Watership Down
Directed by:
Martin RosenScreenplay:
Martin RosenComposer:
Angela MorleyCast:
John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Richard O'Callaghan, Denholm Elliott, Zero Mostel, Nigel Hawthorne, Joss Ackland, Harry Andrews, Roy Kinnear (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
A timeless classic comes alive in this enchanting movie based on the best-selling novel by Richard Adams. Nestled among the rolling hills and peaceful meadows of England lives a community of rabbits. When their warren is threatened, a small group of brave rabbits escapes into the unknown countryside in search of a new home. Led by the visionary Fiver, the courageous Bigwig, the clever Blackberry, and the honourable Hazel, they face daunting challenges, and use their strength and cunning to survive, while pursuing their dreams. Along their trek, they make an unlikely friend - a loony seagull named Kehaar - and battle the vicious General Woundwort, the cruel leader of another warren. Film director, Martin Rosen, frames the tale largely from the viewpoint of the rabbits, so that we identify with each one. Packed with excitement and adventure, Watership Down is an engaging, thrilling tale that celebrates traditional values of loyalty, courage and spirit. (Universal Pictures UK)
(more)Reviews (1)
This flawless translation of human nature into a resilient rabbit community is undoubtedly one of the most essential and beautiful animated films of the seventies. It still gives me goosebumps today with its unprecedented rawness of an animal world where anyone can be killed by anyone, without much regard for the freaked-out preschool audience. The story has a magical atmosphere, which sometimes reaches horror heights, and is cleverly balanced with humour, fantastic themes and a moving soundtrack dominated by Art Garfunkel's glorious song “Bright Eyes”. The simple animation still retains its charm, you will fall in love with the characters or at least imprint them in your memory forever (perhaps there was no such terrifying villain even in James Bond). I loved the series when I was a kid, this is the only film to match it.
()