MovieChat Forums > The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1950) Discussion > Have You Read Both Of These Books?

Have You Read Both Of These Books?

posted 17 years ago by DeceptiveFox
10 replies | jump to latest

Just wondering how many people have actually read either Grahame's "Wind In The Willows" or Irving's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and if so did you enjoy them?

A while ago, for some random reason...possibly having a lack of something to read at the time, I decided to read all the original stories that Disney based his animated features on.

Most people usually find the book to be superior for obvious reasons, but I have to say I preferred Disney's cartoon to the actual book. The Wind In The Willows was just far too lazy for me.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was fantastic though, and I'm glad I read it.

[–] BoyScoutKevin 16 years ago

Yes. I've read both books. And while I enjoyed both books, indeed, Grahame's "Wind in the Willows" is one of my favorite novels of all time, I do agree that the films are better.

One of the things that I think separates the film from the book "The Wind in the Willows," is the ending. In the book, Toad reforms, but in the film, while Toad may have given up autocars, he has taken up flying and aeroplanes. (IMHO) a much more fitting ending for Toad.

[–] trisp 15 years ago

I like the Wind in the Willows cartoon. But I really like the novel more mainly because the characters seem more developed and there is some beautiful imagery that just didn't make it into the cartoon. I will agree though that the thing with the airplane was a better way to leave Toad off.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow works in both forms. The cartoon is perhaps one of the most faithful film versions of the story. I'm not sure how Washington Irving would've reacted to the short woman who tries to win Brom Bones's affection, but who knows. I think the chase scene is definitely better than how it's described in the book. The chase scene in the story is practically only 3 sentences long. But they really gave a chase here that not only sends chills down the audiences spine but also provides much welcome humor like Ichabod having his face covered with mud or landing on the Horseman's horse.

"HOPSCOTCH!"

[–] ja_kitty_71 13 years ago

Yes I did And I like them
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*nya* *purr*

[–] DeepFriedJello 11 years ago

I had never read Sleepy Hallow and had always assumed the whole thing was dark, evil and scary. When I saw this goofy, musical version, I thought it was totally off. So I did a google of the story and it seems this closely follows the original story. Now my impression is that it is more of a fairy tale than a thriller.
I remember Wind in the Willows books as a child, and loved the drawings in the book and the stories. This story isn't one I remember though.

[–] [email protected] 11 years ago

I do love 'Wind in the Willows' the book, but didn't think Disney's treatment measured up. To be fair, though, none of the adaptations I've seen have.

'Sleepy Hollow', however, I consider a fine job. The Disney handprint may put some people off, but I found it a good, respectful adaptation. Love Mary Blair's stylish design work here too.

[–] mtman318 10 years ago

I've only briefly skimmed through the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but I was surprised by how close the Disney adaptation is to it, both in detail and in "spirit." I've seen only one other adaptation, with Jeff Goldblum as Ichabod, and that one was much different.

[–] I_have_a_brain_cloud 9 years ago

Wind in the Willows is one of my favorite books of all time. It does not have much action. It is really just an imaginative portrayal of the domestic lives and relationships of "woodland creatures," who are thinly disguised caricatures of English gentlemen of the time (1907). The toad episodes are probably my least favorite parts of the book. The book is a slow-moving, romantic elegy about the natural world (however unnatural the characters actually are). The absolute best chapter in the book, in my opinion, is "Piper at the Gates of Dawn." It is just exquisite writing.

I'm English, and if there's anything more deplorable than our cooking, it's our lovemaking

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] cmashieldscapting 8 years ago

Yes, The Wind in the Willows was a great favorite with my mother and grandfather, but I actually read it for credit in high school. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was one of those stories I always meant to read but kept putting off. Funny thing is a few years ago I caught an Andy Griffith episode where Andy and Opie, while trying to read the story, are so frequently interrupted that Opie memorizes the passage, "It was the very witching time of night that Ichabod, heavy-hearted and crestfallen, pursued his travels homewards, along the sides of the lofty hills which rise above Tarry Town, and which he had traversed so cheerily in the afternoon." This finally jogged me into actually reading the story after many years of familiarity with the tale, and yes, I did enjoy it! I hadn't seen this film since I was a child in school, I remembered it as great, and when I finally saw it again the other day, it was!

[–] Degree7 8 years ago

"Piper At the Gates of Dawn"

Hey, wasn't that a Pink Floyd album?

~ I'm a 21st century man and I don't wanna be here.