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the most faithful-to-the-boo k-film of all time

posted 20 years ago by laterosenoonvale
6 replies | jump to latest

This version of "The Wind in the Willows" is without doubt the most faithful adaptation of a book into film of all time. It's so in tune with the book that the narrator is actually READING the book, and the lines the characters speak are directly from the pages. Everything is included (except for one tiny thing, but that's not a big deal) and nothing is added. It's absolutely perfect and the best version of Wind in the Willows on film you can find.

[–] kayinpa 18 years ago

I agree! I read the book after seeing this version and couldnt believe how close they were. I also believe this version is superior to the Disney one. My husband really enjoys this movie also. "Messing About in Boats"

[–] ameized 18 years ago

I also agree that this is an excellent cartoon. The cast is superb especially Rik Mayall as Toad and, like someone else mentioned in the comments, the animation having that old-fashioned painting feel rather than that of Disney cartoons truly enhances the vivid landscapes and the look of the characters throughout the film. Having the live-action parts isn't that bad either.

[–] intensivecarebear 17 years ago

"This version of "The Wind in the Willows" is without doubt the most faithful adaptation of a book into film of all time. It's so in tune with the book that the narrator is actually READING the book, and the lines the characters speak are directly from the pages"

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What about the Cosgrove-Hall version in the 1980s? That was also faithful to the book, though there were some omissions. This adaptation was good, but for my money no-one ever voiced Ratty and Toad better than Ian Carmichael and David Jason

[–] lightening816 17 years ago

Most faithful? Heck yeah!

It's my favorite version of the original story.

[–] Ethan_Capley 14 years ago

Most definitely one of my favourite animated book-adaptations of all time, considering how faithful it is.
Also, for those who've seen both this version and its sequel The Willows in Winter, wouldn't you say that both films are incredibly dark and somewhat tense in tone in comparison to the books?
For example, the scenes were Toad is being led into prison and where Mole gets lost in the woods.
Or in The Willows in Winter, where Rat falls out of the bi-plane and has a vision of where Mole may be hiding himself following his perishing in the river. Also, when Toad is being questioned by the court is surprisingly tense/upsetting, and when he sets his house alight whilst making a drunken speech felt surprisingly realistic.

[–] 14 years ago

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