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The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (G, 1949)

common sense media says

Two classic stories told in the best Disney style.

parents & educators say
  • 50% say violence is an issue
See all 9 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is some slapstick violence in the two tales on this video. More extreme is the Headless Horseman'a multiple attempts to behead Ichabod Crane with a sword. The horseman is never actually revealed to be the town bully in disguise, so some kids may find him quite terrifying.

Positive messages: The film blends comedy with fright and does not have any clear positve messages or themes. Ichabod is bullied for his odd looks and behaviors and in the end does not get the girl.
Positive role models: Men compete to marry "coquette" (as she is called in the movie) Katrina von Tassel. Bram Bones uses trickery to "win" her. Ichabod is charming but also scheming as he seeks to win Katrina and her father's wealth.
Violence & scariness: Keystone Cops-like chases in Mr. Toad. The Headless Horseman attempts to behead Ichabod Crane with a sword multiple times. The horseman is never actually revealed to be the town bully in disguise, so some kids may find him quite terrifying.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the dated stereotypes of the "coquettish" woman and strutting men who compete to "win" her. 
  • Families may also wish to read and discuss the book The Wind in the Willows, from which Mr. Toad's story is drawn, and Washington Irving's classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. How do the stories change between the book and the screen?
  • The bullying that Ichabod receives because of his appearance.

What's the story?

What's the story?
This Disney double-feature offers animated adaptations of two children's literature classics: Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, and Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. In the first tale, Thaddeus Toad, adventure-loving master of Toad Hall, becomes enamored of a shining motorcar and falls afoul of a group of scheming weasels. Friends Rat, Mole, and Badger try to save Toad from himself, and from losing Toad Hall. The second story is set in a colonial New York village, where gangly schoolteacher Ichabod Crane and roughneck Brom Bones vie for the hand of heiress Katrina Van Tassel. Just when it seems that Ichabod has won with his refined grace, Brom plays on his rival's superstitious nature with a Halloween tale of the headless horseman, a legend that terrifies Ichabod on a long nighttime ride home.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Often overlooked even by Disney fans, this is classic Disney animation at its best and features Basil Rathbone and Bing Crosby as narrators. With a cozy Edwardian setting, a dollop of slapstick violence, and a variety of British stereotypes, the tale of Mr. Toad is an endearing foray into Merrie Olde England.

The American tale is a bit more ambitious, and not without its drawbacks. Some of the animation and design owe as much to Van Gogh as to Disney's own Fantasia. With his long limbs and oversized ears and nose, Ichabod Crane is certainly a memorable creation; Katrina and Brom Bones seem dull by comparison. The climactic sequence of Ichabod and the pumpkin-headed horseman is truly gripping, making it too intense for younger or more sensitive children. The Bing Crosby songs that pad it out are by far the weakest part of this otherwise first-rate tale.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: James Algar
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Bing Crosby, Eric Blore
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 68 minutes
Theatrical release: October 5, 1949
DVD release: October 3, 2000
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by M. Faust
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say violence is an issue
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Most useful reviews by all members

MerryJ
parent of 4 and 6 year old
4
 
This movie is based very loosely on two famous works of literature. The first is based on "The Wind in the Willows". The movie doesn't live up to the book, but my 4 year old enjoyed it. I think most of the plot went over his head. Be aware that Toad is gripped by "mania", put on trail, sent to jail, escapes from jail and is up to mischief. We suggested we turn it off before the second story, because we thought it would be too scary. It is based on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and we knew to expect a headless horseman. We tried it, and he didn't find it too scary, but I think it was because he didn't really understand what was going on. He kept giggling at the funny faces Ichibod was making while he was scared. The "romance" in this part was not particularly nice, and I hope some of the messages went over my son's head. The female character is a flirt; Ichibod and his rival compete for her attention, and are unkind to each other; Ichibod dreams of marrying her for her beauty and her money. We didn't really enjoy the movie.
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myab
parent
6
 
Watch It Every Year
For some much younger viewers it might seem a little too violent, though it's all very cartoonish. However, since it's Halloween fair, I'd say use your judgment for what your child can tolerate. Liked the message about friendship, and about being careful in making life decisions (mainly in the Mr. Toad movie). This a wonderful classic combo to start your kid out with when he/she wants something a little scary.
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who3697cares
teen, 18 years old
5
 
Deserves to be held in much higher regard than it is.
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MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
7
 
These are two classics which are sadly not seen enough these days! I owned this movie when I was younger and we lost it when we moved across the country, but I still remember how much I loved this movie! Great for halloween and any other time of the year.
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ken_y
parent of 9 year old
7
 
Great family entertainment.
Classic Disney treatment of classics. Mr. Toad is very funny. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is wonderfully told. Sure there are old fashioned characters and relationships. But these are classic stories.
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cosmo
teen, 18 years old
10
 
Parent raiting
Watched it when I was 5 my parents scared me after it by sending me outside then when I came back inside when it was dark they got an orange pumpkin head and scared me now every Halloween I have been scared stiff and I am 15 I started to get over it at 10 but still. It depends on the type of parent you are if your the whole type of BOO during saw you probably don't want to show your kids.
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arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
7
 
i like this movie a lot!
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Tibbets
kid, 12 years old
7
 
Ichabod and Mr. Toad are amazing at recreating classic novels
This is the best way to show two awesome classics! There are some action scenes as cops chase Mr. Toad and little kids will find the Legend of Sleepy Hollow very scary (I like it, though) and many men fall deeply in love with Katrina, but it's a great classic people will love. It's great.
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scarymoviesforlife
kid, 11 years old
7
 
It's ok.
This movie is kind of boring. I would say it's for kids 7 and up. Just because of the headless person.
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