Customer Reviews

Masterpiece Theatre: The Wind in the Willows

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is perhaps my favorite book of all time. This version stays fairly close to the book, although much is skipped over for time purposes. The incredible lyricism of the book is almost entirely lost in this rendition, unfortunately. However, Matt Lucas' Toad is, if possible, even funnier than in the book. Side splittingly, tear jerkingly funny. He is a joy to watch. I was disappointed that they completely glossed over my favorite chapter of the book - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, but that might be hard to do justice in video/film form. Suitable for kids, adults will be disappointed if looking for a dramatic masterpiece. If you haven't read the book - do so. If you've read it to your kids, they will enjoy this video.

I saw this version when it originaly aired on PBS and I was very imppressed . My favorite actor was Matt Lucas Of Little Britain fame . He made the movie for me . Not to mention the great Bob Hoskins . I wish I remembered the other actors names seeing that they were great in their roles as well . If you are a fan of the original story or the other versions you will probably like this one as well .

This actor based version of this timeless classic is first rate. Wonderful production and acting.

This re-telling of a classic was absolutely wonderful! We enjoyed it immensely, and laughed throughout the story. The use of human actors who take on a bit of animal characteristics (not unlike in the story where the animals take on very human characteristics) added so much to this production.

As mentioned before, Toad was absolutely spectacular, and really defined the character for the audience. I loved this, and after seeing it on PBS, am purchasing the DVD for home use.

This is a absolutely delightful version of the tales that gains it's strength from not being animated and the incredible performances of all of the real actors, particularly Toad and Badger. The tiniest tot to ancient adults will be enraptured by humans playing animals and the human actors allow the satire of the original stories to shine through. Don't miss it unless you care to wait for the HD version to come out which was even richer when shown originally by PBS in HD.

The Wind in the WIllows is a complex and beautiful tale. When producers are forced to boil it down into about 90 minutes a great deal of the substance of the story is lost. In this version "The Piper At The Gates of Dawn" and "Dulce Domum" are completely deleted, and some characters like Otter are also missing or barely covered.

Nevertheless this is a fine TV production which is faithful to much of the spirit and all of the beauty of the book. It is set in an Elysian Field of a countryside along a beautiful stream where it always seems to be fair weather. The primary cast is limited to Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger, with a number of smaller parts including an appropriately deviant looking group of Weasels and Stoats. No one wears an animal costume, but the characteristics of each animal is well portrayed: Rat the country middle class gentleman, Toad the nouveau riche upstart, Badger the aristocrat, and Mole the somewhat proletarian but rising fast arriviste. The story primarily focusses on Toad and his adventures, which are appropriately hilarious.

While this production will never replace the book, it will entertain and amuse on its own, and more importantly, help to introduce Grahsme's story to new readers.

This movie is a treat--an imaginative combination of theatrical costumes and movie techniques. I would recommend it to adults and to any child old enough to have enjoyed the actual Kenneth Grahame book. I would watch it with the kid. It does have a shadow side--it's not a cartoon. Mr. Toad is not psychotic, but he's certainly bipolar. His friends care about him even though they get inconvenienced and annoyed. The stoats and weasels lurk and lurch--but like good storybook villains, they get scared off . Moley is timid and it's hard to get him out of his comfort zone (underground in the meadow) but when his friends urge him on, his world expands and he has adventures. Mr. Badger has courage and he's gruff at times, but he brings order out of chaos and knows when to fight and when to fall back. The situations and lesser characters are just plain funny--the jailer's daughter, so pretty despite bad teeth, the aunt who's---a---washerwoman, the flirty flinty train engineer, the tough barge woman who matches wits with Toad, and the adorable upper class couple who lose their roadster to Toad not once but twice. Toad's highs are higher than anybody's, and his lows are very low, but who has more fun than Toad?

i have watched this show over and over and still cannot get enough it is the best show i have seen on masterpeice theatre the actor who portrays toad is excellent as are the others the english seem to bury their hollywood counterparts and this is no exception strongly recommend it

Although limited in comparison to the book, I was delighted with this quirky, simple film, the sets, the costuming, the directing, and the truly wonderful cast! It took me back to childhood, and made me giggle and smile throughout--and what in life is better than a few giggles and smiles?!

This is not made for children. Gorgeous scenery. I bought the movie, thinking that since real actors and not kiddish cartooning was featured, that there would be a serious rendition of the book. The constant harping on Mr. Toad's psychotic behavior was entertaining but too much like all other rendtions: too in the face. Two grand chapters were cut from this movie and thus a great deal of the heart of the story are gone. Really left the story askew and slanted. We get to experience Mr. Toad's puffed up personality but not Ratty's yearning to go out into the wide world and we don't experience Mole's deep need for home or the animal's encounter with their own deity. Quite sad that this honorable book is treated so shabbily.