- Wind and Winter
Kenneth Grahame's sylvan classic [has] made for some entertaining adaptations over the years, including, of course, Disney's 1949 cartoon version (narrated by Basil Rathbone) and an excellent BBC production using clay-model animation. Add to the list this British cartoon production ... The animation style is simple but elegant, evoking the woods and waters of Grahame's fanciful world where animals behave alarmingly like humans--with all the same foibles, quirks and personality conflicts.
- Steven Rea, in Disney's Family Fun Magazine
The cast list reads like a course in modern British comedy. Alan Bennett, who began it with Beyond the Fringe, is Mole. Michael Palin, who sustained it with Monty Python, is Rat. Rik Mayall, who let a new generation in with The Young Ones, is Toad. Add to that Michael Gambon as Badger and Vanessa Redgrave as the storyteller, plus the very capable animation team who gave us The Snowman and The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends and you've got quite a bit going for you from the start.
But how is it, really?
Well ... not half bad. It, like its animation, is far from perfect, but still a joy. As this is, after all, Monty Python's PythoNET we must go on about Michael Palin's wisened Ratty, who steals the show utterly, but good work is done by all. If you have no other reason to see it, see it because it is the first (and to this date only) adaptation of the Kenneth Graham classic to also adapt, separately, The Willows in Winter, the best-selling sequel by William Horwood. This is even arguably the better of the two films, because it includes Ratty's "The river has never failed to talk to me" speech, some splendidly-drafted animation of Toad's plane in flight, and a very odd post-credits jig from Redgrave. You'll joke with friends about this one, folks, I promise.
Here are some pictures. And yes, I do know they're all of Ratty. Can you blame me for a little bloody favouritism?
pertainent info:
"THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS" by Kenneth Grahame, @1995 Carlton Television Ltd., color, animated, approx. 74 minutes
"THE WILLOWS IN WINTER" by William Horwood, @1994 TVC London, color, animated, approx. 72 minutes
Produced by JOHN COATES
Directed by DAVE UNWIN
Adapted by TED WALKER
The Mole: ALAN BENNETT
The Toad: RIK MAYALL
The Rat: MICHAEL PALIN
The Badger: MICHAEL GAMBON
The Narrator: VANESSA REDGRAVE
Available from Goodtimes Home Video (Platinum Series), 16 East 40th Street, New York, N.Y., 10016
Suggested Retail Price: $13.00
Price I got it for: $0.00
Magnificent human being who sent it to me: Janina Robbins (Basil)
Send lavish gifts to: RobbinsJay@aol.com