THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MISTER TOAD — Strange Christmas Movies Round Two (#36 of 48)

Three years ago, the 24 days leading up to Christmas, Strangers and Aliens presented 24 Christmas movies that aren’t Christmas movies, but really kind of are, for various reasons. And now, we’re doing it again! Here’s 24 more Christmas movies that are set around Christmas or use Christmas to set tone or set up a theme . . . but weren’t made to be Christmas movies…

#36 — The Adventures of Ichabod and Mister Toad

ichabodposter-2What it’s supposed to be: Another Disney animated movie! This time, however, it was a cost-cutting film that combined two tales: The Headless Horseman and The Wind in the Willows. The Headless Horseman is clearly a Halloween themed story, while The Wind in the Willows is a bit broader in timeframe.

Why it’s a Christmas movie: The main action, the climax of the film, takes place on Christmas Eve, as Toad gets rescued from jail and then goes with his friends to take back his home from the weasels.

Thoughts: Home and family. The Wind in the Willows is all about Mole, a homebody who is forced out of his comfort zone by adventures with Mr. Toad and Rat, and Toad, a crazily immature toad who gets some grounding from his friends Mole and Rat. Rat, meanwhile, is the Golden Mean, so to speak. A fulcrum between the two. Essentially, the message is: go, have adventures, get out of your rut…but don’t go too crazy, man.

And so it is appropriate that they have their final, violent battle on Christmas Eve. The three critters form a bond of friendship that comes close to family and their final battle is for their home.

Is It Naughty or Nice? Not the best Disney film. Not the best movie on this list. But that’s not enough for a naughty verdict. It’s enough, and that means it’s…

Nice

 

Your verdict? Let me know below in the comments!

Next: Gundam Wing Endless Waltz

Previous: The Rescuers

You can follow this series of posts by clicking here: Strange Christmas Movies

 

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