Charlotte’s Web, E. B. White’s enchanting children’s novel, has been adapted into an equally enchanting film by screenwriters Susannah Grant and Karey Kirkpatrick. The movie also benefits from Gary Winick’s skillful direction.

Fern (Dakota Fanning) tries desperately to stop her father (Kevin Anderson) from using his axe to kill the runt in a litter of newborn pigs, but the man reverses this decision when his daughter says she will take sole responsibility for caring for it.

As Fern gets ready for school the next day, she tucks the piglet she’s named Wilbur (voiced by Dominic Scott Kay) underneath her jacket. At school, she tries to hide the cute little creature inside her desk but is caught by her teacher when Wilbur makes noises.

Later, Fern’s father explains to his daughter about having to sell many of the farm’s animals to afford harvesting equipment. Unfortunately, there’s not enough space in the barn for the equipment and for Wilbur -- who is rapidly approaching adult size. He tells Fern he must break his promise about allowing her to raise Wilbur on her own. Fern fears that Wilbur will die if her father sells him. Luckily, her Uncle Homer Zuckerman (Gary Basaraba) owns a farm across the road and has room for the pig.

Wilbur asks the other animals in Homer’s barn to play with him but quickly learns they don’t want to associate with him. They cannot fathom why he’s so happy when he’s destined to become smoked ham or bacon. One evening, Wilbur can’t sleep because Fern didn’t stop to visit him. A spider named Charlotte (voiced by Julia Roberts) has become increasingly distracted by Wilbur’s pacing and is unable to complete her web because of the pig’s behavior. She addresses Wilbur, who cannot see her in the dark, and promises him she will introduce herself in the morning if he will go to sleep and let her complete her work.

How does Wilbur learn about his dreadful fate? From a rat named Templeton (voiced by Steve Buscemi) who tells Wilbur what it means to become a “spring pig.” Templeton explains that pigs born in the spring end up being eaten by humans prior to the first snowfall of the year. 

Charlotte knows she is the only one who can prevent Wilbur’s death sentence from being carried out. She decides to incorporate the words “Some Pig” into her web, hoping this message results in the Zuckermans  allowing Wilbur to live. Will her strategy succeed? 

Charlotte’s Web boasts a stellar ensemble, but Dakota Fanning’s performance is eclipsed here by strong voice work from Robert Redford, John Cleese, Buscemi and other actors who lend their voices to the animals residing in Zuckerman's barn.

(Released by Paramount Pictures and rated “G” for general audiences.)