THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS [1983 / 2013] [The Original Movie] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] The Original Feature-Length Film Based on the Classic Tale! Digitally Restored Edition!
First published in 1908, Kenneth Grahame's “The Wind in The Willows” has become one of the best loved books of all time, enchanting generations of children and adults alike. Digitally Restored Edition!
Voiced by an all-star cast including David Jason as TOAD, Michael Hordern as BADGER, Richard Pearson as MOLE and Ian Carmichael as RATTY, plus Beryl Reid and Una Stubbs.
Brought to the screen by award winning animation team Cosgrove Hall Films, ‘THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS’ original film introduces us, for the first time, to our four intrepid animal friends.
Toad decides that motor cars are the only way to travel, however his driving skills don't match up to his enthusiasm. Our countryside friends come to his rescue and try to help him stay on the right side of the road, and the law, in this exciting adventure.
BAFTA and Emmy award winning, this animation film set the template for the hugely successful five series' of 'The Wind In The Willows' that followed.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1985 Nominated: Best Children's Programme in Entertainment and Drama for Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall. 1987 BAFTA TV Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film for Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall. 1984 12th International Emmy Awards: Win: Children and Young People Award.
FILM FACT No.2: Cosgrove Hall Films [aka Cosgrove Hall Productions] and was a British Animation Studio founded by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall; and its headquarters was in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. Cosgrove Hall Films was once a major producer of children's television and animated programmes; Cosgrove Hall Films’ programmes are still seen in over eighty countries. The company was wound down by its then owner, ITV plc, and on the 26th October 2009. This film set the template for the hugely successful five series of 'The Wind in The Willows' that followed. Based on the characters created by Kenneth Grahame.
Voice Cast: Richard Pearson (Mole), Ian Carmichael (Rat), David Jason (Toad), Sir Michael Hordern (Badger), Beryl Reid (Mrs. Carrington-Moss), Jonathan Cecil (Reggie), Edward Kelsey (voice), Una Stubbs (Jailer's Daughter / Rosemary), Brian Trueman (Weasel Henchman) and Alan Bardsley (voice)
Directors: Chris Taylor and Mark Hall
Producers: Brian Cosgrove, John Hambley and Mark Hall
Screenplay: Rosemary Ann Sisson (screenplay) and Kenneth Grahame (novel)
Composers: Keith Hopwood and Malcolm Rowe
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 1.0 Dolby Mono Audio
Subtitles: None
Running Time: 78 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Fremantle Home Entertainment / Cosgrove Hall Films
Andrew's Blu-ray Review: ‘THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS’ [1983] is one of the most beloved children's tales ever written and never before or since has it been shown in such a wonderful way than in Cosgrove Hall Films stop motion animation. Now people of my age will probably remember the successful television series, but here this is the original feature film which went on to win at the BAFTA® Awards and also at the International Emmy, and was deservedly award winners.
The story is simple, and those familiar with Kenneth Grahame's original story will all know it off by heart. It involves the riverbank adventures of the characters Mole, Rat, Badger and the wonderfully eccentric Toad. These characters all bandy together to help Toad stop his crazy antics, including the many things he becomes obsessed with Boats, Carts or Cars [Poop Poop!] and the problems caused by the dastardly Weasels.
This is shown through the wonders of stop motion animation, before the crazy antics of Aardmann Animation or when CGI took over and it is amazing just what the animators were able to achieve, remember this is 1983, and even just looking at the way the characters are animated surpasses even what most cinematic films were able to create at the time. It is surprising that Cosgrove Hall did not release this theatrically or did not go on to do more.
One of the most wonderful things about the story is the voice work provided Ian Carmichael, Richard Pearson, Michael Hordern and of course David Jason stealing the show. The story is told in such a way that even if you are just listening to the audio the wonderful performances, music and sound effects mean you don't even need the visuals. But combined it makes it even better.
I did worry that my nostalgia glasses would either be blurred by my memory of watching it as a child, or would be smashed by it being awful, but thankfully that is not the case. The story is perfect, the characters fun and though there isn't as much humour as I seem to recall, I found myself smiling a few times at Toad and in my head whenever I think of Toad the only thing that comes to mind is the voice of David Jason. It is not surprising that the film spawned a TV series that spanned fifty-two episodes and is almost as beloved as this tale.
It is a shame that they did not include some extras with this Blu-ray, as it would have been nice to have had some sort of retrospective from the people who made it. A commentary track would have certainly been interesting to listen to. However, I understand that if this is being marketed to children that they would have no interest in these things. It would have been nice to have had a few episodes or clips from the TV show, especially if the complete series is also being released or even to have included the difficult to find 1988 sequel ‘A Tale of Two Toads,’ just to make this more of a 'must-have' item.
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Blu-ray Image Quality – ‘THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS’ appears in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1. The image quality is passable for this 1983 production, but no more than that. The image is soft-looking and faded, with colours looking muted, which is a particular shame in a film that's intended to catch the eye of children. But of course time can be very cruel and the animation is not as smooth as you would expect in 2013, especially with the brilliant Aardman Animations and I wish they would do an updated version for 2014, as I reckon they would produce the ultimate stop-motion Animation version.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – The 1.0 Dolby Mono Audio soundtrack for ‘THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS’ is barely average, especially its age and a shame they did not try to upgrade the sound. The track sounds clean, with no background noise or distortion. It does tend to sound rather muffled and flat at times, though, which may make it hard for young listeners to follow some of the dialogue.
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Finally, Cosgrove Hall Films ‘THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS’ is simply marvellous. This is not nostalgia talking, but simply a fact. If this was the first time I had seen this, I would still be saying the same. Everything about it shows just why Cosgrove Hall Films were such a huge entity in the 1980s and when you consider this is a company that brought us ‘Dangermouse’ and ‘Count Duckula’ amongst others it is often surprising to some when you hear people declare the best thing they ever did was this. Watching it again, I would absolutely agree. One criticism is why did they have to use the original THAMES Television identification at the start of the film, as this Company is no longer in existence, instead why didn't they use the 2013 ITV Logo, very strange. Despite this, I am so pleased I have added this to my ever increasing Blu-ray Collection. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
