The Wind in the Willows – 1988 | 96 mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Colourful live-action adaptation of the classic children’s novel by Kenneth Grahame. The Wind In The Willows features an all-star cast from the cream of British comedy including ex-Monty Python members Terry Jones, Eric Idle, John Cleese, and Michael Palin, also Steve Coogan, Stephen Fry and Victoria Wood; all sporting minimal animal characteristics. This charming yet listless adventure revels in English eccentricity and is enlivened throughout by occasional bursts of song, although the tunes are sadly instantly forgettable. The story originally satirised the British class system and Industrial Age; but Jones’s version includes an anti-Thatcherite ecological message. Aimed squarely at sophisticated children, film will also delight grownups alike. When theatrically released, The Wind in the Willows became embroiled in a lawsuit between Disney and Colombia and died at the box-office due to a lack of promotion and limited distribution.

In an Edwardian fantasy world, a group of river residents discover their homes are in danger from the ruthless Weasels (Anthony Sher) property developing. In order to satisfy his passion for motorcars, the reckless Toad (Terry Jones) has been selling off his neighbour’s land to the industrialist Weasels as prime development land on which they plan to build a giant dog-food factory. Humble Mole (Steve Coogan) is consequently forced from his underground home and seeks refuge with Rat (Eric Idle). When Toad crashes yet another vehicle he is subsequently jailed for driving offences, it is up to Mole, Rat and Badger (Nicol Williamson) to help him escape and reclaim Toad Hall from the wily Weasels.