Bates
as Bitsy the Cow
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Reba McEntire
as Betsy the Cow
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Robert Redford
as Ike the Horse
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Thomas Haden Church
as Brooks the Crow
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André Benjamin
as Elwyn the Crow
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Dominic Scott Kay
as Wilbur
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Sam Shepard
as Narrator
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Abraham Benrubi
as Uncle the Pig
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Dakota Fanning
as Fern
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Kevin Anderson
as Mr. Arable
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Essie Davis
as Mrs. Arable
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Louis Corbett
as Avery
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Julian O'Donnell
as Henry Fussy
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Robyn Arthur
as Teacher
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Siobhan Fallon-Hogan
as Mrs. Zuckerman
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Gary Basaraba
as Homer Zuckerman
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Nate Mooney
as Lurvy
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Nicholas Bell
as Minister
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Beau Bridges
as Dr. Dorian
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Teague Rook
as Well Dressed Man
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Julia Zemiro
as Bystander
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Denise Kirby
as New Teacher
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Robert Plazek
as Ball Thrower
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Joseph Lotesto
as Young Boy
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Michael Roland
as Mayor
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Don Bridges
as Announcer
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Ian Watkin
as Fair Official
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Joel McCrary
as Sheep Group
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Brian Stepanek
as Sheep Group
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Fred Tatasciore
as Sheep Group
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Bradley White
as Sheep Group
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Maia Kirkpatrick
as Joy the Baby Spider
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Jennessa Rose
as Aranea the Baby Spider
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Briana Hodge
as Nellie the Baby Spider
- Jane Sibbett



