The Wind in the Willows (1987)

Directors:

Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writers:

Kenneth Grahame (novel), Romeo Muller (screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Nelson Reilly, Roddy McDowall, José Ferrer

Cast

Cast overview:
Charles Nelson Reilly	...	Mr. Toad (voice)
Roddy McDowall	...	Ratty (voice)
José Ferrer	...	Badger (voice)
Eddie Bracken	...	Moley (voice)
Paul Frees	...	Wayfarer (voice)
Bob McFadden	...	Magistrate (voice) (as Robert McFadden)
Ray Owens	...	(voice)
Gerry Matthews	...	(voice)
Ron Marshall	...	(voice)
Alice Tweedy	...	(voice) (as Alice Tweedie)
Jeryl Jagoda	...	(voice)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Animation | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 July 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Wind in den Weiden

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rankin/Bass Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last project produced by Rankin/Bass Productions.

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Goofs

As Moley ventures into the Wild Wood to try and find Badger himself, a tree he stops at scares him by turning into an evil face, then turning normal again. In the next shot, Moley mouths something like "My imagination, just my imagination", but no sound is heard.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mr. Toad: Oh... was there ever such a yachtsman as Mr. Toad?
[camera flash, followed by a puff of smoke]
Mr. Toad: Never!

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Connections

Version of Wind in the Willows (1988)

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Soundtracks

"Messing Around In Boats"
Sung by Roddy McDowall

User Reviews

Simply the best!

The 1987 Rankin/Bass version of Wind in the Willows is simply the best version of the story that I have seen today. The film remains very true to the story with only some minor variations (Portly becomes Badger's nephew instead of Otter's son), has some catchy songs (my very favorite is the one sung by the weasels and stoats as they have overrun Toad Hall), and does a wonderful job of characterization (Moley is insecure but loyal, Ratty is dreamy, Badger is gruff yet compassionate, and Toad is, well, Toad)! More importantly, I think the film better than any other has captured the true essence of Grahame's original work, something most film versions have just not been able to do. This was always one of my favorite movies as a child, and I long for it to be released on DVD! It is a truly great movie!