It's amazing that in the comments this is decried as "dark" "frightening" and "not for children". Compared to the average computer games where people are slaughtered wholesale and which are bought (and watched) by approving parents, Wind in the Willows is a typical fairy tale with villains and heroes. Hedonistic Toad, worried Mole, thoughtful Ratty and a beautiful production make this a delight. Maybe more unhappy viewers should be introduced to that wonderful invention - the OFF BUTTON. Perhaps their present device lacks it and the poor things are forced to watch and can only vent once the movie has finished.
This brings me back to being young happy with good warm TV soothing relaxing shows it gives me a warm feeling watching this brings me back to life and happiness thanks when the world was sweet and kind thanks
This is the very first version I saw, on Spanish TV, in the Christmas of 1984. I later bought the book, which I still have today. Del Boy dubbed Mr. Toad, who, by the way, is my favourite character, being so reckless and a total nut. 🥰🥰🥰 🤣🤣🤣
Happy 35th anniversary to the film and television series from Cosgrove Hall. Absent friends: Richard Pearson, Ian Carmichael, Sir Michael Horden and Peter Sallis.
I grew up with this version of Wind in the Willows and find it the definitive version for Film and TV. Absolutely love it. David Jason was born to play Mr Toad, and the other cast are amazing too! Beautiful (but somewhat creepy in some places in this movie) hand crafted stop motion animation with an unbeatable soundtrack. I will admit that although this film is thoroughly nostalgic I do prefer the tv series spin off from the same makers as it's the comedy elements and Mr Toad' s foolish and hilarious antics that kept me a die hard fan from such a young age. The Wild Wood scene gave me nightmares for years lol, whilst the Open Road song and Toad whizzing around in cars with that lively music in the background kept me glued to the screen 😁📺
Keith Hopwood Awesome music you created. I love the background tunes for the Oh, Mr Toad series and Yes, it should be repeated on t.v. much more often. A great deal of effort and talent went into this production 😊
I know they have their place and their fans, but I seriously cannot get on board with the Pixar style computer generated animation no matter how good the story. This on the other hand is perfect. We know that the models used in the animation are real 3d physical items whereas Pixar's exist only on a hard drive.
Those good old days sitting next to the fireside and enjoying lumps of marmalade and jam assortments and condiments, with endless cups of Ceylon and English Breakfast teas, and rolling our sweater sleeves right up, until we rolled them down again to prevent cold from making our skin dry and twirl. Oh, what a beautiful period of life it was, no mobiles, no computers, no fintech, no banking apps buzzing, no internet, and above all, quality airtime that made our TV watching worth the money paid in exchange! Give me my childhood back... Give me those endless cups of tea and Mcvities chocolate cookies. Give me the 1980s! I want to relive those years, when Lady Thatcher was preventing the scourge of the miners and the Socialists from spreading all over the country. Give me the Wind and the Willows epoch back. Please, let me travel backwards, as there is nothing left, going forward.
This was my favourite British film as I grew from a simple British, Anglo--European boy too the passionate campaigner, novelist, playwright and illustrator I am today.
I absolutely love this version. It is beyond charming and magical. I do love WITW, however, I always thought this was a story of two halves that never really mixed well. There is disconnect between the sweet, comforting and enchanting first half; Mole meeting Ratty and Badger and Toad and the gentle, peaceful adventures they have. Then you have Toad with his cars and being arrested and breaking out of jail and the weasels taking over toad hall. For me the two don't seem to work. Am I the only one who feels this disconnect?
Of all the versions I found online this one has the best picture quality when doing side-by-side comparisons. It also appears to have the most accurate/original aspect ratio, with no stretching for widescreen televisions. I do also like the extended version on the Simon Crossley channel, which has a picture quality and aspect ratio nearly as good as this one. It has three different scenes added, namely Portly and the piper at the gates of dawn, winter and the sea rat, and the barge woman and stolen horse scenes. Side note: I noticed in the credits (at 1:17:00), that Keith Hopwood, whose channel this is on, was one of the music composers! 🫡
How fun to find this version, thank you so much for posting it! We are really enjoying reliving this. Keith did you do the music? The best parts of the movie are the songs, you have a talent!
