Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Rating:
Summary: Live action Wind In The Willows is Brilliant
Review: One of my favorite novels, The Wind In The Willows, has been given a faithful retelling in this delightful live action film. All the major story elements are recreated, tied together with a new sub-plot that gives substance to the Weasels's evilness. Terry Jones, who also directed, is simply spendid as Mr. Toad, and has the film's best number to boot. All the actors do a fine job creating animal characters with minimal make-up. The tone throughout is consistent with Kenneth Grahame's original story. A film every family will treasure!

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Toad's Great DVD
Review: Starts a little slow but is strong throughout, very entertaining - aimed at kids, but parents won't be bored!

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Summary: Thoroughly charming - Perfect for kids & Python fans alike
Review: This imaginative Terry Jones adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's childrens classic not only held our 6 and 2 year-old daughters rapt through repeated vieweings, my wife and I enjoyed it, too. The effects and costumes are understated and English, but very effective. The spot-on, sympathetic characterizations of the wacky main characters drive the film, and there are subtle (but discernable) Pythonesque touches here and there (e.g., see if Mr. Toad's courtroom song doesn't remind you a bit of the "Camelot" scene in Holy Grail). A gentle, amusing film that deserves a much larger audience (How is it that I had never heard of this before I happened upon it at a local movie rental store?).

Rating:
Summary: Forgettable
Review: This is a nauseating film at the very least. It was totally ridiculous. Stick with the classic Walt Disney animated version. It is far superior and in the true spirit of the tale. Animals did a lot better in the original than the humans do here!

Rating:
Summary: A Classic Which Shouldn't Be Forgotten
Review: This is a so-called kid's movie that's way too good for kids. It's based on the book The Wind in the Willows. Mr. Toad (Terry Jones) of Toad Hall loves fast cars, crazy inventions, and all the latest fads. He crashes his cars regularly and is spending more money that he has on his enthusiasms. And it seems the Chief Weasel (Antony Sher) and his cronies have been buying up the land Mr. Toad has had to sell. They're going to tear down Toad Hall and build a huge dog food factory in its place. The Chief Weasel plans that the first ingredients to be processed will be Toad and his friends, the meek but brave Mole (Steve Coogan), the picnic-loving, loyal Rat (Eric Idle), and the grumpy, advice-giving Badger (Nicol Williamson). The movie details with great humor their adventures to defeat the Chief Weasel and save Toad Hall.

What makes this movie so special is the loving care Jones took establishing the look of the place and the fullness of the characters. If you pay attention, you'll see some gentle takes on greed, the legal system (John Cleese is a defence attorney who makes an impassioned case in court that his client should receive the maximum sentence), 1984, the protection of our environment, taking responsibility for our actions, and friendship. And the movie is not ponderous or preachy at all. It's great fun.

Disney, which had U.S. rights to the film, did nothing with it. When they finally put it in theaters, after insisting the name be changed from The Wind in the Willows to the name of one of their park rides, they spent almost no marketing money on promotion. Not suprisingly, the movie tanked faster than Mr. Toad's tongue catching a fly.

I've watched it twice now, and skimmed through it again this morning. It should be considered a classic. Little kids would probably like the characters, the color and the action, but my target audience would start with slightly alienated and smart teenagers. They'll get it. And then move on to those adults who like adult things.

The DVD transfer is excellent.

Rating:
Summary: A great film the whole family can enjoy together !
Review: This movie is a great story about Mr. Toad (Terry Jones) and the great adventure he runs in to with his friends, Ratty (Eric Idle), Mole, and Badger. Toad has an oubsesstion with moter cars and it might cost him him home, Toad Hall. In the mean time the Weasles have there own ideas for Toad Hall and the land its on. The ending is clever and in my opinion perfect. But I'm not the type to tell, so i guess you just have to see if for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Great overlooked gem
Review: This movie was barely released in theaters. Great adaptation of the Wind in the Willows stories, with excellent characterizations. Funny and very well-done--not just for kids.

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Toad's Great DVD
Review: This Terry Jones version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is a superbly well made film. Enjoyable by both children and adults, my only regret is that it is not available on DVD. This film is witty, charming and very imaginative. Terry Jones excels as Toad with Eric Idle supporting him as Ratty. Every child should see this version.

Rating:
Summary: A thorougly enjoyable movie.
Review: This Terry Jones version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is a superbly well made film. Enjoyable by both children and adults, my only regret is that it is not available on DVD. This film is witty, charming and very imaginative. Terry Jones excels as Toad with Eric Idle supporting him as Ratty. Every child should see this version.

Rating:
Summary: Monty Python Strikes Again! GREAT FILM!
Review: This was a wonderful film. I saw it in the theaters, and knew that I had to have a copy of the film. Mole's patheticnes is played perfectly by Steve Coogan, as is the playfulness of Ratty by Eric Idle, the gruffness of Badger by Williamson, and the frivolity of Toad by Terry Jones. It's perfect for all ages. The kids will enjoy the silliness of the antics, and adults, the amusing twist on corporate takeovers.