JULIA Donaldson’s popular book The Highway Rat has been adapted to a wonderful animated film. This 30 minuet film is one that children and adults alike will enjoy.
The film sees the Highway Rat is as a pretty mean character that torments the other animals by stealing their sugary foods.
The highway rat of the title (voiced by David Tennant) begins the tale as a good-for-nothing bully… a swashbuckling rodent who terrorise’s his local neighbourhood for the food needed to fill his belly. But no creature is safe from his tyranny – no matter how useless the food to himself.
A little squirrel is forced to relinquish his nuts, and a rabbit is forced to hand over her clover, just so that the rat can maintain the vice-like grip he holds over anyone foolhardy enough to be caught on his highway stretch.
Things change, however, when a duck lures the rat to a cave, high up a mountain, and traps him inside to ponder his ill-gotten gains. However the rat gets stuck in a puddle and only manages to escape when he changes his ways.
The film delves into the turning point of Rats journey. He changes from a villainous character to realising the error of his ways. As a result he wants forgiveness for his ways and seeks personal redemption.
The film also delivered a timely message about the pitfalls of selfishness and greed. Throughout the film there is a lot to savour, a wonderful vibrant animated film. It was so enjoyable that it is one of those films that you can watch over and over again.
I absolutely recommend this wonderful film..
We have three copies of the DVD to give away to our readers. Enter via the Gleam app below.
UK only and the closing date is 15 February 2018.
I love “The Ladykillers” because it is so entertaining, the cast are great, especially Alec Guinness.
Any Star Wars movie as I love the characters and effects!
It has to be Groundhog Day as both adults and children enjoy it and learn from it.
the great escape always love it
Carousel the musical, love the music and the storyline
the green mile just a classic movie
What is your favourite film and why? . . . .The Green Mile, even though l’ve seen it many many times l still cry each time
Beauty and the Beast, because I love the songs!
From Dusk til Dawn- a film of two halves!
Cinderella because she finds her handsome prince 🙂 x
Love the Harry potter films, my favourite is the prisoner of Azkaban
Father of the Bride
Pulp Fiction because it has a great storyline and soundtrack.
Mrs doubtfire – its been so funny!
Matilda my son loves it and loves the magic in the film
Cat in The Hat – It makes me laugh out loud!
PS I Love You makes me cry (although not a patch on the book)
Matilda! reminds me of my childhood!
It’s only a short animation so I don’t know if it counts, but my son and I love watching ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’. Fab story, beautifully illustrated on screen and with gorgeous music too.
When he’s asleep though, my film tastes seem to be a bit darker, like ‘V for Vendetta’ or ‘Withnail and I’. Not family viewing!
Bodyguard I love the songs and it reminds me of when I was growing up as we watched it altogether on film nights
Despicable me as it has great humor for both children and adults
I love Gone with the Wind – it’s just so vast & beautiful!
If we’re talking children’s stories…we watch The Gruffalo all the time – so can’t wait to see this other Julia Donaldson tale on the tv. x
Dirty dancing, such a classic
The Breakfast Club coz its a classic!
My favourite has to be dirty dancing i’ve watched it loads of times and still love it each time i watch it.
Love actually because it is just so perfect
I don’t have a favourite film – it depends on my mood & who I am watching it with. As a family we usually can agree on “The Goonies”, the boys find the broken statues “willy” scene hilarious.
Elf, so funny, all the family love
I love all the Star films with my favourite being The Empire Strikes Back, love everything characters, music, effects and the story especially the twists and that this episode doesn’t have the typical Hollywood happy ending. My other favourite film is Moulin Rouge, its such a visual delight and I’m not just referring to Ewan McGregor! the costumes, design, dance routines etc are amazing and I love the way the songs have been weaved into this love story, makes me cry everytime.
Kingsman
It reminds me of the films I used to watch in the 70’s. Great storyline and British actors
i love fools gold!!! easy and funny watching
weird science it always makes me laugh
Clueless as it’s funny
I love labyrinth it’s such a classic
I love the Ice Age movies, so funny especially Scrat with the pesky acorn xx
I love Grease, always makes me smile and sing
I love The Shawshank Redemption, I just think it’s a wonderful film, love the actors Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, so well written with a happy ending. I could watch it over and over again.
I love the green mile, it is such a gripping story with such a sad ending.
Mr Holland’s Opus, as an inspiring film.
Juno, it never fails to make me smile.
Shawshank Redemption, Best Movie,Ever.
has to be the Kingsman, has everything I love in a movie
The secret garden is a favourite of mine because I loved the book from a young age !
I love Mean Girls, I just think it’s so funny.
The Holiday we saw this on our first date.
Beauty and the beast
Coraline. i love the story and the way it is done. i love everything about it!!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because it brings back memories of Christmas when I was young
Dances with Wolves because it is so moving and the scenery is stunning
Home Alone because it is so funny. I can watch it time and time again and it still makes me laugh
Charlie and the chocolate factory I love chocolate
That’s my favourite too.
Dumbo because it is surreal
The Wizard of Oz
Singin’ in the Rain never fails to cheer me up!
Die Hard – A classic action film with so many good sequences. Very funny as well.
My favourite ever film is Cinema Paradiso. A lovely story and wonderful score.
the matrix because it iis a fun film
Jurassic Park is my favourite film 🙂
I love Amelie. It’s just a beautiful romance
I am a horror film lover and my favourite has to be rose red. It’s not cut short like many horrors with bits cut out to make it fit which means you get a bigger picture of the story and back story. I just love it. Our favourite family film is the polar express because it’s one we watch together traditionally every single year and one of few times we all come together (we have a moody teen that doesn’t think it’s cool to have family time lol).
Beauty and the beast, loved it and could watch it again and again 🙂
I love the film Ghost, I am a sucker for lovey dovey films
We love The Nightmare Before Christmas
I love I am legend because it is such a great storyline
I love the first Harry Potter film it’s such a perfect imagining of the book.
I love all the Harry Potter books and films. I look forward to when my daughter is old enough for them.
Beethoven love the dogs
It is such a lovely film and very funny.
I love the nightmare before Christmas. I just love Jack, Sally and zero. I love Halloween and Christmas and this film had both and is amazing
I love the film It’s complicated. I like the storyline and where it’s set
So many to choose from, but I love The Burbs, it always makes me laugh!
sleepy hollow just love tim burton stuff
Tim Burton is an excellent actor and I love his stuff too.
My favourite film is goodnight Mr Tom, I have loved it since I was a child xxx.
The Notebook it is such a beautiful love story and my son is named after the lead male character
I absolutely love this film.
The butterfly effect as I love films about time travel and this one is by far the best I’ve seen
I haven’t seen that film, I will add it to my list of one’s to watch.
It’s a wonderful life! Lovely family classic film. My kids and I love it. I love it because it’s about bringing family together.
This changes so much depending on my mood but I would have to say A Knights Tale with Heath Ledger in
Oh such a wonderful film, I’ve only seen it once but enjoyed it.
Pretty Woman
I used to be a massive fan of that film.
I love the sound of music
That’s a favourite of mine.
Titanic. It’s such a beautiful love story x
My favourite film is the blues brothers because is funny, a great story line and catchy songs.
That is such an awesome film, I remember watching it will my parents several times when I was younger.
Green mile classic film x
Oh I do love that film