The Wind In The Willows (DVD)

...guiltily, that I've never read the 'Wind in the Willows'. Yet here I am to pay homage to one of the funniest DVD's I've ever seen. Looking at a few reviews on different websites the general consensus seems to be that, while not quite true to the book, this is still a hilarious and cheering film for both adults and children (it's rated 'Universal'). However, I've also read some very negative reviews from people brought up on the classic children's ...
...changed. As a newcomer to the story I was able to appreciate the wonderful story irrespective of faithfulness to the original. It is still, in my opinion, extremely funny and has a tranquil atmosphere of English countryside, riverbanks and country homes.

I'm a huge fan of "Monty Python's Flying Circus", so with Terry Jones as director, I knew it would have a similar quirky humor. I believe that he and I were on the same wavelength ... more

I must say, most guiltily, that I've never read the 'Wind in the Willows'. Yet here I am to pay homage to one of the funniest DVD's I've ever seen. Looking at a few reviews on different websites the general consensus seems to be that, while not quite true to the book, this is still a hilarious and cheering film for both adults and children (it's rated 'Universal'). However, I've also read some very negative reviews from people brought up on the classic children's story, who find that this film unnecessarily deviates from material so good it should never have to be changed. As a newcomer to the story I was able to appreciate the wonderful story irrespective of faithfulness to the original. It is still, in my opinion, extremely funny and has a tranquil atmosphere of English countryside, riverbanks and country homes.

I'm a huge fan of "Monty Python's Flying Circus", so with Terry Jones as director, I knew it would have a similar quirky humor. I believe that he and I were on the same wavelength with this film… I have never laughed so much in my life!
In my opinion the casting is near on perfect. Some people disappointed with the story-line note this as a redeeming feature. Terry Jones, while also directing, plays the leading role of Toad. One of the great things about this film is the way humans play the animals. There are no ridiculously large animal costumes, computer-generated creatures, or animations of any kind. Instead I got to see my favorite comic actors all prancing around, dressed up in costumes with the subtlest hint of animal-ness, singing songs about riverbanks and knocking out weasels. I am talking about the greatest comic geniuses of a generation, the remnants of the "Monty Python" Team… Terry Jones, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin… famous faces from television such as Nigel Planer ("The Young Ones") and Stephen Fry (my favorite comic actor of all)…great Shakespearian actors of the stage, Nicol Williamson and Anthony Sher… alongside a few new faces, such as the wonderful Steve Coogan and Julia Sawahla.

Costume is a genuine strength of this film. The casting is so brilliant that the actors become the animals almost effortlessly. For example, Terry Jones as Toad is made-up with pale green face paint, his pompous chest inflated slightly, finished off with a wild enthusiasm and squeaky voice that is most definitely 'Toad'. Eric Idle is fantastic as Ratty. I wouldn't say he has a 'rat-like' look about him normally, but with the simple addition of a tail and whiskers he becomes an extremely convincing water-rat. I love his mustache which twinges in a zig-zag shape when he's startled, meaning he has to straighten it again. The weasels are also very convincing with an evil glint. Anthony Sher is sublimely sinister with his bola hat and whiskers.

The Story:
The story is similar to the original book by Kenneth Grahame, but with a modern twist, adding a moral message against countryside developers and despoilers of natural beauty.

The story centres around Mole (Steve Coogan) who, disturbed by heavy machinery, nearly has his house fall down around him while he is in it. He leaves his cosy underground hole in search of safety meeting Ratty (Eric Idle) and learning the joys of the riverside. This DVD has many musical interludes such as 'Messing about on the river'. Later they meet Toad (director Terry Jones), a whimsical and exuberant character who fills up the screen and who happens to have a incurable love of crashing motor cars. Ratty and Toad take it upon themselves to cure him, stumbling upon the ferocious and grumpy Badger (Nicol Williamson) who sees that Toad's lovely country house and great wealth are all in danger. The bad guys in this film are undoubtedly the Weasels, who in ripping off and exploiting Toad are attempting to turn Toad Hall into a dog food factory. By destroying the country side and those who love it, the Weasels make some dangerous enemies. My favourite scene by far is the wonderful song and dance ending in which Mole, Ratty and Badger beat up weasels and send them flying round the room. I laughed out loud to see Toad in a washer-woman's outfit, and seeing him swinging round the courtroom singing about how wonderful he is.

As with good children's tales, this has an exciting story and a happy ending. It is definitely quirky and has a strange charm about it, even if not entirely true to the book. While overlooked on its original release, discovering for myself was truly like digging up hidden treasure.

DVD Extras:
The extras are nothing special. A four-minute feature called "From Sketches to Scene" shows some storyboard sketches for the train-ride escape sequence, interspersed with the actual film scene. A three-minute feature on the costumes used in the movie was also quite interesting, but still nothing special. There is also a 'Making Of' documentary, a 25 minute piece that is titled "Go Wild in the Country".

The director's commentary is what I enjoyed most as it shows how Terry Jones' vision came to be put on screen, and I really felt on his wavelength… what he found funny left me roaring with laughter… just the right amount of quirky not to go right over your head. A trailer and "Sing along" versions to four of the most memorable songs finish off the extras. I think this bit is great for kids who get to sing along to "We were born on the same river bank, and friends is what we is…" What inspired lyrics! My other favourite song is the one sung by the weasels as they are truly evil, but with that slight incompetence that makes them seem too stupid to do any harm. Great for kids… absolutely! (As far as I can tell, it's only the adults complaining about a lack of authenticity… I'm a big kid at heart and I loved it).

I highly recommend seeing this DVD, just so that you are in a position to judge for yourself how funny, how wonderful it is. True fans of the original 'Wind in the Willows' can then decide for themselves if it has been completely wrecked or been made just a bit more special.

DVD Details:
Actors: Terry Jones, Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Anthony Sher, Nicol Williamson, Stephen Fry, Bernard Hill, Michael Palin, Nigel Planer, Julia Sawalha
Director: Terry Jones
Classification: Universal
Production Year: 1996
Running Time: 1h 24 mins
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio: Pathe Distribution Ltd; 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Number of discs: 1
Special Features: Sketch To Screen Including Commentary By Costume And Set Designer Jim Acheson, Go Wild In The Country The Making Of Wind In The Willows, Directors Commentary, Sing A Long With 4 Songs, Original Theatrical Trailer

Price:
Amazon are selling this DVD for £5.99! This is great value, and really worth a look if you're just curious as to what I'm going on about. 

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