The main characters in E.B. White’s classic “Charlotte’s Web” are animals who live on a farm. It’s a simple, moving tale of loyalty, trust and sacrifice. And the film version, which opened Dec. 15, 2006, brought the book’s characters to life.
The HSUS believes the film will also help bring messages about real farm animals to life, as well, so we were delighted when Walden Media and Paramount agreed to work with us to bring a special message about the film—and farm animals—to our supporters and friends.
We interviewed several of the key cast members for an HSUS video with exclusive comments from Dakota Fanning (Fern), Cedric the Entertainer (Golly the goose), and Steve Buscemi (Templeton the rat) about their thoughts about animals, and about the messages in the film. An interview with Dakota will also be featured in the April issue of KIND News.
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Dakota Fanning as Fern |
The HSUS believes that audiences who see “Charlotte’s Web” will empathize with the animal characters and will think about the lives of farm animals. Miyun Park, vice president of Farm Animal Welfare at The HSUS, noted, “The animals in the film share many of the charming, complex, and sophisticated characteristics of real pigs, cows, and other farm animals, so we’re thrilled the film gives viewers an inside look at these animals. But it’s important for people to know that life on Zuckerman’s farm is truly idyllic, compared to what the overwhelming majority of the country’s 10 billion farm animals endure on today’s industrialized factory farms. Our hope is that caring about Wilbur and all the other animals in the film will encourage people to learn what they can do to make life better for animals on the farm.”
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Wilbur and Charlotte |
As for the animals in the film, it’s only appropriate that they had their own happy endings. Producer Bernie Williams worked with a sanctuary in Australia to find all the animals loving, permanent homes.
"Charlotte's Web" is a production of The Kerner Entertainment Company and Nickelodeon Movies, presented by Paramount Pictures and Walden Media.
