Customer Reviews

Watership Down [VHS]

5 star:		(147)
4 star:		(61)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

I saw this film for the first time after a friend who had seen it in the theater in 1978 recommended it. I was prepared to watch a children's movie and was struck by the seriousness of the subject and the realistic scenes.

The film begins with the mythology of the rabbit which is rather odd but in a cute way. This introduction foreshadows the hardships and enemies the rabbit species will face. From there the story seems to touch on at least two issues: fascism/Marxism and environmentalism. The latter is only briefly touched on. The small rabbit Fiver, who has unexplained powers to foresee the future, urges a group of fellow rabbits in his "warren" to leave before their land is destroyed by some destructive force. Actually, it is man who tears up their fields, but it is only described briefly by a survivor. In their journey to the safe mountain top (utopia?), they encounter several enemies and a funny bird friend (my favorite of the characters). Once they reach their destination, they realize that they have no females in their group (the only "doe" having been killed) and must return to dangerous territory to acquire mates. Their worst enemy, ironically, is a member of their own species; a fascist rabbit who threatens to have any dissenter from his warren killed. Also, ironically, inventions of man (i.e. a boat) are used by the rabbits in their struggle to survive. A musical segment with music sung by Art Garfunkel interrupts the fairly fast-moving story.

The violence in this film is surprisingly realistic and graphic. Some rabbits do not make it, so very young children may need to be prepared before watching. I also looked at a VHS copy of this film, and DVD is far superior in terms of graphics and color. The extras on this DVD were a little disappointing considering that this film is a classic (i.e. a glossary of rabbit words that is not even complete). Still, this animated film is one that adults may appreciate more than the kids.

Like many of the reviewers before me I first watched this back when I was a child and yes it did provoke a range of emotions in me. I cheered when they escaped on the boat; I was sickened in the recount of the fate of the first warren. I admit it 15 years on I still cry at the end of the movie. Don't be fooled into thinking just because it's and animated feature about rabbits that this film will be suitable for younger kids, it is NOT. Watership down has quite graphic representations of brutality and death. Putting those facts aside it does tell a compelling story about a band of refugees looking for some place to resettle and live their lives out in peace. It just happens that the refugees are rabbits.

This is a story of survival. It is a mature story told in a make believe way. It is told with an edge of realism that contradicts the candy coating of the animation and character species. I just bought a copy of this so my wife and I could watch it. Melanie (My wife) having not seen it before and not knowing what to expect was left speechless when Violet was gone. If I were to rate the film I would give it at least a PG maybe even a PG 13 for its possible NIGHTMARES for younger children. I give the story 4 stars for being entertaining and well told

I don't even remember when I first saw this movie. I know that I was quite young. I know that many reviewers have said it is for mature audiences, and I agree... to an extent. You see... the violence and the blood may be too much for some children. You know your children best, and you know what they can handle. So, make a call accorrding to your experience. Personally, even at a tender age, I *knew* that the movie wasn't just about rabbits. I couldn't quite grasp all of the themes, but I understood the basics. I think that children really are more capable of understanding than is sometimes thought. This film is a very good political statement. It isn't just about humans wrecking the bunny lands. It is about the interactions between certain groups of rabbits. It's really amazing that Richard Adams could create such a tale using animals. I highly reccommend this movie to everybody. Though it isn't intended to give you warm fuzzies, I think that many people could take something away with them. A family friend bought the film for her niece thinking that it was going to be a cute movie with bunnies. Please don't buy the film for your child unless you believe that your child can handle some violence and heavy themes. If I hadn't seen the movie as a young child, I don't know that I ever would have watched it or read the book. So, I think it is a good thing that I saw it. It all depend on the child. It's a great movie, though.

I watched this as a little kid barely able to understand the concept of death, and its consequences, Boy did this movie hurt and bewilder me, after crying my little eyes out I left the movie theater devastated, is this what happens to all of us eventually, not the way these brave bunnies lived and died but death it self. It wasnt until much later (years) that I could bring myself to watch this ultimately brilliant yet sad movie again, it broke my heart a second time but I could appreciate the beauty and can now see how fiction mirrors reality.

This is a tale of Rabbits seeking a safe new home, we follow their journey in heart wrenching detail, filled with danger and great sadness, there are some lighter moments that gives the viewer some emotional relief, but ultimately you are left feeling for these wonderful characters.

