Product Details

• Actors: James Mason, Bernard Cribbins, Billie Whitelaw, Joan Greenwood, David Tomlinson
• Directors: Lionel Jeffries
• Writers: Lionel Jeffries, Charles Kingsley, Denis Norden, Michael Robson
• Producers: Ben Arbeid, Peter Shaw
• Format: Animated, Color, DVD, Live, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: February 4, 2003
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00007GZR9
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,848 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #31 in	Movies & TV > Animation > Mixed
  #40 in	Movies & TV > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Fairy Tales

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
What happens when a young boy named Tom, apprenticed as a chimney sweep, gets framed for theft in 1850s England? Even though a young girl named Ellie knows the real thieves' identities and tries to clear Tom's name, Tom's desperate escape run lands him right in the middle of Dead Man's Pool. Assumed to have met certain death, Tom gets sucked into a magical underwater world. Tom befriends the creatures he meets beneath the sea, and they accompany him on a journey to the land of Water Babies, where he intends to ask the all-powerful Cracken to help him return to the world above the water. Tom encounters many difficulties along the way, but he eventually arrives in the world of the Water Babies, only to watch an evil shark and eel capture his new friends. Cracken forces Tom to choose between his own return to the world and the freedom of the Water Babies. Tom wisely chooses the Water Babies' freedom, winning his own return in the process. Life is far from idyllic when Tom returns to land, but eventually the quick-thinking boy clears his name, traps the real thieves, and wins a place in Ellie's affluent family. Many adults possess fond memories of seeing this 1978 movie as children. The land portions of this 85-minute musical feature live-action footage, while the water sequence is fully animated. To a fresh, modern audience, the abrupt change from one format to the other is somewhat disconcerting, as is the choppy, older animation style. The story, based on the classic children's book of the same name by Charles Kingsley, is an intriguing look at both Victorian culture and the fantasy world. (Ages 4-8) --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description
Dive beneath the wavesand beyond your wildest dreamsto an underwater playground overflowing with adventure! Featuring a magical mix of live action and animation, The Water Babies is the most fun you'll have aboveand belowsea level! When 12-year-old Tom jumps into a swirling stream, he is suddenly swept away to a fantastical place filled with music, excitement and colorful characters. Frolicking with the fish, singing with the squid and cavorting with the crabs, Tom's as happy as a clam until he grows lonesome for his friends back home. To get to solid ground, Tom must findthe Water Babiesa group of fun-loving children who live far across the ocean. For only the WaterBabies can take Tom to the great Lord of the Seathe one creature powerful enough to make his every wish come true!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I finally found it!!!, April 28, 2002

By	Richard P. Luzietti "crombie001" (Plainville, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Water Babies [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I can't beleive I'm not the only one who has been searching for this movie and finally stumbled upon it. It's CRAZY!!!

Like many others, I saw this film back in the late 70's when I was about 7 or 8. Im 29 now and have been carrying the "Hicocalorum" tune in my head for over 20 years. I first started searching for the movie about 15 years ago (or so) but couldn't remember the name. I'd bug everyone with a scant memory of the plot and songs, but noone knew what the heck I was talkin about. Then I'd stop, but every year or so I'd recall the song, and try desparately to find out the movie title again.

I remember thinking, I would give ANYTHING to have a copy of this movie. I think I remember seeing it on HBO around the time Dot and the Kangaroo was on.

Then, just today, I stumbled onto a website called Yesterdayland, where they keep a database and message board of nostalgia from every decade. I swept thru the listings but couldnt find anything (heck, I didnt even know the title). So, as a long shot, I left a quick note on their message board (with what little info I could remember), and sure enough, within an hour, someone replied with the title "Waterbabies".

I cruised on over to Amazon.com, and what the heck....It's still available!!!! For 10 bucks no less!!!!

So now, I am eagerly awaiting it in the mail, so I can finally relive some of my childhood. What away to go back in time!!!!!

I may have to order a few more copies ([at a bargin price]), just to have as a back up!!!

Hope more long time searchers find this movie...

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Great Movie, November 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Water Babies (1978) (Clam) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

My step mom first told me about this movie. She said she saw it when she was a little girl and it was one of her favorites. We could never find it on video, so one day about 7 years ago, it came on television. My step mom told my brother and I to watch it. We loved it! The characters were so cute and the songs were so funny. It was almost magical. We still remember the movie well. And when our step mom found it on Amazon, we were so exicted! We can't wait to watch it with our little step brothers!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unforgettable adventure, December 4, 1999

By	Rebecca Kerr (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Water Babies [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I also remember this movie from my childhood. I have been looking for it for years and have finally found it! I can't wait for my son to see this and share in the fun. Out of all the movies I have seen as a child, this is the only one that really stands out in my memory. I loved it!