Cosgrove Hall was leading the way in British stop-motion animation during the early 1980s with shows like “Danger Mouse,” and this is likely their best full-length version of Kenneth Grahame’s delightful story. The plot centers on "Mole," who, tired of constantly repainting his home, decides to go for a walk to visit his friend "Rat" and then further into the snowy woods to find "Badger." These three are concerned by the unpredictable actions of “Toad,” who has become enamored with cars but hasn't grasped the concept of safe driving. He’s damaged so many vehicles that he’s now a danger to himself and practically everyone around him. “Badger” believes keeping “Toad” under house arrest is the only answer, so they confine him to his room. However, he manages to escape, steals a car, and winds up receiving a twenty-year prison sentence. Fortunately, some of the other prisoners befriend him and help him break out—but upon returning home, things aren’t as he anticipated, and he must depend on his old friends, who are rather exasperated by this point, to recover his house from the rats that have now taken over. The sound design works very well with the animation, which is beautiful, full of detail, and gives each character personality: the snowy landscapes with their cozy homes nestled in dark forests; the humorous scenes involving old cars transformed into dangerous tools by the reckless “Toad”; and, naturally, the entire narrative is supported by themes of loyalty, friendship, and a touch of playful chaos. Considerable work was put into this project, and that craftsmanship has stood up remarkably well over time. It’s definitely worth seeing.

Source on TMDB