I recommend this movie, warning those who are first time viewers, if you are expecting a cutesy kiddy type movie then forget it, Watership Down can be viewed by kids with parental guidance so they (the parents! as much as the kids) can be comforted when the story gets too much, keep a box of tissues handy, cause that song BRIGHT EYES gets me every time I hear it, so be warned. I will always love this movie and hope you will too.

There is nothing "bad" about this movie. The fact that it has rabbits acting not so cute and cuddly does not make it bad, or give a bad message to children. It portrays the struggle to survive against those who wish to dominate and control. It shows the challenges a good leader must face in trying to achieve a better life for his (or in the case of Hyzenthlay, her) people. It sets a shining example for leadership in the main character, Hazel; as well as who NOT to aspire to be like (Woundwort).

This movie is unfortunately seen as a kiddie movie just because of the fact that it is animated. I see it time and again in the kid's section of the video store, and that is not where it belongs. It is a serious drama, one with violence and adult themes and situations very young children would not understand. It is an adult movie, or at least if viewed by a child should be done so under adult guidance. Parents wanting yet another 90 minute babysitter would do better purchasing the latest Disney tripe. But if you want a movie you can enjoy with your child, one that will leave them pondering tough issues regarding society, politics, life and death, a movie that will not dumb them down but make them think, and even want to read the novel, then this is the one.

With the qualification that it is in no way a substitute for the classic novel, this is a good animated adaptation of "Watership Down".

As with the novel, Peter Rabbit this is not. It is a brutally realistic look at how rabbits live with the threats of their thousand predators, other warrens, and above all man.

From top to bottom, the vocal casting is wonderful. John Hurt is a commanding, heroic Hazel - but it's Richard Briers' Fiver who really runs away with the movie. Perfectly registering bemused apprehension, quiet despair, utter fear and sometimes even helpless rage, he absolutely steals - and breaks - your heart.

The animation itself is more mixed. The three different styles - one for the main story, one for the rabbit legends in the prologue, and a third for Fiver's visions - don't always connect smoothly and are sometimes of varying quality. But, generally speaking, the English countryside background is beautiful, the violence suitably horrific (especially the confirmation by a survivor of the holocaust that Fiver predicted) and the animation of the rabbits admirably unique and individual.

The story remains quite faithful - often taking from the novel verbatim. The scene that has the most impact is probably the one based on the chapter "Fiver Beyond", with Art Garfunkel singing Fiver's thoughts as he searches for a seriously wounded Hazel after everyone else has given his brother up for dead. I hesitate to discuss omissions for fear of giving things away to people who haven't read the book, so suffice it to say that almost all the important plots and scenes are intact. Any problems stem more than anything else from the fact that this work really deserved to be a miniseries doubled in length.

Definitely worth it, although again a complement to - not a substitute for - the book and not for nightmare-prone children.

Many people suggest that Watership Down is not for children. I disagree. Although the message would probably be lost on a child under the age of ten, I think this is an important movie for most kids as it depicts real life struggles as seen through the eyes of a band of rabbits. This particular film is a great way for parents to introduce crucial life issues to their children in a way they can understand. Most literature and film tend to underestimate children's capacity for understanding complex issues. Watership Down book and movie both brilliantly tackle advanced concepts such as political systems, religion and the environment in a way children can grasp. Rarely do you find a children's movie that has the intellectual content of Watership Down. Because of some of the violent scenes, I do suggest that parents watch it with their children in order to answer questions and address concerns. I truly love this film.

In reading through the previous reviews, I was struck by how almost all were written by people from my age group. I was 10 when I first saw this movie in the theater. From where I sit typing this, I can see the novel of the same name on my bookshelf. I convinced my mother to buy it for me shortly after seeing the film. Obviously, this movie made a lasting impression on us all. Just reading the reviews brought back images from my theater viewing 20 years ago.

To reiterate what others have said, this is not a film for small children; my two little ones will have to wait several more years. Death and killing are topics that are usually avoided in animated movies, but life and death are part of the adult-oriented subject matter in this engaging film. The animation may be somewhat dated, but the themes of this wonderful story (the longing for freedom and a better life) are as relevant today as ever. Hopefully this movie will make its way to DVD soon.

