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The Wind in the Willows: The Complete First Series (G, 2005)

common sense media says

Quality tales about animal pals and gentler times.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids used to computer animation of Pixar and its ilk may find the claymation a bit low-tech. But these engaging, gentle stories of friendship are well worth sharing with your kids. The animation is actually quite wonderful. The figures of the animals are very expressive, and the narration perfectly suits the characters.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on The Wind in the Willows: The Complete First Series

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the old-fashioned setting and the human characteristics of the animals, and re-visit, or read for the first time, Grahame's classic book. Families can also discuss the difference between claymation and computer animation. Can you think of any recent, popular TV shows or movies that use claymation, instead of computer animation?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Four animal friends in Edwardian England star in these gentle stories, based on the book by Kenneth Grahame. Badger is stern but kind, Mole is gentle and shy, Ratty is a poet and a lover of nature, and Toad is boastful and silly, but always learns in the end that friendship matters most. The friends wrangle with the wily weasels, search for buried treasure, struggle with the urge to see more of the world, and rescue Toad from various scrapes of his own devising.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
These stories are more sophisticated than a lot of what's out there for kids, so they make perfect viewing for the whole family. The pace is leisurely and the stories range from more to less exciting, but they are all interesting and intelligent, with wonderful narration by English actors, and beautifully executed claymation that really does bring the characters to life.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: A&E Home Video
Director: Jackie Cockle
Cast: David Jason, Peter Sallis, Richard Pearson
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 260 minutes
Theatrical release: March 29, 2005
DVD release: March 29, 2005
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: all audiences
This review was written by Sarah Wenk
 
 

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