Watership Down (1978)

Director:

Martin Rosen

Writers:

Richard Adams (novel)
Martin Rosen (written by)

Release Date:

1 November 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and when they catch you, they will kill you... but first they must catch you.

Plot:

A group of rabbits flee their doomed warren and face many dangers to find and protect their new home.

Plot Keywords:

Rabbit | Home | Runt | Journey | Tree

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

John Hurt	...	Hazel (voice)
Richard Briers	...	Fiver (voice)
Michael Graham Cox	...	Bigwig (voice) (as Michael Graham-Cox)
John Bennett	...	Captain Holly (voice)
Ralph Richardson	...	Chief Rabbit (voice)
Simon Cadell	...	Blackberry (voice)
Terence Rigby	...	Silver (voice)
Roy Kinnear	...	Pipkin (voice)
Richard O'Callaghan	...	Dandelion (voice)
Denholm Elliott	...	Cowslip (voice)
Lynn Farleigh	...	Cat (voice) (as Lyn Farleigh)
Mary Maddox	...	Clover (voice)
Zero Mostel	...	Kehaar (voice)
Harry Andrews	...	General Woundwort (voice)
Hannah Gordon	...	Hyzenthlay (voice)

Also Known As:

Richard Adams's Watership Down (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

101 min | Brazil:92 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | Iceland:L | Finland:K-8 (video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-10 | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:PG | West Germany:6 | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Netherlands:AL

Company:

Nepenthe Productions

Trivia:

Was originally directed by John Hubley, who died in 1977. He and his Faith's work can still be found in the film, most notably in the "fable" scene.

Goofs:

Continuity: In a wide shot of Bigwig spotting Hyzenthlay and Blackavar in the distance, they appear as two rabbits with normal, erect ears. In the next shot, Blackavar's ears are shredded and drooping, as they should be.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: Long ago, the great Frith made the world. He made all the stars and the world lived among the stars. Frith made all the animals and birds and, at first, made them all the same. Now, among the animals was El-Ahrairah, the Prince of Rabbits. He had many friends and they all ate grass together...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Troldspejlet: (#35.9)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Bright Eyes

My favorite animated film!

The first great animated film to come around in the entire history of motion pictures! It's not only original(shying away from the traditional "Disney" formula), but it's the first animated film to ponder the meaning of life itself! I was really moved by it! With "Disney" films, you know what to expect. This was like watching a Terrence Malick film; beautiful, subtle, spiritual, and important for our lives. The only difference is that it's animated with "cute & cuddly" cartoon characters. This is a film both adults and children alike will enjoy and learn from, because it is a social commentary on facism, and it is a spiritual film. It's spirituality lies in it's initial message, which is about facing death, and avoiding it as well. Not that you can avoid death, but that you can have a sense of self preservation, purpose, and a place in life. The most inspirational line of the movie is "All the world will be your enemy. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they have to catch you.". All of your life, you will continue to meet people who like you, and those that will attack you. Be strong, stand tall, "and your people will never be destroyed.". That is basically, in a few words, what the world and the meaning of life is really all about!