The Wind in the Willows

Plot synopsis:
=== Mole meets Rat ===
With the arrival of spring and fine weather outside, the good-natured Mole loses patience with spring cleaning. He flees his underground home, emerging to take in the air and ends up at the river, which he has never seen before. Here he meets Rat (a water vole), who at this time of year spends all his days in, on and close by the river. Rat takes Mole for a ride in his rowing boat. They get along well and spend many more days boating, with Rat teaching Mole the ways of the river.
=== Toad ===
One summer day, Rat and Mole disembark near the grand Toad Hall and pay a visit to Toad. Toad is rich, jovial, friendly and kind-hearted, but aimless and conceited; he regularly becomes obsessed with current fads, only to abandon them abruptly. Having recently given up boating, Toad's current craze is his horse-drawn caravan. He persuades the reluctant Rat and willing Mole to join him on a trip. Toad soon tires of the realities of camp life, and sleeps in the following day to avoid chores. Later that day, a passing motorcar scares the horse, causing the caravan to overturn into a ditch. Rat threatens to have the law on the car driver, while Mole calms the horse, but Toad's craze for caravan travel is immediately replaced by an obsession with motorcars.
=== Badger ===
Mole wants to meet the respected but elusive Badger, who lives deep in the Wild Wood, but Rat—knowing that Badger does not appreciate visits—tells Mole to be patient and wait for Badger to pay them a visit himself. Nevertheless, on a snowy winter's day, while the seasonally somnolent Rat dozes, Mole impulsively goes to the Wild Wood to explore, hoping to meet Badger. He gets lost in the woods, sees many "evil faces" among the wood's less-welcoming denizens, succumbs to fright and panic and hides, trying to stay warm, among the sheltering roots of a tree. Rat, finding Mole gone, guesses his mission from the direction of Mole's tracks and, equipping himself with two pistols and a stout cudgel, goes in search, finding him as snow begins to fall in earnest. Attempting to find their way home, Rat and Mole quite literally stumble across Badger's home—Mole barks his shin on the boot scraper on Badger's doorstep. Badger—en route to bed in his dressing-gown and slippers—nonetheless warmly welcomes Rat and Mole to his large and cozy underground home, providing them with hot food and dry clothes.
=== Toad and motorcars ===
Badger learns from his visitors that Toad has crashed seven cars, has been in hospital three times, and has spent a fortune on fines. Though nothing can be done at the moment (it being winter), they resolve that when the time is right they will make a plan to protect Toad from himself; they are, after all, his friends, and are worried about his well-being.
With the arrival of summer, Badger visits Mole and Rat to take action over Toad's self-destructive obsession. The three of them go to Toad Hall, and Badger tries talking Toad out of his behaviour, to no avail. They put Toad under house arrest, with themselves as the guards, until Toad changes his mind. Feigning illness, Toad bamboozles the Water Rat (who is on guard duty at the time) and escapes.
Badger and Mole are cross with Rat for his gullibility, but draw comfort because they need no longer waste their summer guarding Toad. However, Badger and Mole continue to live in Toad Hall in the hope that Toad may return. Meanwhile, Toad orders lunch at The Red Lion Inn, and then sees a motorcar pull into the courtyard. He steals the car, drives it recklessly and is caught by the police. He is sent to prison for 20 years.
=== Toad escapes from prison ===
In prison, Toad gains the sympathy of the gaoler's daughter, who helps him to escape disguised as a washerwoman. Though free again, Toad is without money or possessions other than the clothes upon his back. He manages to board a railway engine manned by a sympathetic driver, which is then pursued by a special train loaded with policemen, detectives and prison warders. Toad jumps from the train and, still disguised as a washerwoman, comes across a horse-drawn barge. The barge's female owner offers him a lift in exchange for Toad's services as a washerwoman. After botching the wash, Toad gets into a fight with the barge-woman, who tosses him into the canal. In revenge, Toad makes off with the barge horse, which he then sells to a gypsy. Toad subsequently flags down a passing car, which happens to be the very one he stole earlier. The car owners, not recognising Toad in his disguise, permit him to drive their car. Once behind the wheel, he is repossessed by his former passion and drives furiously, declaring his true identity to the passengers who try to seize him. This leads to the car landing in a horse-pond, after which Toad flees once more. Pursued by police, he runs accidentally into a river, which carries him by sheer chance to the house of Rat.
