Original title
The Wind in the Willows
Released
4/27/1984
Origin country
GB
Genre
Animation, Kids
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
5
Number of episodes
65
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 1988, and a fifth season of 13 episodes was shown in 1989 under the title Oh! Mr Toad in some countries, whilst retaining the title The Wind in the Willows in others.
The Wind in the Willows is a 1983 79-minute film by the studio Cosgrove Hall for Thames Television and aired on the ITV network. The movie is based on Kenneth Grahame's classic story The Wind in the Willows. It won a BAFTA award and an international Emmy award. Subsequently the studio made a 52 episodes series, The Wind in the Willows based on characters from the Wind in the Willows between 1984 and 1990. Stone Roses guitarist John Squire worked on this series for Cosgrove Hall. Voice actors on this adaptation included David Jason, Ian Carmichael and Michael Hordern.
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…
After having overthrown the Weasels in the battle of Toad Hall, Toad hosts a celebration dinner for his friends. He reminisces about his time in prison, escape from jail, his exploits with the barge woman, etc. His friends are less than impressed with how he handled some of the situations, but Toad gets offended when they tell him so.
Invited to the weasels' den for a 'literary evening', Toad is taken prisoner and a ransom demanded. Badger has no intention of paying for his return, but Toad's incessant chatter drives the weasels to distraction, so they play a final trick on him before letting him go free.
Mole hears sounds which he cannot account for. It leads him to fear that there might be a ghost in his house. Eventually, though, he discovers that the sounds are produced by a hedgehog which has fallen into a crevice immediately above his burrow. With the help of rat, he saves the animal.
The weasels buy the part of the Wild Wood upon which stands the entrance to Badger's home. They order Badger to vacate the property. When Badger takes the weasels to court, the judge decides in their favour, as the weasels' deed to the property appears to be valid. It is mole who saves the day when he discovers a Roman document signed by Julius Caesar which conveys the ownership of the area that is now the Wild Wood to the badgers and their descendants. With this document in hand, Badger is able to chase the weasels away only minutes before they take permanent possession of his burrow.
Mole's cousin, a famous literary figure called Auberon Mole, comes to stay after being invited by Toad to a 'literary soiree.' Mole's friends deem his dwelling and appearance too humble for the famous guest, and 'try to give him a little bit of style'. Toad and Ratty redecorate Mole's house, and Badger sets out to teach Mole a smattering of Latin and Shakespearean drama. Eventually Mole decides to resist the attempts to have him present himself as someone he is not. Auberon and Mole have a lovely time, and the others are somewhat ashamed of their earlier actions.
Mole's cousin, a famous literary figure called Auberon Mole, comes to stay after being invited by Toad to a 'literary soiree.' Mole's friends deem his dwelling and appearance too humble for the famous guest, and 'try to give him a little bit of style'. Toad and Ratty redecorate Mole's house, and Badger sets out to teach Mole a smattering of Latin and Shakespearean drama. Eventually Mole decides to resist the attempts to have him present himself as someone he is not. Auberon and Mole have a lovely time, and the others are somewhat ashamed of their earlier actions.
Mole's jam, Rat's walnut cake, Badger's pickled walnuts, and Toad's 'homemade' elderflower wine all compete to be best in show. The weasels also have an abnormally large pumpkin. But two competitors aren't playing fair...
On a Toad inspired hiking trip attended by Mole and Ratty, the trio soon bump into an old friend - Alfred the horse who once pulled Toad's caravan. Tired of the ghastly 3 quarters of a mile journey thus far, Toad leads the way to the derelict caravan full of desire to hit "the open road again". In no time at all, Toad is off on another craze astride his new Dersey-Patterson bicycle.
Based on chapter 9 of the original book. The Rat is visited by a seafarer, who captivates him with stories of his travels, and entices him to journey south, to embark on a ship bound for Constantinople. Mole and Toad must catch him before he leaves the River Bank behind forever.
After Badger interrupts the Chief Weasel's attempts to rob Billy Rabbit in the Wild Wood, the angry Chief plots his revenge. When his henchman stumbles upon an old hunter's trap, he sees what seems to be the perfect opportunity. However, despite the Chief setting everything up, things go horribly wrong when the henchman tries to relocate the trap.
Toad opens Toad Hall to the public in order to (modestly) show of his many family heirlooms. But the weasels have a dastardly plan to sabotage his efforts. All Toads possessions begin to disappear, causing him terrible embarrassment. Fortunately, Badger is on hand to save the day.
Another dramatisation of an episode from Kenneth Grahame’s book (chapter 7). Portly, Otter's young son, goes missing. He has picked the worst possible time – there are otter-hunters on the prowl. Ratty and Mole set out on a mission to find him, and in the process have a supernatural encounter with the god Pan- a statue under which Portly, who has also encountered him, is found sleeping.