The perfect twists, The Heartless Arbotry Jaoler all aspy Toad making the escape, and there is a secret tunnel that has nothing to do with the old squeaky board in the Butler's Pantry like in the Carlton Film, (the celluloid animated version with the ideal narration of Vanessa Redgrave, is she a DAME?,) or the classic novel, which I reread a year or two ago, by Kenneth Graham.
You have been robbed because this is the definitive version. The initial film Followed the book very closely. The preceding years of episodes were absolutely magnificent if you haven't seen those.
Oh yes everyone has to see all these Cosgrove-Hall series. The rest are made up stories that take place after this but are absolutely brilliant and can be watched over and over.
I've heard of this title alot but never knew what it was about, it's 3 in the morning and I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about, I have to say this storyline is so random.
I'm always slightly conflicted about WITW. I love the first half of this story, meeting the characters and the beautiful care-free existence. The magic and the charm of the setting. I love it right up to where Mole finally meets Badger after having a fright in the wild wood. However, there the story seems to split and become something different, which doesn't seem to match somehow. Toad being arrested and escaping from prison and his home being captured seems to jar. For me it lacks some of the charm and easy nature that the first half had. Is it just me who feels like this is a story in two halves, or does anyone else feel that way?
horrorfan24 Well, the original book was kind of like that too. The first half is mostly about Mole and the second half about Toad. Toad has always been the silly character,l and brings noise and sometimes chaos to the idyllic lifestyle of the riverbank. That's why a lot of people love him, cos he's such a pompous idiot lol.
@@adamquirke6024The 1995 adaption is closer to the book. But Toad has absolute zero charm in that adaption. They show non of his kind hearted moments in that adaption and Rik Mayall voices him so obnoxiously. This version has much more charm as David Jason voices Toad much more child like and more friendly instead of just shouting his head off all of the time. Moley is much sweeter in this adaption too and the songs in this version are incredible
@@bazbanter9329 the charm in the 95 version came form the music and the artwork which rubbed off on each character. But toad was obnoxious. “The world has held great Heroes, As history-books have showed; But never a name to go down to fame Compared with that of Toad!” The mole in the stop motion version didn’t seem believably capable of fighting his way out of a paper bag let alone in the battle of road hall.
@@andybray9791 Well I was making a broader statement. Based on endless hours of studying their characters. I would assume the following. Assuming badger dies of natural causes all of the characters will have grown much older. I could envision a wiser and more mature chief weasel and Toad becoming friends. Likely enriching and altering the culture of the weasels. A stronger , wiser toad taking up some of the mantle of badger. Whom appeared to be his mentor. His moral wisdoms will likely live on in toad and rat , moles heads forever. I think chief weasel missing his adversary would very likely take on some of badger's traits. I can't explain it scientifically but I've seen it in life. I think good times are ahead for our friends...
@@Shastavalleyoutdoorsman I was thinking of writing this book THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS: A NO RETURN ADAPTED FROM ORIGINAL BOOK FROM KENNETH GRAHAME 1. THE PICNIC 2. BADGERS FALL 3. TOAD OFF THE ROAD 3. RAT AND MOLE EMPLOYED?! 4. WEALSEL OUT 5. THE BOMBSHELL 6. THE MEETING 7. VISITORS 8. OTTER MADNESS 9. WILD HOODERS? 10. THE PROTEST 11. DARK TIMES 12. IT ONLY JUST BEGUN
The way I used to hate this as a kid! It was such a mindfuck! It's not real, it's not a cartoon and the pacing is SO SLOW. Somehow, I never forgot the words "Wind in the willows" all the way into my adulthood. Maybe I'll kick a J and give it another go.
