Customer Reviews

The Wind In the Willows

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie has been a staple with our family since first released on video, in fact we have worn 3 tapes out of the original and I have just purchased the dvd, which is outstanding!! The colour and quality are excellent and the story and voice overs are a trip back to glory days of English gentility. My children still watch this continually and whilst it may not appeal to the "action comix" kid (or adult)it is a masterpiece and is simply redolent with atmosphere. Buy it for your kids, watch it time and time again for yourself and give your spirit a lift.

When I first learned of this show I instantly fell in love with it. When I learned they did many episodes I enjoyed even that much more. Many years later I finally learned just how many episodes they did, and realized I must have missed out on many of them, and was in utter shock and awe at all the wonderful work that Cosgrove and Hall did. This first single disc DVD is on the feature length episode that Cosgrove and Hall produced. Take one of my favorite styles of animation, add some talented (and a few favorite) British voice actors, and add the creative talent of Cosgrove and Hall, and give them an inspiring loveable book, and you get an immense amount of Family Fun Time. After you view this one feature length episode hold on to your hats. To be released around March of 2005 is the first of about 5 volumes A&E plans to produce, so that they may be the very first in the market to completely release to the public every single one of the 65 (YES, you heard that right "65!") 20 minute episodes that the talented Cosgrove and Hall company produced. Never before has the public been allowed to purchase and view in their homes every single episode of this fantastic series. The only things in the past that were release on tape were the feature length episode, and about 3 or 4 tapes with 3 episodes each (with 1 or 2 episodes changed out when they were reproduced a couple of times). It's shocking that it took this long to let the public in all this fun (Who's been hoarding and hiding all these recordings anyway?). Thanks finally to A&E for being the first company to get the rights (after several others had the rights over the years) to devote all the time and effort they are going to do to get all the episodes out to the public. YEAH for A&E! So many of us have been longing for such a lengthy amount of time to finally own every episode. I especially enjoy this show just tad bit more than others, as this show helped bring me out of a dark depressing time I went through early one year, when I happened to stumble upon this show again on a PBS channel, and low and behold by some freak of nature they were airing some of the episodes in the early to mid 90's.

On to a side comment, I don't know how someone can give this show a bad rating, and then also go on a rant about it having bad language. What show were you watching anyway? Unless you're a super uptight paranoid parent who gets offended by everyone else in world, this show is certainly for everyone. So don't let any kind of review like that deter you from having any kind of fun. RUN, don't walk, and get your copies of every single one of these episodes, and start having a great fun time.

A note to previous reviewers:

When Toad says
"Mole, you silly ASS!" He is NOT swearing, but calling Mole a jackass- a silly ninny, a nincompoop, a DONKEY (as per Biblical vocabulary). I'm tempted to use the phrase myself.

"Ass" is not a swear word in this context, and there is no reason to shield children from this masterful film adaptation of a classic book. Might as well shield children from the Bible itself. But thanks for your review, all the same.

Another thought- what two-year-old is able to pay attention to a movie long enough to get as far as the point at which that word is used, anyway??

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Now a note to prospective buyers:

Never has there been a more masterfully-created rendition of K. Grahame's work. The lyrics to the songs come straight from Grahame's pen, and the music itself it nothing short of delightful. The skilled (and famous) actors who perform the voices of our riverside friends must also be commended. Altogether stunning.

This movie is one of TWO book adaptations in the history of cinema that have surpassed their original literary form (the other being "The Snowman"). The "Wind in the Willows" television spinoff (also available on Amazon) doesn't slack off a bit; it's just as high-quality as this movie.

Excellent viewing for the ENTIRE family. I certainly look forward to subsequent DVD releases of the tv series.

I have seen many film adaptations of Kenneth Grahame's excellent book, and this is by far the best. This is the first I have seen that even tried to stay faithful to the book. Most other adaptations seem to think the book is too slow and boring and needs to be spiced up with extra violence. This film captures the spirit of the book quite well and I recommend it to all who love classic children's literature.

This movie was charming and captivating when I watched it as a child, and having seen it for the first time in fifteen years or so, I can honestly say it hasn't aged a bit. In fact, it really seems to have resonance in today's world. The voiceovers are Pythonesque, the humor is right-on, and the songs are brilliant.
So British, and yet somehow so universal...

