Wind in the Willows (1988 film)

Infobox Film
name = Wind in the Willows

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image_size =
caption =
director =
producer = Roz Phillips
writer = Leonard Lee, Kenneth Grahame (original author)
narrator =
starring =
music = Mark Isaacs
cinematography =
editing = Peter Jennings, Caroline Neave
distributor = NuTech Digital
released = 1988 (Australia)
runtime = 49 minutes
country = flagicon|Australia Australia
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id = 1:212052
imdb_id = 0254076

"Wind in the Willows" is an Australian 49-minute made-for-television animated film from Burbank Films Australia. It was originally released in 1988cite web | work=The Internet Movie Database | title=Release dates for "Wind in the Willows"|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0787244/releaseinfo| accessdate=24 March|accessyear=2008] . The film is based on Kenneth Grahame's classic English novel, "The Wind in the Willows", first published in 1908, and was adapted by Leonard Lee. It was produced by Roz Phillips and featured original music by Mark Isaacs. The copyright in this film is now owned by Pulse Distribution and Entertainment [ [http://www.copyright.gov/ US Copyright Office] Document No V3285P205 1996-09-25] and administered by digital rights management firm NuTech Digital [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2004_June_23/ai_n6086255/ BTECH] article on NuTech and Pulse distribution agreement.] .

Plot summary

While cleaning his underground home, Mole senses that spring is probably beginning above the ground. He is curious and decides that every mole should see the world at least one in his or her lifetime, so he makes himself a tunel and soon finds himself in the English countryside. Mole is marvelled by this new world and wishes to see every bit of it. Along comes Rat, who befriends Mole and kindly offers him a ride on his small blue rowboat as well as a short picnic by the riverbank. Rat tells Mole about the different creatures who inhabitate near the river. There's Badger, who is very grumpy and doesn't like company, and Toad, who is very wealthy and lives in a fine mansion along the riverbank named "Toad Hall". When the two friends set out to meet Mr. Mole, Rat is bewildered to see that Toad has been swept away by a new mania; a love for gypsy carts. Though Rat hesitates, Toad offers him and his new friend a wild ride on the vehicle. The ride is thrilling and new for Mole, not so much for Rat, but it ends abruptly when the cart is destroyed by a passing motorcar. Toad doesn't mind, because he is instantly taken by a new mania for motorcars. Determined to drive through the countryside in a new motorcar, Rat and Mole fear that their friend's new mania is very dangerous, for Toad can hardly drive. Mole seeks out the advise of Badger, who lives deep inside the Wild Wood, where he's been told never to go since it is a very dangerous place. Rat follows Mole to Badger's house and the two animals beg him for his help. Badger agrees to help out as soon as winter is over, for he is a hibernating animal. Spring comes and Badger orders that Mole be kept indoors and away from disastrous rides on motorcars. Toad is very upset, but he outsmarts Rat when the two are left alone and the determined toad sets out to find a motorcar; or rather, steal one. Toad's crime lands him in prison, and his friends worry about his mysterious disappearance. With the help of a young girl, the magistrate's daughter, Toad manages to escape his cell and return to Toad Hall. However, upon his return, he is shocked to find that his home has been overtaken by a band of ruthless weasels. He and his friends, Rat, Mole, Badger and Otter cook up a plan to rescover Toad's priced home and restore order to the entire community along the riverbank.

See also

* "The Wind in the Willows"
* Kenneth Grahame
* Burbank Films Australia

References

External links

*
* [http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon/84891-Wind_In_The_Willows.html "Wind in the Willows"] at the Big Cartoon DataBase