Richard Adams' classic on a band of rabbits leaving their secure warren after a prophecy of doom foretold by one of their number was quite a task to bring to the screen. After Fiver sees a vision of their warren in danger and tells everyone to flee, his older brother Hazel and (in the movie version). But I saw the movie on TV and read the book so many times and enjoyed it everytime.

The rabbits encounter many perils away from the warren, and the scene in the woods in the dark is a perfect example of the perils they face. They may be escaping to hopes of a better place, but they have to be on their guard, where their ears perk at any sound.

A big crisis occurs later on and they enlist the aid of Kehaar, a wounded but wacky seagull ("I come from the peeg vater") they nurse back to health, to help them make their new society a more solid founding. That leads them to Efrafa, a militaristic warren under the ferocious claws of the gigantic General Woundwort. He is drawn pretty scary and the little tykes might find him a wee bit frightening.

Some of the rabbits have distinct personalities. There's Hazel the strategist and nominal leader of the group, Fiver the visionary, Bigwig, a tough rabbit and fighter who's their muscle, Pipkin, the small and chubby fearful one, Dandelion the storyteller (who unfortunately doesn't get a chance to tell a story here), Blackberry the clever one, whose ideas save them more than once, and Silver, who's a larger rabbit whose presence seems to give them security. One character that was never in the book is Violet, a doe, who unfortunately meets a tragic end, and her death has great consequences later on.

It's virtually impossible to replicate Richard Adams' masterpiece on an animated level, but producer Martin Rosen and his team try. The rabbit societies and their different outlook is made apparent. There's the authoritarianism of the wanderer's home, the deceiving, untraditional Cowslip's warren, and the cruel militaristic totalitarianism of General Woundwort's warren, Efrafa. Hazel's group is more democratic and the best way to live, as is the vision Fiver has of where they should be: "A high lonely place with dry soil where we can see and hear all around, and men hardly ever come."

The animation is splendid, the rabbits made believable, such as the heroes. The types of eyes play a difference here. The heroes eyes seem normal, while the narrow eyes of Cowslip's rabbits give them a sense that they're a bit weird, and the dark circles around those in Woundwort's sociey give the officers a cruel look, and the others an oppressed look.

A more lyrical set of sequences is given when we get an insight into how Fiver gets his visions. But the image where a warren is destroyed by men is pretty disturbing. From the latter, this movie is not for the younger kids, as there are some frightening and violent scenes. Maybe junior high onward.

And some of the Lapine language terms are used here without explanation, so I'll include them here:

flayrah - very good food, e.g. the carrots at Cowslip's warren

Hlessi - a solitary rabbit not part of a warren

Hraka- rabbit word for excrement, also used as a swear word

hrududu- a motor vehicle

inle - death. Frith and inle is kind of like "Oh my god." in rabbit language

Lendri- a badger

Owsla- the officer class in a warren, in charge of defense and security.

-rah - a suffix meaning prince or a token of respect. e.g. Hazel-rah

silflay - feeding time

Tharn - going tharn means rabbits are going stupefied from fear

The voice actors do well in bringing personalities into the rabbits, especially John Hurt (Hazel), Richard "Good Neighbours" Briers (Fiver), Roy Kinnear (Pipkin), Michael Gruber-Fox (Bigwig), and Harry Andrews (Woundwort), but it's Zero Mostel's over-the-top Yiddish schitck as Kehaar that surpasses them all.
Rabbits. Prolific, hunted by humans, an invasive species, to use the ecological term, but they are animals. The glory and triumph of the rabbit can be summed up in Frith's (the sun and God to the rabbits) message to El-ahrairah, the prince of rabbits: "All the world will be your enemy, prince witha thousand enemies, and when they catch you they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed."

One of my favourite movies of all-time.

I read this book in grade school and it really brought out my love of and respect for animals. I remember thinking "so animals really DO have feelings!" I saw the movie a few years later. Wow. The book was succesfully brought alive in animation. A compelling story that, over 15 years later, still brings me to tears (and that isn't easy). As other reviewers stated, this is definitely NOT FOR KIDS under 13, there is blood and graphic violence. The horror, however, is not gratuitous. It is a necessity in showing the everyday life of prey - always on the run, paranoid, protective, struggling - because EVERYTHING is out to destroy you. Also a bit of commentary on man's ignorance.