The riverbank residents are organising a fun gathering where they show off their singing, dancing and instrument-playing talents: Otter on the piano; Rat playing accordion and singing Uptails All; Badger's slideshow journey across the world. The pièce de résistance (Toad singing excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan) suffers a setback when he swallows his fake moustache just before coming on. Mole, who had not intended to appear in the show, is drafted in at the last minute to sing. The episode finishes with a lovely choir song: “Joy Shall be Yours in the Morning”. Sadly, Toad finally manages to cough up his moustache just as the guests are saying their goodnights.
One night, Toad senses that it is growing colder and realises that it is snowing. He immediately develops a passion for the Winter Sports, and invites all his friends to join in. While Badger, Rat and Mole supervise the children's competitions, a thrilling downhill race is organised - the weasels on their bobsleigh vs. Toad on his skis. The weasels naturally decide to cheat, but the day still ends well, even for the unfortunate Toad.
Toad decides to commission a photograph of himself to put on the wall at Toad Hall, and who better to take it than Toad himself?
A young shrew has gone missing in the snow. Rat, Mole and Toad set off to track him down, but will they be in time?
Toad’s new found passion for high-finance soon lands him in trouble, and Toad Hall itself is threatened.
One wild and stormy day, everyone turns up at Badger’s to celebrate his birthday – but Rat is missing!
Toad is suffering from a bad cold, but when Rat and Mole arrive, they fear it could be something more serious.
On his way to visit Badger, Ratty stumbles down a hole in the Wild Wood. Injured, he wanders the labyrinth of tunnels while Toad, dressed as Sherlock Holmes, tries to track him down.
Badger, Rat, Mole and Toad set off on a fruit-picking expedition, but before long, the Weasels are up to their usual tricks.
Mole’s cousin, Auberon, arrives at Mole End looking for some peace and quiet, but Mole’s friends have other ideas.
It doesn’t take Toad long to tire of the game of croquet, and he sets off to play a proper game – like golf!
Toad invites his friends around for a big surprise after tea. He has spent the past weeks installing an electrical generator to power his newfound craze.
May Day celebrations are in full swing on the riverbank, and Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole are enjoying all the fun of the fair. Toad fails miserably at "Test Your Strength"- he cannot even lift the mallet- whilst Badger breaks the bell.
Invitations are received to a fancy-dress party in Toad Hall, but when everyone arrives, there is no sign of Toad!
When the field mice, voles and shrews accidently break a stained glass window in Toad Hall, Rat attempts to find something else for them to do,so “The Riverbanker’s Paperchase Championship” is made.
Toad invests in a motorbicycle. The blame is immediately put on Toad when the calm of the countryside is disrupted, and Toad cant convince his motorbicycle has been stolen.
The Weasels have sold Toad an electric telephone. With Mole’s help, Toad installs the telephone but learns from Mole that he cannot call Mole, Rat, or badger as they do not have telephones.
Toad’s latest craze is Astronomy. So he buys a large, expensive telescope. With great reluctance, his friends help get it up to the roof, and abandon him up there.
Inspired by a recent visit to Hampton Court, Toad has the maze his father had built many years ago restored to its former glory, and opens it to his friends.
Badger discovers that the local school has been temporarily closed. While Badger, Rat and Mole make plans for alternative lessons, Toad decides that he can turn Toad Hall into Toad Hall Academy for the Children of gentlepersons.
Mole has been stricken with food poisoning! In the basket of remaining mushrooms, Badger is shocked to see a deadly poisonous toadstool. There is an antidote, a fungus, but even though Badger sends out all Mole’s friends, the fungus cannot be found.
Tea at Ratty’s finds Toad reminiscing about his last visit to London - Toad had called on Mole’s cousin, where Toad discovered ‘Cooking’. Badger, Rat and Mole are invited to Toad Hall for the gastronomical experience of the decade.
When Toad accidently sets fire to the Hall, Mole offers Toad a place to stay. Mole soon regrets this offer as car upon car load of furniture begins to arrive at Mole’s modest home.
One grey November morning a Stranger Weasel appears with a persuasive power and turns the Henchmen and Weasels against the Chief. The Stranger takes command and the Weasels go on a rampage, as the Stranger plans to take over Toad Hall.
The Riverbankers Annual Production is The Pirates of Penzance! This is Badger’s silver jubilee, but Toad is worried he does not have the biggest part. Half way through the performance, there is a scene that Badger does not remember rehearsing…
“The Game No Gentlemen’s Residence Should Be Without” - a billiard table is installed in Toad Hall and Toad is challenged to a game with his beloved Rolls Royce at stake!
Unable to reach their homes in the snow, Mole, Rat and Badger spend a night with Toad, and soon they’re telling ghost stories. The appearance of the ghost of Toad Hall, however does not exactly terrify them. Moreover it looks strangely familiar.
May 8th, Saturday: Drive from Marrakech, via Almeria to Barcelona in time to watchthe Grand Prix at 13:00 Sunday.
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