=== Recapture of Toad Hall ===
Toad now hears from Rat that Toad Hall has been taken over by weasels and stoats from the Wild Wood, who have driven out Mole and Badger. Although upset at the loss of his house, Toad realises what good friends he has and how badly he has behaved. Badger then arrives and announces that he knows of a secret tunnel into Toad Hall through which the enemies may be attacked. Armed to the teeth, Badger, Rat, Mole and Toad enter via the tunnel and pounce upon the unsuspecting Wild Wooders who are holding a celebratory party. Having driven away the intruders, Toad holds a banquet to mark his return, during which (for a change) he behaves both quietly and humbly. He makes up for his earlier excesses by seeking out and compensating those he has wronged, and the four friends live out their lives happily ever after.
=== Short stories ===
In addition to the main narrative, the book contains several independent short stories featuring Rat and Mole. These appear for the most part between the chapters chronicling Toad's adventures, and are often omitted from abridgements and dramatizations. The chapter "Dulce Domum" describes Mole's return to his home, accompanied by Rat, in which, despite finding it in a terrible mess after his abortive spring clean, he rediscovers, with Rat's help, a familiar comfort. "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" tells how Mole and Rat search for Otter's missing son Portly, whom they find in the care of the god Pan. (Pan removes their memories of this meeting "lest the awful remembrance should remain and grow, and overshadow mirth and pleasure".) Finally in "Wayfarers All", Ratty shows a restless side to his character when he is sorely tempted to join a Sea Rat on his travelling adventures.

Tags: good versus evil

Review:
To add insult to injury despite getting raves from the New York papers, all of which wondered why the distributor was dumping a wonderful "children's" film,  a new distributor, Disney released it on video after changing its name to tie into their amusement park ride, there by confusing those of us who saw this as the Wind in the Willows.This film is a great film.
Its simply a fantastic film comedy, never mind the stupid label of children's or family film, this is just great movie making.The only people I know who are disappointed in it are people expecting a Monty Python film.
Although it pretty much reunites all of the surviving Pythons only Jones and Eric Idle are in it for any length of time, Cleese has one scene as a lawyer and Palin is fleetingly seen as the sun.
The film is light years from Python, despite having just a touch of Python's madness.The humor is gentle and loving and keeping both with the period and with modern tastes.
Granted the story is changed to deal with the dangers of crass commercialism, the weasels want to turn Toad Hall into a factory, but having seen several version of the story told with people in costume, this is only one of two versions that has ever worked, and this one did it in half the time of the other.This is a film that will make everyone feel good and which despite the PG rating is great for everyone..
While Badger, Mole and Ratty try to cure Toad of his car obsession, the weasels use it against him in order to get the deeds to Toad Hall.After making this film, Terry Jones had a public falling out with Disney resulting in them pulling it from a theatrical release, giving it a stupid title and dumping it out direct to video  a fate it certainly didn't deserve.
It is Disney that now looks stupid though as this is a wonderfully fun film that is pure simple fun to watch, it is the sort of kid's film that adults love because they can easily enjoy it just as much as their children.The plot is a good adaptation of Grahame's classic book with only the factory bit towards the end being the biggest change to the source material.In honesty, this thinly veiled attack on the ethics of big business is not only what most likely annoyed Disney but also is the bit of the film that doesn't work that well  it is cluttered, overly busy, noisy and lacking in the clean, fresh wit of the majority of the film.
I'm sorry for gushing about this but it is an underseen film due to Disney's shoddy treatment of it and, expecting it to be bad like all video releases, I was really surprised to find just how enjoyable it was.
As director, Jones does a great job on the film  it looks great and only the odd bit of special effect work let it down: the land is an idyllic, colourful place full of leisure time and a kind, friendly sun that always shines!What really raises the film up is an amazing cast who are pretty much all used well rather than just being cameos for cameos' sake.
