Wind in the Willows ( TV Series 1984 - 1987 )
Plot
The Wind in the Willows is a 52-episode TV series that originally aired 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, aired in 1989, and further season of 13 episodes was aired in 1990 under the title Oh! Mr Toad in some countries, whilst retaining the title The Wind in the Willows in others.
The series stars David Jason as Toad, Michael Hordern as Badger, Peter Sallis as Rat (replacing Ian Carmichael who voiced Rat in the original 1983 film), and Richard Pearson as Mole. Ian Carmichael remained in the series, re-cast as the narrator.
The series is sometimes misidentified as being filmed in claymation. The method used by Cosgrove Hall is a stop-motion animation process using scale model sets and pose-able character figurines. The figurines are composed of an articulate metal skeleton (armature) covered in latex rubber, providing the flexibility and the detail which distinguishes the series. The series is set in Riverbank, a mythical location somewhere in Berkshire. The Riverbank is where Ratty, Mole and Toad live. Nearby is the Wild Wood, where Badger and the Wily Weasels live. Each episode has a unique story line, although there are some common themes running throughout the series. In series 4, the humans start building a new railway that is planned to be built through the area where the animals live. The show teaches children about the destruction of forests and animals' natural habits. The railway gets closer and closer to the animals' homes, yet in the episode Happy New Year it turns out that the railway would be travelling under unsuitable land, and therefore the route is diverted from the Riverbank & Wild Wood areas.
Stone Roses guitarist John Squire worked on this series for Cosgrove Hall.
The popular theme song - based on the instrumental theme to the original film - was sung by British singer-songwriter Ralph McTell.
Cast
The Narrator (Ian Carmichael)
Mole (Richard Pearson) - Mild-mannered, unassuming and modest, Mole is arguably the protagonist of the series. He lives in a humble home underground.
Rat (Peter Sallis) - Best friend to Mole. A laid-back, reasonable fellow with a taste for poetry and music, and a great love for the river by which he lives.
Toad (David Jason) - The wealthy owner of Toad Hall, the finest home in the country. Overly enthusiastic, vain and not too bright, he always throws himself into all kinds of new crazes, without much in the way of consideration.
Badger (Michael Hordern) - The Nestor of the group. Well respected by all for his wisdom and strength. Stern and conservative, he always tries to keep Toad out of trouble.
Chief Weasel (David Jason) - The villainous leader of the Weasels, the bullies and thieves of the Wild Wood. He often tries to trick Toad out of his wealth. Still, he is not all bad, and may come to the other animals' help in dire need.
Weasel Henchman (Brian Trueman) - the Chief's second-in-command; known for his catchphrase, "Very nice, very nice!".
Billy Rabbit (David Jason) - "Billy" is present in all series. Billy is first a field-mouse, voiced by an unknown actor - he appears in the episode "The Great Steamer" - and then by the familiar David Jason from "The Rescue" onwards. Jason's version famously says "Yes, Mr. Badger, no, Mr. Badger." Billy Rabbit first appears in the Series 1 episode "The Grand Annual Show, but becomes more of a recurring character from Series 3 onwards.
Alfred (Allan Bardsley)- "Alfred" is Toad's miserable and disagreeable horse who always refuses to do what Toad wants to do. He briefly appeared in the film with a singing role and then made on and off appearances in the series. His catchphrase is "Nope" or "I".
Auberon Mole - Mole's cousin; in the series, is a well-known playwright, and the focus of the episodes "Mole's Cousin", "Auberon's Return" and "Happy New Year".
Ms Carrington-Moss (Beryl Reid) - The magistrate in the film; she appears in the episodes, "The Grand Annual Show", "Buried Treasure", and "Burglary at Toad Hall".
Reggie and Rosemary - The owners of the stolen motor car in the film; they appear in the episodes, "The Grand Annual Show", and "Burglary at Toad Hall".
Thomas - Auberon's chauffeur and personal assistant, who is also a toad. He appears in the episodes "Mole's Cousin" and "Happy New Year".
Episode Guide
Series 1
The Further Adventures of Toad
The Kidnapping of Toad
The Ghost at Mole End
The Great Steamer
Buried Treasure
Mole's Cousin
The Grand Annual Show
The Open Road Again
Wayfarer's All
The Weasel's Trap
Burglary at Toad Hall
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Yuletide Entertainment
Series Two
Winter Sports
Toad - Photographer
The Rescue
Bankruptcy
The Storm
Patient Toad
The Labyrinth
Harvest
Auberon's Return
The Great Golfing Gamble
Gadget Mad
May Day
Fancy Dress
Series Three
Paperchase
Mercury of the Motorcycle
Mr Toad's Telephone
Toad - Astronomer
Caught in a Maze
School Days
Badger's Remedy
Masterchef
Fire at Toad Hall
Unlikely Allies
A Producer's Lot
Champion of the Green Baize
Winter Haunts
Series Four
Auld Lang Syne
Bricks and Mortar
The Lost River
The Tournament
Lord Toad
Hot Air
Fighting Fit
Hall for Sale
Toad's Harvest
Monster of the Wild Wood
Remember, Remember
Tunnels and Tremors
Happy New Year
