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The Wind In The Willows
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A Must Have DVD!!
Review date: 2007-04-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
This was the best thing on TV throughout the entire Christmas holiday, possibly the entire year! This was a wonderful show, sweet and delightful with great humour. I laughed all the way through it! I was so impressed with all the performances, but Matt Lucas stood out especially. He was born to play Toad. He absolutely steals the show as he is spot on perfect. Mark Gatiss, Lee Ingleby, Bob Hoskins and all the cast were also perfect in their parts and were a joy to watch.
At first, I felt a little silly watching a "kid's" show (as our children are in their late teens/early 20s). But I realised very quickly, this was a production for everyone. Do not mistakenly think this is for kids. You will be missing out on a wonderful experience.
Get this DVD, sit back and enjoy! You will not be disappointed!
Similar Products
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Reviews
An echanting version of a magical tale
Review date: 2007-02-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
Kenneth Graham's story is a childhood classic whose charm I believe has been eroded by various 're-imaginings' and plasticine figure short films that do not resemble the characters or stories. This adaptation reminded me how much Graham had to say about friendship, courage and adventure. So much so that I went to buy the book to read again. That this version moved me to go back to Graham's tale as an adult is the greatest praise I can give it.
The production standards, script and direction are absolutely enchanting with not a single jarring note. However, the central performances of Matt Lucas as Toad, Mark Gatiss as Ratty and Lee Ingleby as Mole and Lee Hall's script are what eleveate this to one of the best features I have seen on television in years. The producers wisely kept any makeup to a minimum, merely suggesting animal features, and allowed the actors to physically portray their characteristics. This restraint pays off and every performance in utterly convincing but does not get in the way of what is essentially a very human tale of friendship and adventure. Instead the CGI effects which are used are always appropriate and contribute seemlessly and relevantly rather than appearing for the sake of it.
Although it is hard to single out an individual in a project so successful that clearly a great team worked on it I have to say that Lee Ingleby both carried and stole the show. As Mole he leads the audience through the tale and conveys the perfect mix of anxiety when faced with the unknown but enough courage to overcome his hesitation and be rewarded with friendship and new experiences. I think all of us can relate to that timidity and aspire to overcoming it and forming connections with the people and world about us. Mole's myopic horizons become with the help of his friends and his own resources a vista of possibilities and Lee Ingleby convinces you of this with a charming performance that is never heavy-handed. If I seem to be reading a little too much into the portrayal of an animal in a children's story I can only recommend that you buy this DVD and watch Mr. Ingleby's performance. He is the extra special element in an absolutely fabulous production.
Utterly charming
Review date: 2007-01-26 Rating: 10 out of 10
A friend of mine was kind enough to burn me a DVD from the TV presentation, and send it to me in America. I was delighted, as I had been looking forward to it for some time and take for granted it will not come to the US.
I was not disappointed. This film is completely wonderful, from the saturated colors of the landscapes to the marvelously witty and creative camera work, to the absolute perfection of the actors in their roles -- each one entirely believable as the creature he was meant to be. Mark Gatiss' Rat was a bit underplayed--it was only on second viewing that I became aware of the subtleties of his performance: the little ratlike twitches of the nose and the occasional baring of the teeth. Bob Hoskins gave a workmanlike performance as Badger, and of course Matt Lucas' Toad fairly stole the show.
But the absolute revelation of the film was Lee Ingleby as Mole. Somehow in watching him I was able to see two presences onscreen at the same time: the full-scale human and a tiny shadowy creature of delicacy, timidity and great vulnerability. The humble little Mole, so earnest and willing to please, is of course the center and the heart of the story, and Ingleby brought him to life with extraordinary grace, sensitivity and humor. His parting line, "Perhaps there's room in the world for all sorts of creatures" [paraphrased] is a lesson to be lived by even today.
This is not the "Wind in the Willows" you grew up with. This is live actors in limited make-up, breathing life into the characters through their own talent, rather than through special effects. (Though there are a few of those too, and quite clever ones at that.) As soon as a commercial release of the DVD becomes available (March 26), I have every intention of buying it. My first copy will likely be well-worn long before then.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Lee Ingleby
Bob Hoskins
Matt Lucas
Mark Gatiss
Recording label: Warner Vision International
Manufacturer: Warner Vision International
EAN: 5051011965425
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-03-26
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 98 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)