Idle is really good as Ratty, as is Coogan in a nicely played role as Mole  they both play the characters as I imagined them.
Jones has the film's most fun role and he really does it very well, keeping the audience on Toad's side by playing up his childish side rather than an arrogant side.
The support cast is great  not only most of the Python team but good little roles from Fry, Hill, Planner, Wood and others are all used well and rarely is a bum note hit.Overall this is a big, lively, colourful film that will please children no end.
Despite Disney's best efforts this remains a really good film and one that is worth hunting out if you want a good bit of fun for family viewing..
Adults watching it who are not amused must have hearts of stone - even though it does not follow the current trend of having a subtext directed at the adult audience.And yet, other reviewers are comparing it to Monty Python, Pink Floyd, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, John Majors pre 97 UK - et al.
I've seen (a few) better films of the genre - I've seen many, many worse.The low points?the songsthe pet food factory plot (Why??)The high points?the fact the songs are very shortthe costumes (an eclectic mix of modern, Victorian, Edwardian, and Middles Ages which I think work really well).Toad's green face paintThe steam train.Anyway, my children, who can be deeply cynical of films like this, loved it.
Although "Wind In the Willows" (released on video here in the US as "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride") is marketed as a kid's film, Monty Python fans are likely to get more out of it.
The movie features Terry Jones (who wrote and directed it as well), Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and John Cleese (in a brilliant cameo as Toad's lawyer).
The movie tells the famous children's story with the unique silliness, British humor and over-the-top delivery that we've come to expect from the Python troupe.
Aside from nearly every Python appearing to good effect, we have a touching performance from Steve Coogan as the downtrodden Mole, Anthony Sher as a hissable Chief Weasel and...
Terry Jones's adaptation of "Wind in the Willows" is wonderful!!
I think people who don't like this movie really don't appreciate the wonderful Terry Jones.
I just thought this was a wonderful film, and a must see for (a)Disney Lovers (b) Python Lovers (c) and people who just want to see a different adaptation on a movie!!.
I really like Monty Python, it had nothing to do with the fact that they were in it - I just thought I would hate it as I don't usually like it when animal characters are played by humans and don't look anything like the animals.
Only when I watched this film (12 years after it was made) did I realize that was actually the point.Terry Jones is a fantastic Toad.
Wind in the Willows was originally written by Kenneth Grahame in 1908.The Story is based around the self-absorbed Mr. Toad and his friends Rat, Mole and Badger.
So, Luckily Rat and Mole Come up with a plan to rescue him, but will they get to toad hall in time?
It is a great movie for all of those fans of Monty Python as it has 4 of the Python's in it, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese and Michael Palin.
Plus Eric idle does a commendable job as the clever Rat. This is a great Movie for Python fans, and for all ages, but maybe more suitable for the ages 7 to 12 mainly..
Steve Coogen, was a cute and wonderful mole, ERic Idle, was the perfect rat, and Terry Jones, was the best toad ever.
Director Terry Jones (Who also writes and fantastically plays the part of Green - headed pink - cheeked fly - eating fantastically funny Toad in the film) sees the film to suit all ages.
We've got a touching performance from Steve Coogan as heroic/overwimpy Mole, Overcooked portrayal of Rat from Eric Idle, and excellent performance from Nicol Williamson as Badger, and really cherrie performance from Michal Palin as the Sun. But by far the best performance was Antoney Sher's portrayal of the hissable Cheif Weasel.
For those looking for a Monty Python movie, forget it.
Sure it has funny moments but the movie isn't a comedy, it is a wonderful story about Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.And it IS available in the US now, I rented it at Blockbuster.
Monty Python does a children's classic.
Rat (Eric Idle) rows him up the river to see Toad (Terry Jones).
Toad tells them that he sold Mole's home to the Weasels.
Toad is helpless in the face of the Weasels' schemes.This works better as Monty Python fare more than a children's movie.
What a shame for such a charming and wonderful adaptation of the children's classic "Wind in the Willows".
