Customer Reviews

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a so-called kid's movie that's way too good for kids. It's based on the book The Wind in the Willows. Mr. Toad (Terry Jones) of Toad Hall loves fast cars, crazy inventions, and all the latest fads. He crashes his cars regularly and is spending more money that he has on his enthusiasms. And it seems the Chief Weasel (Antony Sher) and his cronies have been buying up the land Mr. Toad has had to sell. They're going to tear down Toad Hall and build a huge dog food factory in its place. The Chief Weasel plans that the first ingredients to be processed will be Toad and his friends, the meek but brave Mole (Steve Coogan), the picnic-loving, loyal Rat (Eric Idle), and the grumpy, advice-giving Badger (Nicol Williamson). The movie details with great humor their adventures to defeat the Chief Weasel and save Toad Hall.

What makes this movie so special is the loving care Jones took establishing the look of the place and the fullness of the characters. If you pay attention, you'll see some gentle takes on greed, the legal system (John Cleese is a defence attorney who makes an impassioned case in court that his client should receive the maximum sentence), 1984, the protection of our environment, taking responsibility for our actions, and friendship. And the movie is not ponderous or preachy at all. It's great fun.

Disney, which had U.S. rights to the film, did nothing with it. When they finally put it in theaters, after insisting the name be changed from The Wind in the Willows to the name of one of their park rides, they spent almost no marketing money on promotion. Not suprisingly, the movie tanked faster than Mr. Toad's tongue catching a fly.

I've watched it twice now, and skimmed through it again this morning. It should be considered a classic. Little kids would probably like the characters, the color and the action, but my target audience would start with slightly alienated and smart teenagers. They'll get it. And then move on to those adults who like adult things.

The DVD transfer is excellent.

I am not afraid to admit that I am an avid python fan. Been watching the stuff since... well, for more than just a few years, let's put it that way. Several years might be closer to the truth, though my parents would call that an understatement. I happened upon this film at a Monty Python fan site. As one of my goals happens to be to watch every Python-related film I can get my hands on, I went to the local hastings and rented it. I liked it. A lot. It was somewhat childish, but was not without its python influences (There is this one scene in which Mr. Toad is being led to jail and there are 2 guards punching each other in the background. If that's not Pythonesque, then I don't know what is). The songs were delightful, most of them anyway. I thought that altogether the whole thing was really creative. There are a few "violent" parts, such as fighting, and something having to do with a dog food factory that reminds me very much of Wallace & Gromit, but nothing that will lead your child to, say, becoming a Gang banger, or anything outrageous like that.

'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride' is definitely one of the most charming children's movies that I've ever seen. Based loosely on the classic 'Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame, the film is set in the English countryside and follows the adventures (and misadventures) of Mr. Toad (Terry Jones of Monty Python!), Ratty (Eric Idle of the same), Mole(Steve Coogan), and Badger(Nicol Williamson) as they battle with the evil, greedy weasels over the rights to Toad Hall. The special effects are minimal but very well done, and the quaint period costumes and animal make-up creates the perfect woodland atmosphere. The songs are short but cute; you'll find yourself humming the tunes before you know it. All in all, children will find the characters delightful and funny, while the darker images of the dangers of industrialization and progress will keep the attention of adults. I'd say my rating is four and a half stars, as opposed to just four. 'Mr. Toad's Wils Ride' is a definite must to any video collection!

I don't know why the person below didn't like it. I'm 16, the age where I hate EVERYTHING that is childish, and I still loved this movie. It's a welcome change from the big studios who churn out crap in order to sell the songs to other singers like Celine Dion. If you look down upon children's things, and think that anything fun for children is below you, then you wouldn't like this film. For the rest of you, go out and rent this movie now! ESPECIALLY if you are a fan of Monty Python.

The only good part in the movie is the villian song other then that,it stinks. I give this movie a 2 out of 10.

I love this film because it is funny it has alot of the monty python stars in it and also that the actors are amazing. The first time that I ever saw this film was when I borrowed it off a friend and ever since that I had fallen in love wwith it.

This Terry Jones version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is a superbly well made film. Enjoyable by both children and adults, my only regret is that it is not available on DVD. This film is witty, charming and very imaginative. Terry Jones excels as Toad with Eric Idle supporting him as Ratty. Every child should see this version.

As I watched the movie, I had this feeling that I was watching Zooblie Zoo and Monty Python at the same time. The costumes were pretty bad, for example, Terry Jones was just painted green basically in his portrayal of Toad, and I kept thinking of his Python sketch, "croonchy frogs" whenever he appeared to do something really goofy, (like dance.) The acting and special effects in it were great, however, and the movie kept pretty much to the original story line. When it was changed, it was done in such a way that it didn't hamper the plot.With it's semi-distracting over use of Monty Python characters, so-so songs, and poor costuming, I'd strongly suggest renting before buying.

This movie is a great story about Mr. Toad (Terry Jones) and the great adventure he runs in to with his friends, Ratty (Eric Idle), Mole, and Badger. Toad has an oubsesstion with moter cars and it might cost him him home, Toad Hall. In the mean time the Weasles have there own ideas for Toad Hall and the land its on. The ending is clever and in my opinion perfect. But I'm not the type to tell, so i guess you just have to see if for yourself.

My grandson and I first watched this 5 yrs. ago then happened upon its being shown on BBC while in London this year and remembered how much we had enjoyed it. I have just ordered it as Christmas presents for my other grandchildren. The 2nd viewing was just as funny! We were glued to the TV before we went out to sightsee! It's wonderful!