The Wind in the Willows (1995)

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I am a little biased because this is the version I grew up on, but since re-watching it as an adult I still believe it captures the magic of the book better than any other version. Unlike the others, this version doesn't shy away from the spiritual aspects of the book. Despite apparent danger, this world is inhabited by magical beings who look after the river-folk. Also, even though this movie is for kids, it trusts it's audience to relate to the internal struggle between wanderlust and responsibilities. Both Mole and Toad share this struggle, but each handles it differently. This is a fantastic lesson for kids to learn. The animation is beautiful and looks like a painting come to life. The voice acting is also perfect. Overall, the presentation is great and the story is rich. This movie will enchant children and adults alike.

I was getting along swimmingly with the river characters, and those of the deep, dark woods as well. I enjoyed the characters of Mole, Rat and Badger very much. The illustration was also very well done, through-out. I enjoyed the choice of colors.Unfortunately, at a certain point, it seemed that this story was going to be focused primarily on loud, narcissistic, vain, boisterous Toad. Now, while I'll freely admit that one meets all types at a riverbank, or in the mansions there-upon, the serenity of the story was shredded by this agitating, impulsive amphibian.For me, it ruined the whole story, and I was unable to watch past the point where Toad was preparing for his "song" at the party, having, with the help of his friends, chased the ferrets, stoats and weasels out of his ornate, voluminous abode. In contrast to other animated features, such as Watership Down, The Wind In The Willows seems to have been written with much more coarse excitement and soft violence. I regret that this otherwise-charming story fell victim to our frenetic, aggressive way of life.I heard nary a wind, and saw bare-little Willow. The story needs to be re-written with Toad intermittently appearing, returning from his various and sundry jaunts and sojourns, with something valuable to add to the enjoyment and education of Mole, Rat, and Badger, or whomever else he should meet. Juxta-pose and integrate him with Badger and create some balance.., maybe even some poetry.

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.

The colours and animation on this are beautiful, some of the best I've seen. The dramaturgy is lacklustre, only the action sequences have any zing. But you'll enjoy seeing animation the way it should be done ( also check out Watership Down and Animal Farm (1954), not to mention Fantasia.