The Wind in the Willows (1995)

When three tight friends Mole, Ratty, and Badger, find out that the infamous Mr. Toad of Toad Hall has been up to no good, they must find him and change his ways for good.

Directors:

Dave Unwin, Dennis Abey

Writers:

Kenneth Grahame (from the book by), Ted Walker (adapted by)

Stars:

Alan Bennett, Michael Palin, Michael Gambon

2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Alan Bennett	...	Mole (voice)
Michael Palin	...	Rat (voice)
Michael Gambon	...	Badger (voice)
Rik Mayall	...	Toad (voice)
James Villiers	...	Magistrate (voice)
Emma Chambers	...	Gaoler's Daughter (voice)
Judy Cornwell	...	Barge Woman (voice)
Enn Reitel	...	Otter / Rabbit / Policeman / Gaoler (voice)
David Sinclair	...	Clerk / Rabbit / Sergeant (voice)
Mark Lockyer	...	Car Owner / Rabbit / Policeman / Driver / Town Crier / Chief Weasel (voice)
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Grandmother (live action)
Jemima Ffyne	...	Alexandra (live action)
Jordan Hollywood	...	Emma (live action)
Tom Stourton	...	Edward (live action)
Barry Foster	...	Boatman (live action)

Storyline

A mole, taken from the fever of spring, comes out of her den, starting a journey with a rat friend on the river and in the woods, where there is the den of the badger and where they spend the lethargy. When the wind blows again in the willows in spring, the three friends leave to change the frog for the better, that is very fickle.

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Plot Keywords:

talking animal | based on book | 

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Genres:

Animation | Family

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Széljárta Fűzfa meséi

Filming Locations:

Eton College, Eton, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

TVC London, Carlton UK Productions, HIT Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (YouTube) Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alan Bennett (who provides the voice of Mole in the film) previously adapted the novel for the Royal National Theatre in 1990. The original production starred Griff Rhys Jones as Toad, David Bamber as Mole, Richard Briers as Rat, and Michael Bryant as Badger. Bennett also went on to do an audiobook version of the novel for the BBC in 2005.

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Quotes

Grandmother: [narrating; scene show Mole in his home, whitewashing his ceiling] Mole had been working very hard all morning, spring cleaning his little home, to the point where he had dust in his throat, and whitewash in his black fur.
Mole: [some of the white wash from his brush drips into his eye;incomprehensible] Bother!
Grandmother: Spring was moving in the air above and below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lonely little place. It was a small wonder, when, suddenly...
Mole: [fed up] Oh bother! D'oh!
[...]

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Connections

Version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949)

User Reviews

Absolutely charming, and very true to the book

The book by Kenneth Grahame is a perfectly enchanting one, with the memorable characters and the beautiful story. This animated film is my favourite adaptation of the book, I thought it was beautiful and charming. The animation was splendid, exactly like I pictured it, the film is very true to the book and the music is very lyrical. My favourite scene has to be the one on the riverbank, beautifully done, and is one of my favourite parts of the book. But what made the film is the voice cast, Rik Mayall the standout as Toad, but Michael Palin, Alan Bennett and Michael Gambon voice their characters Rat, Mole and Badger respectively. They were advantaged by a well written script and assured direction. This was a perfect film, and anyone who hasn't seen it already, you will be enchanted by this. 10/10 Bethany Cox.