The Wind in the Willows
Matt Lucas as a marvellous Toad, Mark Gatiss as a spiky rat, Lee Ingleby as a nervous Mole, and Bob Hoskins as a grumpy old Badger make a classy cast within yet another version of Kenneth Grahame's classic book.
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- Cast:
- Matt Lucas , Mark Gatiss , Lee Ingleby , Bob Hoskins , Imelda Staunton , Jim Carter , Anna Maxwell Martin
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Reviews
To me, this movie is perfection.
Good movie but grossly overrated
best movie i've ever seen.
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Who doesn't love the storybook Wind in the Willows? Chances are, I still have the book collecting dust somewhere. It was one of my favourites's as a child, and I was excited to see a live action movie version.Matt Lucas (as Toad) does a fantastic job. It's a heartwarming, delightful film that you will completely enjoy with your family, especially children because of the life lessons taught. Set creation was fantastically done and they stayed as true to the book as possible.I'm grateful that they didn't use much special effects, and I understand that hard-core book fans might note appreciate the artistic interpretations taken in some instances of this film.In conclusion, if you are a fan of the book, or if you have children, then I recommend this movie to you.
This is not the best version of Kenneth Grahame's wonderful book, but it is a very enjoyable one. It is amusing and charming with memorable, quirky performance and great costume and set design.The adaptation does look visually pleasing, with colourful costumes and sets and the scenery is beautiful. The camera work was also creative, with interesting angles. The story is still well-constructed, well-paced, fairly true in essence and has many charming interludes particularly the Piper at the Gates of Dawn sequence which was a delight to see.The writing is also playful and witty, particularly with Toad, and the characters are still their likable selves. The acting is in general very good. Matt Lucas occasionally overdoes it, but he also seems to be enjoying himself. Bob Hoskins is a wonderful badger, while Lee Ingleby is a touching Mole and Mak Gatiss a suitably subdued and subtle Ratty. Mary Walsh is lovely too, Imelda Staunton is very amusing and while the weasels are a slight disappointment they aren't in a lot of it to distract too much.Overall, a very enjoyable TV adaptation. 8/10 Bethany Cox
When I first saw the advert at Christmas, I was obviously attracted by Little Britain's Matt Lucas and the great Bob Hoskins starring, but also I was attracted to see another live action version, the other was Terry Jones's 1997 film. You probably know the story already, although I didn't know Mole (The Street's Lee Ingleby) and Rat (The League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss) didn't know each other already when they met. They meet Toad (Lucas) who takes them on a caravan, and then gets obsessed with motor cars. Rat and Mole then meet Badger (Hoskins) in the Wild Wood, and the three of them try to rehabilitate Toad. They fail and he goes to prison, but escapes as a washer woman, and then they have the Battle of Toad Hall. Phew! Also starring Jim Carter as Engine driver, Theodor Danetti as Otter, Radu Andrei Micu as Chief Weasel, Imelda Staunton as Barge Lady and Tom Baker as Judge's voice. Worth watching!
A highly enjoyable made-for-TV version of the story. The subtle costumes and understated acting are perfectly suited to the subject. Toad's frivolous and irresponsible behavior are well-captured, though I found him more childish than anything else. There are undertones of class separation and hints of the poverty of some of the characters that I found touching, and will go over the heads of many children, which to me is a plus.Bob Hoskins' Badger is a delight, and I have a soft spot for Mary Walsh, no matter how large or small the part she's in. The British and Canadian actors all bring their considerable talent to the table, despite the fact that most of them are relatively unknown (at least to the best of my knowledge).All-in-all, well worth renting or downloading, if you want a simple family movie for the holidays, or just a family movie night.