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Much like Richard Adams's wonderful novel, this animated tale of wandering rabbits is not meant for small children. It is, however, rich storytelling, populated with very real individuals inhabiting a very real world. The animation is problematic, sometimes appearing out of proportion or just subpar; but it seems to stem from an attempt at realism, something distinguishing the film's characters from previous, cutesy, animated animals. A band of rabbits illegally leave their warren after a prophecy of doom from a runt named Fiver (Richard Briers). In search of a place safe from humans and predators, they face all kinds of dangers, including a warren that has made a sick bargain with humankind, and a warren that is basically a fascist state. Allegories aside, Down is engaging and satisfying, and pulls off the same amazing trick that the novel did--you'll forget that this is a story about rabbits. --Keith Simanton
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I love how so many people just assume this is a kid's movie just because it's animated. This is based off of a novel for adults, so of course it's not for children. That's like parents complaining about Roger Rabbit being inappropriate for kids. Just because it's animated doesn't mean it's a kid's movie.
This movie is brilliant. It's gory, dark and disturbing... but it's disturbing in a learning sort of way. I'd recommend this film for young teens and up.
This movie is brilliant. It's gory, dark and disturbing... but it's disturbing in a learning sort of way. I'd recommend this film for young teens and up.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This has to be the most amazing animated UK film I've watched!
The animation is superb and looks like it's been done in watercolour paint. In the prologue, the characters and backgrounds appear to have been done in the style of Native American art. Unless you've read the Watership Down book, there are some rabbit terms spoken throughout the movie that you'll be unfamiliar with. I think the actors did a great job voicing all the talking rabbits from Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig to Cowslip. I was born on the year of the rabbit which is considered lucky!
Beware, though, that this movie isn't for children or the light-headed. There's a lot of blood and graphic violence in it as many rabbits are getting mauled and killed in this animated feature. It's a good thing they gave Watership Down a PG rating.
I really loved the song ''Bright Eyes'' sung by Art Garfunkel!
The animation is superb and looks like it's been done in watercolour paint. In the prologue, the characters and backgrounds appear to have been done in the style of Native American art. Unless you've read the Watership Down book, there are some rabbit terms spoken throughout the movie that you'll be unfamiliar with. I think the actors did a great job voicing all the talking rabbits from Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig to Cowslip. I was born on the year of the rabbit which is considered lucky!
Beware, though, that this movie isn't for children or the light-headed. There's a lot of blood and graphic violence in it as many rabbits are getting mauled and killed in this animated feature. It's a good thing they gave Watership Down a PG rating.
I really loved the song ''Bright Eyes'' sung by Art Garfunkel!
By gary stock
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Watership Down may be the only novel ever written about the epic struggle of a colony (tribe? warren?) of rabbits, but once past the initial suspension of disbelief, it's a great read-- with its own language (an automobile is called a "hrududu" because of the sound it makes) poetry, mythology, politics, and British style sociology.
One might have thought that turning this allegorical novel into a film would be impossible for anyone but Disney, but this 1978 film is a British production, which begins in a primitivist visual style, then shifts into a kind of watercolor-influenced cel animation that is easy on the eye but more subtle than a typical Lady and the Tramp type kid's film. The plot and language are also far more adult, since the author is really commenting on the passivity and pessimism of postwar Britain, so the piece has something for all ages. Occasionally dated, but both charming and thoughtful.
One might have thought that turning this allegorical novel into a film would be impossible for anyone but Disney, but this 1978 film is a British production, which begins in a primitivist visual style, then shifts into a kind of watercolor-influenced cel animation that is easy on the eye but more subtle than a typical Lady and the Tramp type kid's film. The plot and language are also far more adult, since the author is really commenting on the passivity and pessimism of postwar Britain, so the piece has something for all ages. Occasionally dated, but both charming and thoughtful.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bunnies in the seventies
Watership Down is undoubtedly a modern day classic. The novel is breathtaking and still popular to this day. Read more
Published 18 months ago by NPC
1.0 out of 5 stars
not what I expected
The video is not what I expected. That in itself is a vague statement since I haven't read the book and had only a general idea of the theme of the story. Read more
Published on April 24 2011 by Freda Holmes
5.0 out of 5 stars
The search for a new home and a new beginning
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. Read more
Published on Dec 14 2003 by Daniel J. Hamlow
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