WIND IN THE WILLOWS, THE {COSGROVE HALL VERSION} (TV)
Summary
One of the classics of English children's literature is brought to the screen by top animators of Cosgrove Hall, who created "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." In this musical claymation version of Kenneth Grahame's popular story, acted out in a realistic landscape, a mole gives up on his spring cleaning and visits his friend, Rat, who then takes him to meet his friend Toad. As they travel down the river, Rat sings about the ducks on the water. When they arrive at Toad Hall, Toad invites them to tour the countryside with him in his horse-drawn wagon. While traveling, the three friends sing about the open road until they are run off the road by an automobile. Impressed by the vehicle, Toad decides to buy a car. Unfortunately, he is not a skilled driver and has numerous accidents, destroying one car after another and causing Mole and Rat to worry. Rat suggests that they visit his friend Badger to enlist his help in stopping Toad from endangering himself any further. Thinking it a good idea, Mole decides to go to Badger's himself. He leaves a note for the sleeping Rat explaining where he has gone and ventures into the dangerous Wild Wood where Badger lives. When Rat wakes up and reads the note, he immediately sets out to find Mole. Reunited, the two make their way to Badger's home. In order to teach Toad the proper way to behave and get him to stop driving motor cars, Mole, Rat, and Badger lock Toad in his room, hoping that time will help him get over his obsession with automobiles. However, Toad manages to deceive his three friends, escape from his room, and make his way to the main road where he steals a car. He is arrested and sentenced to twenty years in prison. His friends learn of his predicament and Badger decides to watch over the immense Toad Hall while Toad is away. One night, evil weasels enter the hall, knock Badger out, and take over the estate. Months later, Toad escapes from his cell and makes his way to his friends. They tell him of the weasels' evil doings. Badger comes up with a plan to get the estate back and the next day the foursome venture out to reclaim Toad's home.
Details
- NETWORK: Thames (United Kingdom)
- DATE: November 30, 1982
- RUNNING TIME: 1:18:25
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T88:0098
- GENRE: Children's programs
- SUBJECT HEADING: Clay animation; Children's programs; International Collection - United Kingdom
- SERIES RUN: Thames (United Kingdom) - TV, 1983
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Hambley … Executive Producer
- Brian Cosgrove … Producer
- Mark Hall … Producer, Director
- Chris Taylor … Direction (Misc.), Animation Director
- Marjorie Graham … Animation
- Barry Purves … Animation
- Andrea Lord … Animation
- Sue Pugh … Animation
- Kenneth Grahame … Writer, Based on the novel by
- Rosemary Anne Sisson … Adapted by
- Keith Hopwood … Music by
- Malcolm Rowe … Music by
- Brian Ibbetson … Music (Misc. Credits), Arranged by
- Ian Carmichael … Cast, Rat, Voice
- Michael Hordern … Cast, Badger, Voice
- David Jason … Cast, Frog, Voice
- Richard Pearson … Cast, Mole, Voice
- Beryl Reid … Voice
- Una Stubbs … Voice
- Jonathan Cecil … Voice
- Edward Kelsey … Voice
- Brian Trueman … Voice
- Alan Bardsley … Voice