. .It is, in fact, "The Wind in the Willows".) The misadventures of Toad (Terry Jones), Rat (Eric Idle), Mole (Steve Coogan), and Badger (Nicol Williamson) remains quite faithful to the novel, particularly in conversations, embellishing parts only to help round out what is essentially a fairly loose plot (if the novel can be said to have much of a plot at all).A real delight of the film rests in the zany antics combined with the images of idyllic turn-of-the-20th-Century England, as well as the wonderfully clever costuming and makeup.
Director/Writer Terry Jones goes for an intentionally minimal approach, casting actors who naturally resemble their animal (Idle with his naturally mousey face, Williamson with his badger-like jaw, etc.) and putting only slight touches on them- a tail, a pointy mustache/whiskers, cut-off gloves for Mole's hands.
This is a definite British touch that is seldom seen in more obvious American movies where things are less artistic.Yes, Python member Jones recruited his three other comedy mates (John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle) to be a part.
Although this is not a Monty Python film by any means, there are a few Python-esque touches for die-hard fans- the nonsensical courtroom, for example (where Cleese plays an amusing cameo as Toad's very unhelpful lawyer), and the sudden musical number that breaks out in the middle of the Weasel fight.This is a charming, funny, zany family film that is perfectly suitable for the entire family, with lots of whimsical fun that leaves you feeling good..
Don't get me wrong, I did really like it, but like most films, there were a number of flaws that undermined what could have been a fun romp for kids.
The direction, by I think Terry Jones(also actor), lacked at times the director's usual silliness and fun.
The script was good, very witty at times, with some priceless lines especially with Toad, Badger and St John, while maintaining the book's gentleness and drollness which I liked.
The courtroom scene was hilarious because of Toad's increasingly silly breaking-into- song moments, and was the highlight of the film.
And the adults weren't disappointed -- it was truly a wild, fun ride, with antic performances by the participating Pythons and others (Stephen Fry and Antony Sher, for two).
Terry Jones did a great job directing and playing the infamous Mr. Toad.
Even though it is credited as a children's movie, anyone will enjoy it, especially fans of Monty Python.
Eric Idle did great playing Ratty, as well as Michael Palin (the sun) and John Cleese (barrister).
(In any case, Jones and Idle are the only strong Python presences in the film; Palin (the smuggest of superannuated satirists) must have sleep-walked through his exiguous, undemanding role as The Sun, while it must have taken about thirty seconds for Cleese to complete his economy-size cameo.)As an adaptation of the children's classic, Terry Jones's film is a travesty.
But New Labour were just the same old weasels in disguise.)Steve Coogan and Nicol Williamson play their roles with more conviction than the film strictly deserves, while the Pythons simply trade on their fans' brand-loyalty.
First of all the big name cast fail to resemble lovable fluffy animals in any way and it`s very easy to forget why they`re called Mole , Badger , Toad etc so instead of humanising animals ( A traditional concept in childrens fiction ) Terry Jones has done the opposite and animalised humans .
It`s very irritating the way the cast tend to mug for the audience at every opportunity which does gives the feeling the film is talking down to the child audience , and whose big bad idea was it to include songs ?
Although now distributed by Disney on home video, the quick pacing and wild abandon of Disney's 1949 version, which was half of the film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, is not to be found here.
Neither will you find the over-the-top absurdism of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969), despite the presence of four Pythoners, including The Wind in the Willows' screenwriter, director and star, Terry Jones.On the other hand, wild abandon and Pythonesque absurdism are not completely absent, but this is usually a much more mild, subtle and deliberately-paced affair which more closely follows Kenneth Grahame's original book--except for the plot developments towards the end.
But at the same time, he also manages to produce something family and kid-friendly.Although filled with humor, The Wind in the Willows is rarely--and rarely tries to be--laugh-out-loud funny, even though it occasionally reaches the comedic heights of Python (for example, during the courtroom scene, which features a great cameo from John Cleese).
