The Wind in the Willows is a TV series that was originally broadcast between 1984 and 1987, based on characters from Kenneth Grahame's classic story The Wind in the Willows and following the 1983 film The Wind in the Willows. It was made by animation company Cosgrove Hall for Thames Television and shown on the ITV network. An hour-long feature, A Tale Of Two Toads, was broadcast in 1989, and a fifth season of 13 episodes was shown in 1990 under the title Oh! Mr Toad in some countries, whilst retaining the title The Wind in the Willows in others.
The series stars David Jason as Toad and the Chief Weasel, the late Michael Hordern as Badger, Peter Sallis as Rat (replacing Ian Carmichael who voiced Rat in the original 1983 film), and the late Richard Pearson as Mole. Ian Carmichael remained in the series, re-cast as the narrator. The Chief Weasel was almost always accompanied by his unnamed bumbling henchman.
The series is sometimes misidentified as being filmed in claymation. The method used by Cosgrove Hall is a stop-motion animation process using scale model sets and posable character figurines. The figurines are composed of an articulate metal skeleton (armature) covered in latex rubber, providing the flexibility and the detail which distinguishes the series.
The series is set at "The Riverbank", a mythical location somewhere in Berkshire. The Riverbank is where Ratty, Mole and Toad live. Nearby is the Wild Wood, where Badger and the Wily Weasels live. Each episode has a unique story line, although there are some common themes running throughout the series. In series 4, the humans start building a new railway that is planned to be built through the area where the animals live. The show teaches children about the destruction of forests and animals' natural habits. The railway gets closer and closer to the animals' homes, yet in the episode Happy New Year it turns out that the railway would be travelling under unsuitable land, and therefore the route is diverted from the Riverbank & Wild Wood areas.
The popular theme song - based on the instrumental theme to the original film - was sung by British singer-songwriter Ralph McTell. The Stone Roses guitarist John Squire also worked on this series, but as a prop maker not a musician.
The Wind in the Willows (1983 film) (27 December 1983)
'A Tale of Two Toads' (6 December 1989)
The Chief Weasel discovers that Toad has a double: an actor, impersonator and con artist (in short, someone after his own heart) called Isambard Bilbone Toad. Together, they form a plan which involves the kidnapping of the real Toad and the acquisition of Toad Hall, all without the riverbankers noticing. Once this is done, Isambard continues to play the rôle of Toad in public, having perfected his voice and mannerisms. However, Badger, Rat and Mole cannot help noticing some slight oddities about their friend, particularly when he spreads slanderous remarks that the three have supposedly made about each other. Then, as if that were not strange enough, Toad breaks off his friendship with them, in favour of the weasels who are now sharing the Hall. Eventually, Badger’s keen observation leads them to realise the truth, and they must now rescue the real Toad before the weasels put an even more audacious plan into action...
The Narrator (Ian Carmichael)Main Characters
Mole (Richard Pearson) - Mild-mannered, unassuming and modest, Mole lives in a humble home underground. Although the book featured him as the key protagonist, he plays less of a role in the series in comparison with characters like Toad.Rat (Peter Sallis) - Best friend to Mole. A laid-back, reasonable fellow with a taste for poetry and music, and a great love for the river by which he lives.Toad (David Jason) - The wealthy owner of Toad Hall, the finest home in the county. Although overly enthusiastic, vain, conceited and not too bright, he is kind hearted and loves his friends dearly. He always throws himself into all kinds of new crazes, without much in the way of consideration. His main catchphrase is "It's the only thing!" Many episodes conclude with his friends chorusing "Oh, Toad!" in despair at his unstoppable enthusiasm and incompetence.Badger (Michael Hordern) - The Nestor of the group. Well respected by all for his wisdom and strength. Stern and conservative, but with a strong sense of justice, he always tries to keep Toad & The Weasels out of trouble.Chief Weasel (David Jason) - The villainous leader of the Weasels, the bullies and thieves of the Wild Wood. He often tries to trick Toad out of his wealth. However, he is not all bad, and at times will selflessly come to the aid of other animals in need - examples including Mole in "Badger's Remedy"; Otter's son Portly in "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" and a lost shrew, Ernest, in "The Rescue".Henchman Weasel (Brian Trueman) - the Chief's second-in-command; known for his catchphrase, "Very nice, very nice!".Recurring Characters
