James and the Giant Peach (1996)

An orphan, who lives with his two cruel aunts, befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.

Director:

Henry Selick

Writers:

Roald Dahl (based on the book by), Karey Kirkpatrick (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Terry, Joanna Lumley, Pete Postlethwaite

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simon Callow	...	Grasshopper (voice)
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Centipede (voice)
Jane Leeves	...	Ladybug (voice)
Joanna Lumley	...	Aunt Spiker
Miriam Margolyes	...	Aunt Sponge / Glowworm (voice)
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Old Man
Susan Sarandon	...	Spider (voice)
Paul Terry	...	James
David Thewlis	...	Earthworm (voice)
J. Stephen Coyle	...	Reporter #2
Steven Culp	...	James' Father
Cirocco Dunlap	...	Girl with Telescope
Michael Girardin	...	Reporter #1
Tony Haney	...	Reporter #3
Kathryn Howell	...	Woman in Bathrobe (as Kathrine Howell)

Storyline

James' happy life at the English seaside is rudely ended when his parents are killed by a rhinoceros and he goes to live with his two horrid aunts. Daringly saving the life of a spider he comes into possession of magic boiled crocodile tongues, after which an enormous peach starts to grow in the garden. Venturing inside he meets not only the spider but a number of new friends including a ladybug and a centipede who help him with his plan to try and get to New York.

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Plot Keywords:

peach | aunt | spider | rhinoceros | new york city | 

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Taglines:

If you really don't go to the movies, you won't see...

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some frightening images

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

James e o Pêssego Gigante

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$38,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$135,378, 26 July 1996

Gross USA:

$28,934,758

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Allied Filmmakers, Skellington Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Miriam Margolyes is the second actor/actress in a Disney live action movie to provide both a live-action role and a voice-over role. The first would be James Baskett in Song of the South (1946).

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Goofs

When James is going to release the candle balloon, the candle is lying inside the balloon. In the next shot, the candle is standing upright on the chair next to the balloon.

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Quotes

Aunt Sponge: Here he is. Get up, you little worm! We sent you out here to kill a spider!
Aunt Spiker: Not to laze about.
James: I wasn't lazing about, I tripped.
Aunt Sponge: How dare you disagree with us?
Aunt Spiker: Beat him, Sponge!
[comes to him, grabs him]
Aunt Sponge: [sighs] It's too early.
Aunt Spiker: Well, that makes you the luckiest boy alive. Now, come inside and get dressed!

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, there is some footage of a carnival game based on the story being played.

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Alternate Versions

The 3D version, as well as the 2012 DVD and Blu-ray releases, replaces the Disney logo with the more current logo.

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Connections

Featured in Atop the Fourth Wall: Superman: Distant Fires (2011)

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Soundtracks

That's The Life
Written by Randy Newman
Performed by Richard Dreyfuss (uncredited), Susan Sarandon (uncredited), Jane Leeves (uncredited), Simon Callow (uncredited), and Miriam Margolyes (uncredited)
Additional vocals by Jeff Bennett and Sally Stevens

User Reviews

Just OK

I wanted to watch this movie for a while. There are not many around animated this way and I did love The Nightmare before Christmas and Coraline. So, I finally gave it a try. I was not particularly impressed. I found the story somehow bland and uninspiring. Also, any little moral message in it is basically lost in a number of events that I presume are supposed to be exciting but are rather dull. The songs are not really bad, although they don't save the film. Perhaps I'm just too old for this, although I still love other family films like the ones mentioned at the beginning. I find this film just OK, I wouldn't watch it again.