Review of Water Babies, The

Introduction

Tom is a chimney sweep in London - a young boy effectively enslaved to a cruel master, Grimes (James Mason) and his sidekick Masterman (Bernard Cribbins). Tom is subject to the kind of abuse that would be unthinkable today but was common 150 years ago and obviously deemed perfectly acceptable for children`s entertainment 21 years ago.

While doing a job at a stately house, Grimes tries to steal some of the family silver, gets caught and blames Tom. Tom runs away, chased by most of the household and, in desperation, flings himself into the depths of Dead Man`s Pool (not a particularly good example for the kiddies). Rather than drowning. Tom finds he is able to breathe underwater and embarks on various adventures with the denizens of the pool. He encounters a group of Water Babies and helps save them from an evil shark.

He returns to the real world in time to give Grimes and Masterman their comeuppance.

This late 70s children`s film is partly live action and partly cartoon (the underwater scenes). While the cast sounds good with James Mason, Billie Whitelaw and Jon Pertwee, it is a huge disappointment. The animation is basic, script leaden and acting wooden.

Video

Despite being less than 25 years old, the video quality is poor. The 4:3 image is consistently grainy. Colours are muted and unrealistic and some print damage is visible. These flaws are all the more obvious during the animation segments.

Audio

The audio is as bad as the video with a constant hiss audible under the mono soundtrack. In addition, the sound is rough and harsh. Dialogue is clearly understandable (although this is a dubious benefit).

In general, the music and songs are undistinguished. The one exception is the opening theme which is haunting and quite memorable.

Features

Other than a few trailers and a naff picture gallery, nothing.

Conclusion

Overall, The Water Babies is a dire film and a poor DVD.

The script is risible and features some content that I`m not sure is wholly appropriate for children (some of Tom`s treatment could be disturbing and the effective suicide is wholly unsuitable).

The acting is wooden. Bernard Cribbins was always a ham but James Mason should know better. Only Billie Whitelaw acquits herself with any dignity in a role which calls on her to stare madly (and do little else).

The animation is basic by today`s (or any) standard.

There is little here for children or their parents.