Charlotte's Web (U) Adaptation of E.B. White's classic tale about a naive little pig, starring Dakota Fanning.

IN CHARLOTTE'S Web, a very small pig finds that the most powerful force in the world is the bond of friendship. After young Fern (Dakota Fanning) rescues Wilbur the pig - who is almost sacrificed as the runt of the litter - he becomes the newest addition to the barnyard.

Wilbur has a youthful manner that makes him seem naïve to the other animals in his new barn, but to Charlotte - the spider who lives in the rafters - he holds the possibility of being a friend.

Their developing friendship is shown to be a lasting one when the other animals reveal that the pig's days are numbered. It seems that only a miracle will save Wilbur's life, but a determined Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving.

Based on the best-selling children's paperback of all time, E.B. White's magical, beloved story of loyalty and sacrifice comes to life in this live-action adaptation.

Dakota Fanning stars as Fern Arable, the first person to see Wilbur for the terrific, radiant, and humble pig he is, while Julia Roberts is the voice of Charlotte, who becomes Wilbur's best friend and saviour.

Also joining as cast voices for Charlotte's Web are Steve Buscemi as the barn's sardonic rat, Templeton; Oprah Winfrey as Gussy, the barn's maternal-yet-irreverent goose; Cedric the Entertainer as Golly, Gussy's gander; John Cleese as Samuel, the authoritarian sheep; Robert Redford as Ike, the arachnophobic horse; Kathy Bates and Reba McEntire as the barn's sarcastic cows, Bitsy and Betsy; and Thomas Haden Church and André Benjamin as the dim-witted crows, Brooks and Elwyn.

Since its publication in 1952, Charlotte's Web has sold 45 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 23 languages.

"When kids read the book, it becomes their introduction to the cycle of life," says Dakota Fanning. "There are so many messages to the book and the movie. I'm honoured that I got to bring Fern to life."

The 12-year-old Fanning completely understands Fern's fawning behaviour as Wilbur's caretaker. "I know if I had a dog or a pig or a cat, I would dress it up and put it in a baby carriage and stroll around," she laughs. "Fern and I are both very motherly in that way."

"I remember my old hardcover edition of the book, with the etching of Fern and Wilbur on the cover," says Julia Roberts, who brings voice to Charlotte, the spider that saves Wilbur's life.

"It's a classic story and I'm excited to bring it to a new generation in this way."

Director Gary Winick says: "When I went back and re-read the book - the first time I'd read it since I was a child - I knew it was a project that I wanted to make. This is a big event movie, but at the same time it's a small, intimate story.

"Charlotte's Web is one of the most wonderful stories about friendship. Even though it's between a spider and a pig, I just treated it like any other relationship."

Winick notes that the commitment to the book's emotional centre is displayed not only in the film's screenplay, but also in the way the movie was made.

Most of the animals in the film are not computer-generated, but live-action - after photography, a team of very talented computer animators used cinema magic to enhance the movie.

"Certainly, there's a visual effects element - animals talk. But the emotional heart of the book is also the heart of our film," he says. "That's what drew all of us to this project."

Roberts, embarking on her first vocal performance of an animated character, understood the importance of her portrayal of the adored arachnid, Charlotte.

"I was intimidated by the character at first," admits the actress. "You want to capture her essence, which is so complicated and interesting, and yet she really is a spider. So it was definitely tricky."

Still, she loves the idea that a new generation of children will be introduced to this classic tale. "The book is about the most timeless concepts of our lives: fairness, compassion, understanding, and a willingness to stand up for what you believe in," says Roberts.

"Even Templeton, the most rotten of the bunch, can't help but participate in what's right. That's what sustains a story like this; those themes resonate forever."