The Wind In The Willows cover art

The Wind In The Willows Reviews

2006 Certificate U
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 144 members

Live-action adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame classic THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Follow the misadventures of Mole, Ratty, Toad, Badger, and the other eccentric woodland creatures as they get up to all sorts of humourous high jinks. This lavish BBC production features an all-star cast that includes Bob Hoskins, Matt Lucas, and .. Read more

Starring Matt Lucas, Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter, Anna Maxwell Martin
Director Rachel Talalay
Genres Children, Television

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  • Critics' reviews (3) of The Wind In The Willows

    View all
  • A more perfect feast of feelgood, family-oriented fun could hardly be imagined than Lee ‘Billy Elliot’ Hall’s terrific adaptation of The Wind in the Willows… this version must be counted among the very best

    • The Telegraph
  • A beautiful, lovingly produced and faithfully adapted production... the incorrigible Toad makes a fine companion for the new year

    • The Sunday Times
  • Lucas is quite simply hilarious in this fantastically entertaining adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s well-loved children’s story

    • TV Times
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Wind In The Willows

    View all
  • 20 out of 29 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Toadally disappointing

    Venturing out from his subterranean dwelling, Mole joins Ratty in his boat, for a voyage up the river. They soon encounter the wealthy Mr Toad, who has adopted caravanning as a new pastime. Nonetheless this leisure pursuit is traded with a different one when he is forced off the road by a motorcar – igniting a new craze in his life. Whilst Badger, Mole and Ratty struggle to alleviate Toad of his car fixation, the weasels use it against him in order to acquire the deeds to Toad Hall.

    Taking into account who the members of the cast were, I was expecting something much, much funnier. It is apparent that a good effort has been made by all, but the result is simply not the sum of the parts. There’s no real plot and the kids post interest very quickly. If I’m honest I would rather do housework!!!

    • JediSi
      • JediSi
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    * * * This review contains spoilers * * *ShowHide

    Rated - 4 stars

    fun, and a feel good film

      • A customer from London
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Matt Lucas Brilliance

    While i am not as down on this as the previous viewer, there are certainly better adaptations of Wind In The Willows. However, There are some good points to this one I am reviewing. First and foremost, Matt Lucas as Toad is exceptional - it is almost as if he was born to play the part. The laughs that were to be had out of this were nearly all from his performance. The other performances are ok at worst but not as outstanding.

    Some parts of the story seem very rushed and the show would definitely had been improved by adding some more time or even turning it into two parts. The scenic views and production of the piece though are very good for what is essentially a kids show. This DVD is worth getting to watch once but dont expect as much as what might be from a BBC production.

      • A customer from Portmouth, England
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Wind In The Willows

    View all
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Wind in the Willows

    Very endearing and sweet film Children of all ages never tire of it. Great fun

      • A customer from Hastings
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Matt Lucas Brilliance

    While i am not as down on this as the previous viewer, there are certainly better adaptations of Wind In The Willows. However, There are some good points to this one I am reviewing. First and foremost, Matt Lucas as Toad is exceptional - it is almost as if he was born to play the part. The laughs that were to be had out of this were nearly all from his performance. The other performances are ok at worst but not as outstanding.

    Some parts of the story seem very rushed and the show would definitely had been improved by adding some more time or even turning it into two parts. The scenic views and production of the piece though are very good for what is essentially a kids show. This DVD is worth getting to watch once but dont expect as much as what might be from a BBC production.

      • A customer from Portmouth, England
  • 20 out of 29 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Toadally disappointing

    Venturing out from his subterranean dwelling, Mole joins Ratty in his boat, for a voyage up the river. They soon encounter the wealthy Mr Toad, who has adopted caravanning as a new pastime. Nonetheless this leisure pursuit is traded with a different one when he is forced off the road by a motorcar – igniting a new craze in his life. Whilst Badger, Mole and Ratty struggle to alleviate Toad of his car fixation, the weasels use it against him in order to acquire the deeds to Toad Hall.

    Taking into account who the members of the cast were, I was expecting something much, much funnier. It is apparent that a good effort has been made by all, but the result is simply not the sum of the parts. There’s no real plot and the kids post interest very quickly. If I’m honest I would rather do housework!!!

    • JediSi
      • JediSi
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    * * * This review contains spoilers * * *ShowHide

    Rated - 4 stars

    fun, and a feel good film

      • A customer from London
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Matt Lucas Brilliance

    While i am not as down on this as the previous viewer, there are certainly better adaptations of Wind In The Willows. However, There are some good points to this one I am reviewing. First and foremost, Matt Lucas as Toad is exceptional - it is almost as if he was born to play the part. The laughs that were to be had out of this were nearly all from his performance. The other performances are ok at worst but not as outstanding.

    Some parts of the story seem very rushed and the show would definitely had been improved by adding some more time or even turning it into two parts. The scenic views and production of the piece though are very good for what is essentially a kids show. This DVD is worth getting to watch once but dont expect as much as what might be from a BBC production.

      • A customer from Portmouth, England
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Elegant like an Ikebana

    Well presenting of human misseries in a elegant manner

    Smart acting and smart costums.

    Very well directed also

      • A customer from Taunton
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Wind in the Willows

    Very endearing and sweet film Children of all ages never tire of it. Great fun

      • A customer from Hastings
  • Critics' reviews (3)

  • A more perfect feast of feelgood, family-oriented fun could hardly be imagined than Lee ‘Billy Elliot’ Hall’s terrific adaptation of The Wind in the Willows… this version must be counted among the very best

    • The Telegraph
  • A beautiful, lovingly produced and faithfully adapted production... the incorrigible Toad makes a fine companion for the new year

    • The Sunday Times
  • Lucas is quite simply hilarious in this fantastically entertaining adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s well-loved children’s story

    • TV Times

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    • The Wind In The Willows
      Live-action adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame classic THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Follow the misadventures of Mole, Ratty, Toad, Badger, and the other eccentric woodland creatures as they get up to all sorts of humourous high jinks. This lavish BBC production features an all-star cast that includes ...

Rating breakdown

144 Member ratings
  • 100
20
  • 90
5
  • 80
29
  • 70
21
  • 60
34
  • 50
9
  • 40
13
  • 30
4
  • 20
5
  • 10
4

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