I love The Wind in the Willows. I love them all. I dont know how to convince you to buy this but I'd start by making the suggestion to buy this one first watch The Wind in The Willows, then A Tale of TWo Toads, purchase series one and two and three if they really have one. I heard there was a series three but I haven't bought it yet. Then watch them all over again. I'm a 33 year old woman and I saw these when I was young something about them just stuck with me. It wasn't til a few months ago that I re-discovered them since childhood. There's something poetic and classic and beautiful about them. The stop animation, the details of the characters and the voices...all of it poetry. With a beautiful peaceful message of living life with simplicity and appreciating all the beauty nature and the whole world offers. Something like that you get what I'm trying to put across here. It's beautiful, really enjoyable and leaves you feeling at peace with the way things are, really at peace with simplicity and what treasures say a warm cup of hot chocolate could bring on a rainy day all safely tucked inside your dry warm home. Things like that..that's what the wind in the willows brings. I hope you dont miss your chance or your children dont miss the chance to enjoy that.

I am a fan of the BBC shows but, not having cable, only see what I rent. The book, Wind in the Willows, is an old favorite of mine, though, so I felt good about purchasing the movies. When I previewed them (I always preview, even when a movie rating states it is appropriate for children) I was happy with the interpretation of the tales yet admittedly a little concerned that the stop-motion characters might be boring for my children. They are used to the flash and noise of Disney, Warner Bros. and other animation giants. Still, the content was good so I handed them over. Both my son and daughter sat through the entire movie, then the 5 year old wanted to watch it again. The Tale of Two Toads also got their attention and now both movies are watched on a regular basis. It's good to see my children can appreciate the art and more subtle humor of movies such as these in addition to the prompted-responses typical in modern animation.

Cosgrove Hall's charming stop-motion animated adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame story is spectacular family entertainment. Originally shown on the BBC in 1983, I was first introduced to the series in the late `80s on PBS. I was probably about four at the time and I was unfamiliar with the story upon which it's based. But I was immediately taken by the subtle sophistication of the film. The animation was unlike anything I'd ever seen and to this day it holds a great fascination to me. The first film in this set is a marvelous adaptation of the book, which is remarkable considering the length of the book and the film is just under an hour and a half long. The second film, from 1989, is a silly sequel that retains the charm of the original even though it's not based upon Grahame's tale. Both films are worthy of a spot on your family's DVD shelf.

The Wind in the Willows - 1983
The story concerns a group of animal characters that live in the English countryside. There Mole, sick of spring cleaning, has decided to go out into the sun and visit his friend Ratty. They enjoy a good day of "messing about in boats" and having a picnic (where we are first introduced to the nefarious weasels). Finally Mole and Ratty pay a visit to the wealthy and eccentric Mr. Toad who shifts from one neurotic obsession to another. Soon he becomes entranced by motorcars and is revealed to be a danger to himself as well as the other animals. With that in mind Mole and Ratty seek out the reclusive Badger, whose great wisdom might be an asset in reeling Toad in and exorcising him of his "motorcar mania". But it's too late for Toad has stolen a car and been involved in yet another accident. Toad is sent to prison and the weasels move into his home, making it their headquarters for delinquency. But Toad manages to escape with the help of a washerwoman and enlists the aid of Ratty, Mole and Badger in an attempt to recapture Toad Hall.

The Wind in the Willows: A Tale of Two Toads - 1989
In this sequel, the weasels seek revenge on Mr. Toad and once again take over Toad Hall. This time they utilize another Toad, this one an actor, and succeed in temporarily dividing the animals and turning them against each other. It's not long before their treachery is revealed and the two Toads must confront one another to decide who will possess Toad Hall.

The DVDs are produced by A&E, to whom I am grateful for this release, but unfortunately neither of the films have been remastered or given a proper restoration. This causes the film to look faded and there are numerous times where artifacts (spots of dirt, dust and debris) can be seen. Although this can be rather annoying, it never depreciates the enjoyment of the viewing. This series is highly recommended not only for its nostalgic value but also for its superlative storytelling. Truly a family classic!

Also recommended:
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Wind in the Willows: The Complete First Series
The Wind in the Willows: The Complete Second Series

I grew up with this movie and I must say that other than Lord of the Rings and other extremely good movies, this is one of the best I have ever seen. The soundtrack alone is one of my favorites, not just the main theme you hear but also the songs that characters in the movie sing. The detail is amazing in every respect, the only thing wrong is that you can't figure out what type of medium they used. Im stil not sure if its claymation or what.
If you want something that you and your children (or simply friends that like happy movies or silly musicals) will love, get this, you wont regret it.

i love this dvd as i do the movie,1st and 2nd now just waiting for the others to be released to me TWITW is a true gift in a modern age and keeps me sane in the age as well so all there is to say is ''spin me a dream woven of silver & gold'' thank you Brian Cosgrove & Mark Hall and all the others involved in making Kenneth Grahame's characters come to life