The quiet charm and whimsy of the Wind in the Willows is overtaken by violent scenes of Nazi-like weasels attempting to exterminate the riverbank denizens by grinding them up in a dog food factory.
The casting of the four main characters is perfect - Terry Jones, who also directed, is a joyous Mr Toad; Steve Coogan, surprisingly, is touching and affecting as Mole; Eric Idle (complete with whiskers that spring in surprise) is pretty close to the book's depiction of Ratty; and Nicol Williamson is hilarious as the crabby Mr Badger.
But that is really as far as Jones went to appease Grahame's fans.His 'Wind in the Willows' takes these characters and puts them in a bizarre hybrid of song and dance (I love the weasels' song, led by a pleasingly sinister Antony Sher), and dog food factory plot - who did this idea first, this film, or Wallace and Gromit's A Close Shave?
Interesting cameo parts go to Michael Palin ('that's the advantage of being - the sun'); John Cleese (recycling an old Python plot about a defence lawyer only coming up with 'my client is guilty' statements); Stephen Fry (another Melchett-like judge); Victoria Wood (tea-lady), and Nigel Planer (motor-car man).I do wonder who this film was aimed at - surely not an adult audience or one of children?
The plot starts falling apart with some half-baked idea about a dog food factory in the forest.Jones' Wind in the Willows thus loses all of the original's gentleness and especially the book's mystic ending.
Children were more frightened by the film than amused.Even a rare opportunity to reunite all the surviving members of the Monty Python team is wasted, John Cleese appears for less than a minute and Michael Palin is relegated to being Mr Sun, which is certainly less than what he is capable of.
Instead we are allowed to 'rejoice' in Jones' dubious acting abilities as Mr Toad, surely he is by far the least talented Python.Hopefully the disastrous failure of this film will ensure that Terry Jones does not vandalise any more children's classics in the future.
Despite dull character designs and a very, very, very limited release, this film is a lot of fun..
I am a Monty Python fan and wanted to see many of the show's cast in a film--though it is NOT a Python film nor do they in any way pretend it is.
In addition, Terry Jones didn't just act in it but also wrote and directed this film.
While the sets were absolutely lovely, the actors simply looked like people with very minor changes to make them look, a bit, like the characters from the book.
For example, Rat just looks like Eric Idle with some tiny whiskers and a tale and Terry Jones' face was painted a very, very, very light shade of green to play Mr. Toad!
While I didn't like this look at all, I must say the acting was top-notch--something they might not have been able to get out of CGI characters or actors in clumsy animal costumes.As for the story, the animals are worried.
The weasels are thrilled, as they want to buy this property in order to do SOMETHING dastardly, so it's up to the nice animals (Mole, Rat and Badger) to try to stop Toad from destroying himself.
And, I am not sure that most adults would even consider watching this film--after all, it's traditionally a kids' book.
I particularly loved the courtroom scene--one of the few scenes that actually did look like it came right from "Monty Python's Flying Circus"!.
I loved the book, and - really - I was more than happy to see the film, which has many good points, and some very nice performances.
The film was far too rambunctious, as if Mr. Toad himself had directed it...which 9in effect) he did!
I found Jones' "Wind in the Willows" disappointing; it was very uneven.
Coogan and Williamson (Mole and Badger) were both excellent, but the Python alums (Jones, Idle, Cleese, and Palin) over-hammed through the whole thing in a very silly way, and one half expected them to break into a "Dead Parrot" routine.
Jones in particular was so far over the top that he turned into a parody of Toad.
And this is coming from a long-time Monty Python fan!It was very obvious that you were watching these particular actors consciously trying to be funny while playing roles that were only as deep as their costumes.
Mole (Steve Coogan) is painting his wall when suddenly his home starts to collapse and he runs away to find the river, and Rat (Eric Idle).
They go to Toad (Terry Jones, also directing) at Toad Hall to find out that Weasels from the Wild Wood have bought the meadow where Mole's home was, it was Toad's father's meadow.
Later in the film you find out more from the Chief Weasel (Antony Sher) that he wants to turn Toad Hall into a slaughter house, and there is a new Dog Food Factory in the meadow.