Otter (Brian Southwood) - One of the inhabitants of the River Bank.Portly (Brian Southwood) - Otter's sonBilly Rabbit (David Jason) - "Billy" is present in all series. He first appears in the Series 1 episode "The Grand Annual Show", but becomes more of a recurring character from Series 3 onwards. He is not to be confused with Billy the Fieldmouse, who appears on and off in the series. Both appear together in a number of episodes.Alfred (Allan Bardsley) - "Alfred" is Toad's sardonic and disagreeable but good-hearted horse who always refuses to do what Toad wants to do. He briefly appeared in the film with a singing role and then made on and off appearances in the series. His catchphrases are "Nope" and "Ar".Auberon Mole (Howard Lew Lewis) - Mole's cousin; in the series, is a well-known playwright, and the focus of the episodes "Mole's Cousin", "Auberon's Return" and "Happy New Year".Mrs. Carrington-Moss (Beryl Reid) - The magistrate in the film; she appears in the episodes, "The Grand Annual Show", "Buried Treasure", and "Burglary at Toad Hall".Reggie and Rosemary - The owners of the stolen motor car in the film; they appear in the episodes, "The Grand Annual Show", and "Burglary at Toad Hall".Thomas (Jimmy Hibbert) - Auberon's chauffeur and personal assistant, who is also a toad. He appears in the episodes "Mole's Cousin" and "Happy New Year". United Kingdom Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand France Germany Portugal SwedenVHS - Video Collection International Ltd./DVD - PT Video Ltd.The film (1983) (VHS - 1986 & 1993 re-release & DVD 2000)A Tale of Two Toads (1989) (VHS - 1989 & 1994 re-release & DVD 2008)The Four Seasons - A 2 VHS boxset (1998), containing one episode each from the original four season based Videos (See Below!) - May Day, Grand Annual Show, Harvest and Winter Sports.Spring (DVD) / Spring Follies (VHS - 1988) - The Great Steamer, Paperchase (The Lost River in newer VHS 1995), May DaySummer (DVD) / Summer Escapades (VHS - 1987 & 1995) - Toad: Photographer, The Great Golfing Gamble, Grand Annual ShowAutumn (DVD) / Autumn Antics (VHS - 1988 & 1995) - Harvest, Monster of the Wild Wood, Remember, RememberWinter (DVD) / Winter Tales (VHS - 1986 & 1994) - The Yuletide Entertainment (Cut version on the DVD), Winter Sports, The Rescue (Cut version on the VHS).VHS
All VHS titles released by Video Collection International Ltd.The Further Adventures of Mr Toad (VHS - 1989) - The Further Adventures of Mr Toad, Patient Toad (The Storm in one with a different picture on its VHS cover), Fire at Toad Hall.Masquerade (VHS - 1987) - A Producer's Lot, Winter Haunts, Fancy Dress.The Enthusiastic Mr Toad/Oh Toad! (Double Pack VHS - 1987)The Enthusiastic Mr Toad - Mercury of the Motorbicycle, Mr Toad's Telephone, Toad, Astronomer.Oh Toad! - Caught in a Maze, Masterchef, Champion of the Green Baize.Oh! Mr Toad! (VHS - 1990) - Oarsman Toad, Midsummer Night's Disaster, The Complete Bungler.The Labyrinth and other stories (VHS - 1992) - The Labyrinth, Bankruptcy, Unlikely Allies.Lord Toad and other stories (VHS - 1992) - Lord Toad, Hall for Sale, Toad's Harvest.Patient Toad and other stories (VHS - 1989) - Patient Toad, The Kidnapping of Toad, Badger's Remedy.Mole's Cousin and other stories (VHS - 1989) - Mole's Cousin, Auberon Returns, Happy New Year.The Wind in the Willows Bumper Special (VHS - 1990) - Mr Toad of the Times, Toad in Motion, Piano-Roll Toad, Gypsy Toad, Toad in Love.My Bumper The Wind In The Willows: Fun & Games (VHS - 1997) - Mercury of the Motorbicycle, Champion of the Green Baize, The Tournament, Hot Air, Fighting Fit.Sample VHS tape (1988) that includes School Days and Hot Air.DVD
In 2003, Time Life DVD released a set of 6 DVD'S with 4 Digitally Re-mastered episodes on each disc containing various episodes from Series 1 - 3, these were as followed,1. Classic Willows Tales - 1. The Yuletide Entertainment (cut version), 2. Caught in a Maze, 3. Grand Annual Show, 4. Badger's Remedy.
2. Typical Toad - 1. Mercury of the Motor bicycle, 2. Burglary at Toad Hall, 3. Fire at Toad Hall, 4. Patient: Toad.
3. Ratty and Mole:Chums For Life - 1. The Ghost at Mole End, 2. The Great Steamer, 3. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, 4. The Storm.
4. Champion of the Willows - 1. Paper Chase, 2. The Great Golfing Gamble, 3. Champion of the Green Baize, 4. Winter Sports.
5. Those Wily Weasels - 1. The Weasels' Trap, 2. The Rescue, 3. Unlikely Allies, 4. Fancy-Dress.
6. Wise Old Badger - 1. Buried Treasure, 2. Harvest, 3. School Days, 4. A Producer's Lot.
These DVD's are now out of print and are very rare to find but can be found on eBay every so often.
The Four Seasons - released in MAY 2006The Complete Series 1 - released on 26 March 2007The Complete Series 2 - released on 25 June 2007Wind In The Willows - The Complete Collection - released on 13 October 2011 (features all 65 episodes including those from Oh Mr. Toad! plus both films)3 DVDs were made as part of a one-off Daily Mail event around the end of 2008, each containing six episodes. Two of them are similar to The Four Seasons collection.Disc One: Six classic episodes from the 1st series - The Further Adventures of Toad, The Kidnapping of Toad, The Ghost at Mole End, Buried Treasure, Mole's Cousin, The Open Road Again.Disc Two: Spring and Summer - The Great Steamer, The Lost River, Paper Chase, May Day, Toad: Photographer, The Great Golfing Gamble, Grand Annual Show.Disc Three: Autumn and Winter - The Harvest, Monster of the Wild Wood, Remember, Remember, The Yuletide Entertainment, Winter Sports, The Rescue.The film (1983)A Tale of Two Toads (1988)The Feature Films Collection - A compendium of The Movie and A Tale of Two Toads.The Complete First SeriesThe Complete Second SeriesThe Wind in the Willows Four-Pack - Includes both feature films, and the complete first and second series.The film (1983) - There have been VHS releases Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring, among others.
