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The Water Babies

  • 1978
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
The Water Babies (1978)
This children's fantasy tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who discovers a complex underwater world where young children are held prisoner by an evil shark and an eel.
Play trailer1:41
1 Video
2 Photos
AnimationAdventureFamily

This children's fantasy tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who discovers a complex underwater world where young children are held prisoner by an evil shark and an eel.This children's fantasy tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who discovers a complex underwater world where young children are held prisoner by an evil shark and an eel.This children's fantasy tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who discovers a complex underwater world where young children are held prisoner by an evil shark and an eel.

  • Directors
    • Lionel Jeffries
    • Miroslaw Kijowicz
  • Writers
    • Michael Robson
    • Charles Kingsley
    • Lionel Jeffries
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Bernard Cribbins
    • Billie Whitelaw
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Lionel Jeffries
      • Miroslaw Kijowicz
    • Writers
      • Michael Robson
      • Charles Kingsley
      • Lionel Jeffries
    • Stars
      • James Mason
      • Bernard Cribbins
      • Billie Whitelaw
    • 39User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    Watch Trailer

    Photos

    The Water Babies (1978)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Mr. Grimes…
    Bernard Cribbins
    Bernard Cribbins
    • Mr. Masterman…
    Billie Whitelaw
    Billie Whitelaw
    • Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby…
    Joan Greenwood
    Joan Greenwood
    • Lady Harriet
    David Tomlinson
    David Tomlinson
    • Sir John…
    Tommy Pender
    • Tom
    Samantha Gates
    • Elly…
    Paul Luty
    Paul Luty
    • Sladd…
    Jon Pertwee
    Jon Pertwee
    • Salmon
    • (voice)
    • …
    Olive Gregg
      Lance Percival
      • Terence the Sea Horse
      • (voice)
      David Jason
      David Jason
      • Cyril the Walrus
      • (voice)
      Cass Allan
        Liz Proud
          Una Stubbs
          Una Stubbs
            Ignacy Machowski
            Ignacy Machowski
            • Grimes
            • (polish version)
            • (voice)
            Tadeusz Plucinski
            Tadeusz Plucinski
            • Foreman
            • (polish version)
            • (voice)
            Jerzy Tkaczyk
            • Sir John
            • (polish version)
            • (voice)
            • Directors
              • Lionel Jeffries
              • Miroslaw Kijowicz
            • Writers
              • Michael Robson
              • Charles Kingsley
              • Lionel Jeffries
            • All cast & crew
            • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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            Storyline

            Edit

            Did you know

            Edit
            • Trivia
              The film was made and released about 115 years after its source novel of the same name by Charles Kingsley had been first published in its entirety in 1863.
            • Goofs
              When Tom and the lobster are singing "High Cockalorum" for the first time, Tom's mouth is opening and closing when he is not actually saying anything. Likewise, his mouth is shut when he is saying something.
            • Quotes

              Tom: [running back and forth on the roof] Me brush! Where's me brush! I'll get clouted if I can't find me brush!

            • Crazy credits
              The movie's opening credits summarizes in illustrations of "A Story of a Little Chimney Sweep in the Year 1850". While the chimney sweeper is climbing:
              • The live-action cast members is portrayed in oval picture frames.
              • For the "animated sequences" credits, it shows the design of Tom ( Tommy Pender ), in his underwater design, and the design of the Otter.
              The credits end at the top of the chimney, in which it cuts to the real chimney for the opening shot.
            • Connections
              Referenced in Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
            • Soundtracks
              The Water Babies
              Music by Phil Coulter

              Lyrics by Bill Martin

            User reviews39

            Review
            Review
            Featured review
            9/10
            Good all round film!
            I read the above comment and cannot believe it! Of course its a children's movie, its an adaptation of a children's book!! This film IS easy to get a hold of, try play.com or amazon and its very easy to gain a copy! The jokes are hilarious for kids and adults alike, and the adventure is clean with no violence! Its completely suitable for children of all ages! The songs are fab, and yes, a little repetitive but thats what children need and whilst watching it my little ones were heard singing "hi hi cocalorum" all night! They loved it, a story of innocence and friendship! Very lovely and well worth watching for kids and adults of all ages!
            helpful•16
            4
            • melop
            • Nov 11, 2005

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            FAQ3

            • Is "The Water Babies" based on a book?
            • Is "The Water Babies" available for reading online?
            • What does "High Cockalorum" mean?

            Details

            Edit
            • Release date
              • June 15, 1979 (United States)
            • Countries of origin
              • Poland
              • United Kingdom
            • Language
              • English
            • Also known as
              • Der kleine Schornsteinfeger auf dem Meeresgrund
            • Filming locations
              • York, North Yorkshire, England, UK(Market scene)
            • Production companies
              • Ariadne
              • Studio Miniatur Filmowych
            • See more company credits at IMDbPro

            Technical specs

            Edit
            • Runtime
              1 hour 34 minutes
            • Color
              • Color
            • Sound mix
              • Mono
            • Aspect ratio
              • 1.66 : 1

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