The Wind in the Willows (1996 film) The Wind in the Willows (1996 film) The Wind in the Willows (released in the United States as Mr Toad's Wild Ride) is a 1996 British children's comedy film written and directed by Terry Jones, and produced by Jake Eberts and John Goldstone. The film stars Steve Coogan, Eric Idle and Terry Jones. The film was released in the United Kingdom on 18 October 1996. The film is based on Kenneth Grahame's novel "The Wind in the Willows". Mole's underground home is destroyed when the meadow above is bulldozed by the Weasels. Mr Toad, had sold the land to finance
James Hilton (novelist) James Hilton (novelist) James Hilton (9 September 190020 December 1954) was an English novelist best remembered for several best-sellers, including "Lost Horizon" and "Goodbye, Mr. Chips". He also wrote Hollywood screenplays. Born in Leigh, Lancashire, England, Hilton was the son of John Hilton, the headmaster of Chapel End School in Walthamstow. He was educated at The Leys School, Cambridge and then at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he wrote his first novel and was awarded an honours degree in English literature. He started work as a journalist, first for the "Manchester Guardian", then reviewing fiction for the "Daily Telegraph". He wrote