The Wind in the Willows

This cartoon adaption of The Wind in the Willows is something rare: a perfect (or at least near-perfect) version of the novel it's based on. Forget the Disney version; this is the one to see. It leaves out only a few parts of the novel, and is very faithful to the tone of the story. Each character is perfectly realized as they were in the novel. The visual style is excellent too; it is what might be called "delightfully grotesque." If you love The Wind in the Willows, and want to see a version that does not ruin it, this is the version you want. Alas, it is unavailable on video or DVD (it was once available on video, but is no longer), and is only rarely (if ever) shown on T.V. I am fortunate that I have a copy taped from T.V. many years, a copy which is, sadly, slowly biting the dust. This movie is hard to find, but if you can find, watch it without delay.

This version of "Wind in the Willows" is superior, by leaps and bounds, to the 1949 Disney version. Not only is it much more faithful to the novel as an adaptation, the animation actually looks better, and closer to many of the illustrations I've seen in different versions of "Wind in the Willows." Roddy McDowall, who you might remember from "Return of the King," is back as the water rat. Jose Ferrer is great as the gruff Badger. Best of all is the looney Charles Nelson Reilly as Toad. This guy has a great voice for cartoons, and his voice fits perfectly for the energetic and crazed personality of Toad, certainly more than the British actor used in the Disney version. I watched this as a little kid and enjoyed it. Watch it with your children, for it is one of Rankin-Bass's greatest TV specials, and a classic of made-for-TV children's animation.

Some of the writers in this thread disparaging the animation quality of this 1987 made-for-TV television version of 'The Wind in the Willows' thought it was made by Disney Productions, but of course it was produced by Rankin-Bass, who brought us 'Frosty the Snowman' in the '60s, and so much more. I'd have to say their animation quality in '87 has come a long way since 'Frosty'! Especially in the lush background illustrations and depth of texture and color mixtures.

This is clearly the truest-to-the-book, the intent-of-the-themes, and the animals' characterizations production of this title to date. I can't believe I was 27 years old when this came out and I presumably first watched it that year or possibly a little later, but I might as well have been 10 years old, for this version has really stuck with me (I'm now 45)! A large part of it was the great songs which have stayed in my head over the years, and, yes, especially the (someone said) 'wistful' theme song. Very soothing in sound and lyrics! Roddy McDowall was perfect as the voice of Ratty and Charles Nelson Reilly as Toad was a masterstroke of casting. For me, it really doesn't get any better than this version because I found that the animation and background settings so often matched a lot of the imagery I already had in my head from reading the book when I was about 13.

I believe I saw it twice more in ensuing years, but unfortunately did not make a tape off of TV, so I am now hoping to find it again by chance in some flea market 'bargain bin'. But I would like nothing better than to be able to see it again!

Perhaps you wouldn't immediately consider The Wind in The Willows a particularly difficult book to adapt for the silver screen, as it could be mistaken as a children's book, a simplistic animal fable. But that would truly under-appreciate a book, that in my opinion, is vastly underrated and incorrectly sold purely as children's reading.

The numerous attempts at filming Willows all seem to fail by varying degrees because they misinterpret the book's wonderful character nuances, the relationship between them, and a tale so beautifully written the story manages to be timeless, poignant, intelligent and relevant.

Most television or film attempts (either live action or animated) come across as simplistic, twee, saccharine-sickly or merely dull. This version, however, rises head and shoulders above the rest.

The Python version with its hideously conceived "dog-food" element, the Disney cartoon, the ITV animated version, and the Cosgrove Hall versions all, while competent, manage to somehow miss the essence of the book. This 1983 animated work of genius, however, is easily the finest.

The casting is truly inspired, the script superb, the songs perfectly judged, the spiritual, ethereal Piper scenes superbly done, and the animation, while a little simplistic, perfectly captures the atmosphere and tone of the British countryside.

The film manages to show the book almost complete, and whilst the songs are witty, and rousing for children, they also entertain adults, and the parts of the book that are a little more mature in scope (the religious/Christ vision of the Piper, the themes of greed and goodwill) are all left intact, and never condescend the younger viewer.

All in all, a magnificent achievement, and 90 minutes of the finest animated entertainment you could want. Shrek who...?

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!