The Wind in the Willows: The Feature Films Collection - NR
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that younger kids might be scared by the movies' weasel characters and the scenes in which a character is sent to prison. Kids accustomed to fast-moving, digitally enhanced animated movies may find these stories slow in the beginning.
Families can talk about the different personalities of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad. What is each animal like? How do they complement one another? What are their positive and negative traits? What does the movie teach about friendship? Parents might need to explain some of the British expressions and mannerisms, such as "bubble and squeak."
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Teresa Talerico
A charming two-DVD set with the look and feel of a pop-up storybook, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS: THE FEATURE FILM COLLECTION is based on the turn-of-the-century children's book by Kenneth Grahame.
The collection's two movies -- The Wind in the Willows and The Wind in the Willows: A Tale of Two Toads -- feature stop-motion animation that seems utterly enchanting and three-dimensional in this increasingly computerized age.
Set in Edwardian England, The Wind in the Willows is the quintessential "buddy movie." It follows the adventures of four animal friends: mild-mannered Mole (voiced by Richard Pearson), sensible Rat (Ian Carmichael), gruffly wise Badger (Michael Hordern), and the lively but irresponsible Toad (David Jason), who's forever investing his sizable inheritance in the latest fads. Initially, the film is serene and slow paced, which may be an adjustment for some kids.
But the action kicks in when Toad develops an unhealthy yet hilarious fascination with driving motorcars. His friends stage an intervention for their irrepressible amphibian buddy and are drawn into various adventures, taking them from the lavish Toad Hall to the spooky Wild Wood.
In A Tale of Two Toads, Toad is kidnapped by a suavely villainous look-alike and his band of thuggish weasels. The imposter plans to take over Toad Hall, force Toad to become his servant, and oust his pals from town. However, when the villain is discovered, Rat, Mole, and Badger rally to rescue their friend. The plot turns comic as the two sides try to outwit each other. Kids will love the scene in which the other characters can't tell Toad and his doppelganger apart.
Both movies include songs and alternate between heartwarming scenes and downright zaniness. The four main characters have memorable, distinct personalities; parents will appreciate their articulate, refined way of speaking and, most importantly, their loyalty to one another through thick and thin.
Special features include an interview with animator Brian Cosgrove, a bonus episode from the TV series, and "Toad's Road Trivia Game." Families who enjoy this DVD might also like The Incredible Adventures of Wallace & Gromit or The Wind in the Willows: The Complete First Season.
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ViolenceA group of weasels is somewhat sinister. A character gets hit over the head and knocked out. Fretting over a reckless friend, characters remark that "He'll kill himself one day" or "He'll kill someone sooner or later." A character is kidnapped by con artists who plan to destroy the homes of the protagonists. |
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Social BehaviorFour friends stick together through thick and thin, valuing loyalty above all else. |
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