THE WATER BABIES
UK, 1978, 105 minutes, Colour.
Tommy Pender, Samantha Gates, James Mason, Bernard Cribbins, Billie Whitelaw, David Tomlinson, Joan Greenwood. Voices: Jon Pertwee, Olive Gregg, Lance Percival, David Jason, Una Stubbs.
Directed by Lionel Jeffries.
The Water Babies is one of several successful films for children and families directed by actor Lionel Jeffries. His films include The Railway Children, The Amazing Mre Blunden and Wombling Free. He also directed a very interesting adults’ film about a spoilt and seemingly retarded boy, Baxter.
The Water Babies is a mixture of 19th century live presentation and animation done by Polish studios. James Mason and Bernard Cribbens enjoy themselves as the villains. There Is a rare glimpse of David Tomlinson and Joan Greenwood as the owners of Harthover Hall. Billie Whitelaw is excellent as Mrs Tripp in several disguises. The animation is pleasing, though it does seem somewhat at variance with the 19th century atmosphere of the live action. Jon Pertwee, Una Stubbs and Lance Percival are among the voices used for the animated sequences. A film for younger audiences.
1. The appeal of the film? For what audience was it made? The response of young children, older children, adults? Overseas audiences compared with British audiences? Expectations from Kingsley's classic? How was the film geared to family audiences?
2. How successful a presentation of a 19tho century fairy story classic for children? Using the devices of 20th century cinema? The presentation of the period and its drama? The use of animated sequences and the creation of characters, songs, choreography, humour? How well did live action blend with animation?
3. The attention given to creating 19th century period? The city, the countryside and its detail, carnivals, gypsies, stately mansions, the countryside itself? Décor, costumes? Ugliness and beauty of the 19th century in England?
4. The presentation of Mrs Grimes and Mr Masterman? Mr Grimes as a ruffian and hard-drinking bully? James Mason's style as Mr. Grimes? The brains behind the robbery? Mr. Masterman as his assistant and less intelligent approach to the robberies? Their hold over Tom? Their using him, their excusing themselves when blame was put on them, their pursuit of Tom, their comeuppance at the end? What had they represented in the oppressive atmosphere of the 19th century? Villains getting justice at the end? Their manner, villainy, cruelty, hypocrisy?
5. How attractive was Tom the hero? His name as Thomas Aquinas Something-or-other? Tom's having to work with Mrs Grimes and Mrs Masterman? His skill as a chimneysweep? His encounter with the strange woman at the carnival, the witch? His encounter with the little girl of the house? His being blamed for the robbery, his running away and its hardships, his going into the river and seeming to drown? The importance of his experience and dream, the people that he met, his good deed. his being saved?
6. How attractive was the little girl of the house? The contrast in gentility, the wealth of her home, her concern for Tom, her chasing him to save him?
7. The presentation of the lord and lady of Harthover House? Wealth, manner, concern about the robbery, the pursuit of Tom, the happy ending?
8. The importance of Mrs Tripp? The same actress present in the various disguises? The importance of her presence and her watching over Tom? The role of a servant, her magic?
9. How enjoyable were Tom's adventures under the sea? The various types that he met? The quality and colour of the animation, the songs, the humour, the range of adventures?
10. Comment on the various people that he met and the humorous parody with human characters ? Claude the dashing French swordfish, Terence the lonely seahorse, Jock the Scots lobster? The contrast with the evil shark and his henchman Eel? Cyril the walrus, Archie the polar bear? The importance of King Neptune and the choice for Tom and his going to the rescue of the Water Babies? How enjoyable the fantasy?
11. The happy ending, Tom's recovery? His reinstatement? How pleasing was the story in itself, the delight of a fairy tale, the teaching of the moral fable about honesty and heroism?
