This is a TV movie of the children's novel, "The Wind and the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932). From that book, another British author wrote a play that made Toad Hall well known in England. Alan A. Mile's (1882-1956) "Toad of Toad Hall" was first staged in London in 1929. From then on, the characters of "Willows" became household names in the U.K. Milne, of course, wrote his own children's' books and created Winnie the Pooh.
Grahame's fairy tale about four animals who became friends was soon a favorite of school children in the U.K. Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad entertain adults as well. Their animal lives are similar to those of humans. They talk and do just about everything that humans do. A cup of tea is as natural to them as it is to the citizenry of England
Toad's fascinations, first with a horse and wagon to explore the world, and then with racy automobiles, that lead to trouble. His friends have to keep him under lock and key to "dry" him out - that is, until he goes through withdrawal and gets over his craze. Anyone with alcohol or drug addiction experiences will recognize this aspect of the film right away.
Toad and his friends never became as popular in America (where other cartoon characters did, i.e. Winnie the Pooh, the "Peanuts" characters of Charles Schulz and other cartoon characters). Still, the fable is a classic that may amuse and delight young and old for generations. This film is made with stop-action animation.
The Wind in the Willows
1983
Adventure / Animation / Family / Fantasy
The Wind in the Willows
1983
Adventure / Animation / Family / Fantasy
Keywords: stop motion
Plot summary
One spring, Mole (Richard Pearson) decides that he can ignore the spring cleaning for a little longer, and begins a series of adventures with his new friend Rat (Ian Carmichael). They go for a picnic on the riverbank, on a caravan expedition with Toad (David Jason),until Toad switches allegiance to his new car and his reckless driving makes Mole and Rat search out Badger (Sir Michael Hordern) for help in curbing Toad's profligate habits. But Toad gets away from them and gets a twenty-year sentence from the magistrate for theft, reckless driving, and Gross Impertinence. While Toad works his wiles on the jailer's daughter and escapes from jail dressed as a washer woman, Badger tries to guard Toad Hall from the machinations of the Weasels and is badly beaten. And it requires a plan of attack and all four comrades to regain Toad Hall.
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Movie Reviews
British fable comes to life in this TV film
One of the best versions by far of the book
I say this as a lover of Kenneth Grahame's wonderful book, and I do agree wholeheartedly with anyone who says it is one of the best versions. The stop motion animation is very effectively rendered, while the writing and storytelling is absolutely excellent, while they remain loyal to the book's tone and details they also have a lot of charm and infectiousness about them.
The characters are immensely engaging and also stick to the characters of the book. And of course the voice acting is wonderful, especially David Jason who is a hoot as Toad.
Overall, this adaptation is wonderful and one of the best versions. If you haven't seen it, do, you will not regret it. 10/10 Bethany Cox
The Wind in the Willows
I have seen many different versions of Kenneth Grahame's famous and popular story of the river and the characters that live in it. This is the clay cartoon version where the characters (I think) are made of Plastercine and do not move much, unlike the Aardman Animations clay work. I think you know the story already. Mole gets out of his hole, meets Rat, they meet Toad, go in the wild wood, meet Badger, Toad goes to prison for nicking a motor car and so on and so forth. Toad is the only character I have always liked in and Wind in the Willows. This one is voiced very well by Sir David Jason. It won the BAFTA for Best Children's Programme (Entertainment/Drama) in 1984, and it was nominated the same award in 1985. A TV series followed this, which was was number 56 on The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows, and it was number 69 on The 100 Greatest Cartoons. Worth watching!