Wind in the Willows

Rating:
Summary: Check your Text
Review: "Wind" is the charming story of four friends living near the river bank - Mole, Badger, Rat and Toad. The story follows their adventures in the Wide World, and how true friendship keeps them together through "thick and thin."

Unfortunately, the story loses some of its appeal in this video version. It tells the tale well enough, but it just doesn't have the feel of a "classic." Sometimes, you have to read the book to fully appreciate it!

Good, not great. Three stars.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of Children's Literature
Review: I am perplexed regarding the previous, one-star review. . . I own this edition of The Wind in the Willows, and it is complete and unabridged. Nothing is missing. I have read this book aloud to my five year old daughter three times entirely, and additionally she loves it so very much we often read bits and pieces as the fancy strikes. It's truly a timeless book, highly imaginitive and possessing an impressive moral compass. The first time I read it aloud, my daughter was barely three. Despite the advanced vocabulary, she listened, positively enchanted, as the poetic language is so riveting. And, I don't ever stop to explain new words, unless she asks, as I do not like to interupt the story. I'm always surprised at how much she is able to understand from context. Her own vocabulary has increased due, in part, to listening to this classic. It's such a fabulous tale of frienship and loyalty, both adventurous and touching. Hague's illustrations are whimsical and beautiful. I recommend this book, and especially this edition, most heartily!

Rating:
Summary: Another classic for all ages
Review: I was introduced to the denizens of the river when I was very small - maybe age three or four. My edition was illustrated by Arthur Rackham, still the best version to this day, IMO (much as I love Ernest Shepherd's work...)

I still remember being entranced by the juxtaposition of lyrical descriptions and occasionally wild and crazy action, expecially when Mr. Toad was involved - prefect balance for a child, and a terrific introduction to the wonders of the language in the hands of a true master. And one phrase - "Be my eyes, Ratty!" - has stayed with me ever since - that was when I really GOT the idea of helping and selflessness.

I still have my beat-up old book and make sure that all the children of my acquaintance have a good hardback Rackham copy. This classic - forget Disney - is right up there with the original Poohs, and I'm sure it will remain a favorite for generations to come. Do yourself and the children in your life a favor and read it - preferably out loud - and prepare to laugh, smile, shed a tear, and never forget.

Rating:
Summary: Nice adaptation
Review: I watched this as an adult, so I can't speak for how kids will encounter it. Thoughts:
- One thing that distracted me during the movie was the pacing of the plot. It's impressive that they crammed the book into 90 or so minutes, but as a result some parts seem hurried. Maybe that keeps kids' interest better.
- One thing the cartoon did well was giving the animal characters stereotypical mannerisms of post-Victorian British gentry (bachelors, to be specific). These aren't "National Geographic" animals--these are British "good old boys". That adds to the charm & makes the characterizations really come alive. That's why this story will be considered a classic for a long time.
- Finally, Toad is so over the top (wacky) that it's almost hard to take sometimes. How long do we have to see him despairing in his prison cell for his daft & reckless behavior? There are definite similarities of tone with, say, Wodehouse's "Wooster & Jeeves" in these parts, but wackier, if that can be believed.

Rating:
Summary: Goodtimes Video Savages a Beautifully Animated Tale
Review: If the people of Goodtimes Video Distribution didn't destroy this awesomely animated series with their ghastly editing, this version of Wind of the Willows easily earns 5 stars. A lot of the original British production has been shabbily cut to make 3 "complete cartoons." Inexplicably two of these mangled vignettes actually repeat Toad's car stealing & escape. There is no reason for this bungling. It would have been so much easier just to package & distribute the John Coates/Dave Unwin series in it's original format. This beautiful animated version of Wind of the Willows deserves a better distributor. For shame, Goodtimes!

Rating:
Summary: The Willow has Withered
Review: If you are looking for The Wind in the Willows, keep looking because this is not it. All the British terminology has been removed, most of the references to things British have been removed, all references to guns & knives have been removed (but they left in the picture of Ratty entering Toad Hall with gun in hand), the entire chapter with Pan--one of the most enchanting in the entire book--has been removed, and most references to other literature (such as the chapter title "The Return of Ulysses") have been removed.
What's left? Not much. The story has been so altered as to take all the life out of it. Supposedly this has been done to make the story more accessible to young American readers. To which I reply, let the young American readers work their way up to Wind in the Willows under the tutelage of parents or teachers who love the real story and then give the original version of the book to the children. Wind in the Willows is a wonderful book but this version is not.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Movie
Review: If you've never followed the adventures of a rat, a mole, a badger, or a toad ... well, here is your chance.

This animated movie (that has an un-animated beginning and end) is a delightful mixture of fun, friendship, adventure, and irreverence. The irreverence is provided courtesy of Mr. Toad.

The animation here is excellent, and a good deal of imagination was used in writing the story ... all very much fun ... which follows the lives of the animals living along or near "the river".

The actors who provide the voices for the animals do a superb job of bringing these creatures to life. I think we tend to take these good characterizations for granted, but these fellows here are truly outstanding at giving these animals unique and believable personalities.

My favorite character is the rat ("Rattie") but one cannot help but love Mr. Toad.

But this is a fun movie from beginning to end.


Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: Kenneth Graham achieved a masterpiece with The Wind in the Willows. Please don't judge it on the basis of Disney's "Mr. Toad" cartoon; the book itself is lyrical and engaging, with fun characters in wonderful settings facing a number of thrilling adventures. Some scenes are purely down to earth, such as Mr. Toad's escapades with his beloved automobiles, and some are sheer magic, as the Piper at the Gates of Dawn chapter. Reading the musical Christmas chapter has become a holiday tradition in my family.

This is truly a book that anyone can enjoy, a claim that is often made on the front covers of teen-market books but which rarely stands up to the promise. In this case I could read this book to my youngest and oldest child, and all three of us would be entranced.

Rating:
Summary: The Wind in the Willows
Review: The Wind in the Willows is a delightful children's classic that touches upon many things; wonder, pastoralism, but most of all friendship between individuals very different from one another. One of the hallmarks of this classic is that the adventure stories remain entertaining to this day. A must read for any child.

Rating:
Summary: A primer on friendship
Review: The Wind in the Willows is a delightful children's classic that touches upon many things; wonder, pastoralism, but most of all friendship between individuals very different from one another. One of the hallmarks of this classic is that the adventure stories remain entertaining to this day. A must read for any child.