The Wind in the Willows, released on video in the U.S. as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, is a 1996 adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic novel The Wind in the Willows (which shows the ever changing world of the British countryside through the eyes of animals). It was also notable, because it starred John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin (all of whom were previous Monty Python members).
The Wind in the Willows is a 1983 79-minute film by the studio Cosgrove Hall for Thames Television and aired on the ITV network. The movie is based on Kenneth Grahame's classic story The Wind in the Willows. It won a BAFTA award and an international Emmy award. Subsequently the studio made a 52 episodes series, The Wind in the Willows based on characters from the Wind in the Willows between 1984 and 1990. Stone Roses guitarist John Squire worked on this series for Cosgrove Hall. Voice actors on this adaptation included David Jason, Ian Carmichael and Michael Hordern.
Mole's underground home is bought by the Weasels from wealthy landowner Mr.Toad and Mole is thrown out. He and Rat start to fight to get his home back from evil Weasels. Written by Anonymous
One spring, Mole decides that he can ignore the spring cleaning for a little longer, and begins a series of adventures with his new friend Rat. They go for a picnic on the riverbank, on a caravan expedition with Toad, until Toad switches allegiance to his new car and his reckless driving makes Mole and Rat search out Badger for help in curbing Toad's profligate habits. But Toad gets away from them and gets a 20-year sentence from the magistrate for theft, reckless driving, and Gross Impertinence. While Toad works his wiles on the jailer's daughter and escapes jail dressed as a washer woman, Badger tries to guard Toad Hall from the machinations of the Weasels and is badly beaten. And it requires a plan of attack and all four comrades to regain Toad Hall. Written by Kathy Li
The film was finished in 1985, but its television premiere was delayed several times.
Paul Frees' final performance.
t: [Ratty and Moley are both lost in the woods when Mole trips over a boot-scraper, then Ratty finds a doormat] Well? Doesn't that tell you something? le: [Walking away grumpily] Doormats tell one nothing. Doormats know their place.
