The BBC’s lavish new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s children’s classic The Wind in the Willows, starring Matt Lucas and Bob Hoskins is out to own on DVD from 26th March 2007. Set amid glorious English countryside, The Wind in the Willows tells the timeless story of the adventures of four animal friends. Adapted from the much-loved book by Lee Hall, writer of the Oscar nominated and multi award-winning film Billy Elliot, the film stars Matt Lucas (Little Britain) as Toad, Bob Hoskins (Mrs Henderson Presents) as Badger, Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen) as Rat and Lee Ingleby (The Street, Nature Boy) as Mole. They are joined by Oscar nominee Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) as the Barge Lady, Jim Carter (Brassed Off) as the Engine Driver and BAFTA award winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House) as the Gaoler’s daughter. The Wind in the Willows is directed by Rachel Talalay (The Borrowers). Iconic locations such as the Riverbank, the Wild Wood, Toad Hall and the Open Road are brought vividly to life in this wonderful adaptation. Shy Mole leaves his hole one spring and is entranced by the world he discovers along the riverbank. Befriended by the water-loving Rat, he soon encounters Mr Toad, an enthusiastic and mischievous lover of all new things, especially fast cars. But Toad’s irrepressible nature and love of motoring get him into serious trouble. With the help of wise old Badger, can the woodland friends come to his aid? And will Toad ever change his ways?Filmed in Bucharest, this feature-length drama sees the actors subtly transformed into some of the best-known animal characters from literature in a new and original way. Producer Gub Neal (Cracker, Moll Flanders) of Box TV said “Rather than using heavy prosthetics, I think it is both appropriate and natural to play the characters as largely human. Costumes and make-up effect subtle transformations, but these are intended to inspire the audience’s imagination into seeing how close the performances are to the characters’ animal personae. We are delighted to attract such a high-calibre cast to the drama and believe they inhabit their characters perfectly.” Matt Lucas said of his character Toad: “To some extent I can identify with Toad. He is a buffoon and he is pompous, but he’s also affectionate. I also have the shape of Toad with my own little belly, and then another one added by the costume department!”

Bob Hoskins said: “I always wanted to play him [Badger]. I like him because he is a miserable old bugger, but he’s very caring. Even with Toad and his recklessness, he feels this huge responsibility to protect him.”

The DVD includes the full BBC adaptation, as well as a 25-minute documentary and a photo gallery. A limited edition deluxe DVD including a Puffin paperback of Kenneth Grahame’s original story is also available. The Wind in the Willows is out to own on DVD from 26th March courtesy of Warner Music Entertainment, priced £17.99. The Wind in the Willows