Favorite Flicks: Charlotte's Web

© Paramount 1972
Running time: 94 min. Rated G
Debbie Reynolds, Paul Lynde

Based on the book Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White

PLOT

This animated musical celebrates the friendship between a sensitive pig named Wilbur, a gentle spider, Charlotte, and their human friend, Fern. Destined to be killed because he is the runt of the litter, Wilbur is saved when Fern begs her father for a chance to raise the tiny piglet. Her father relents, and Fern lovingly cares for Wilbur until he is sold to a neighboring farm. Lonely without Fern, Wilbur confesses to his new barnmates that he wants a friend. When an all-too-truthful sheep responds by telling him that he’s getting fat enough to kill for dinner, Charlotte takes pity on him. Not only does she become Wilbur’s closest friend, but she also develops a plan to save his life.

HUMANE MESSAGES & OTHER GOOD POINTS

• Portrays spiders, animals that are commonly maligned, in a positive light. For example, when Wilbur expresses disgust at her eating habits, Charlotte patiently explains her important role in nature.

• Explores nature’s seasons, from spring to winter and from birth to death, in a way that is neither depressing nor unsettling to children. While young viewers may be saddened by the movie’s ending, they will be uplifted by its overall message.

• Models responsible pet care and compassion for animals. Fern takes excellent care of Wilbur, treating him as a true friend and even, at times, as her child. After the pig is sold to Homer Zuckerman, Fern demonstrates her commitment by continuing to visit him. While she’s there, she develops a close bond with all of the farm’s animals.

• Features animal and human characters who cooperate and help one another, especially when it comes to saving Wilbur’s life. Even Templeton the wiseacre rat pitches in to help.

• Depicts farm animals as intelligent, sensitive, and worthy of a comfortable, happy life.

POINTS TO PONDER

From a humane perspective, few movies are perfect. Following are potential problems with the film that you may wish to address with your children or students.

• Fern’s father prepares to kill Wilbur, the runt of the litter, because "a weakling makes trouble." On the other hand, Fern’s mother comments that the pig probably wouldn’t survive anyway, and we see Wilbur struggling to squeeze in among his siblings to nurse.

• Henry’s mother declares that "pets are unsanitary" and has a negative attitude toward animals throughout the movie.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

There's nothing linke a good book. Before watching the movie, have students read Charlotte’s Web. Hold a classroom discussion in which students compare characteristics of the book and film. For more recommended reading, click here.

It's all in the attitude. Before your class watches Charlotte’s Web, take a poll to get a sense of students’ attitudes toward spiders. Some questions to ask include: What do you think of spiders? Are you afraid of them? Do you kill spiders when you see them? Ask the same questions again after the movie. Discuss why students’ attitudes may have changed.

Frightful or fascinating? Have students research fascinating facts about an animal they’re afraid of or dislike (most likely subjects include spiders, bats, snakes, and sharks). Ask students to write a report on what they’ve learned, and to decide if their feelings about that animal have changed.

Spider stories. For younger grades, read aloud Dream Weaver, by Jonathan London (Silver Whistle: Singapore, 1998). This picturebook describes a beautiful and fascinating orb spider from a young boy’s point of view. Older students may enjoy Adios Chi Chi: The Adventures of a Tarantula, by Carol A. Amato (Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 1996), in which a girl befriends a tarantula.

You never know when you'll meet a Charlotte. Teach children the cup-and-cardboard method of removing a spider or insect from the indoors. Place a cup over the critter and carefully slide a piece of cardboard underneath. Release the spider or insect outdoors, away from heavy traffic areas. (Note of caution: For safety’s sake, teach children how to identify brown recluse and black widow spiders. If students see one of these venomous species, instruct them to stay away and seek an adult.)