Customer Reviews

Watership Down

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

When eyes are closed, the monsters stay real. Death and violence are not harsh concepts, they are an unavoidable part of living. While seemingly violent and dark to some adults, this film shows that the world is so much larger and complex than most would think about. Many would find rabbits hopping about to be beneath notice, but get into the story behind it, and it becomes a window to the desperate edge that life in the wild can be. This is one of the best films to build compassionate children; helping them to realize that every being has fears and joy in their heart, and a strong desire to live happily. If you feed your mind sappy garbage, you will be sorely at a loss in the world. This movie, and the book, are still able to make me see others in a better light.

I had watched the animated TV series, now I had watched this 1978 film version of the book Watership Down. This film is a true adaptation of the novel, of course I love both the series and film. Now for those of you of a sensitive nature might be scared or sad at some scenes - just a reminder. And I love the voice talents of John Hurt (Hazel) and Richard Briers (Fiver).

So anyway, everything about this movie is so beautiful. The animation is gorgeous, and the music is so simple and pretty. It really captures the spirit of the Downs, which I had learned is an British term for "hill."

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.

For those who think it is not for children, I was born in 1978 and watched it when I was seven years old at school. It found it to be a beautiful and moving experience; even though I was too young to understand the politcal allegory; it made me feel sad in a good way; and made me think how precious and beautiful animals and nature are.

It became my favorite film and I demanded to see it every time we went to hire a video and got upset when my parents wouldn't let me. When I did get it, i watched several times; over and over. I think Martin Rosen did a very faithful job is directing it and bringing it to life; people will complain over the differences, but those silly people don't understand the film medium. The soundtrack is also worth mentioning for it appreciation of the nature and danger.

when media critics observe that television violence effects children, i don't think they are referring to "watership down." tv melodramas or hollywood screwball comedies will use guns, bombs, skateboards, or hockey pucks to inflict pain or destroy humans for pure fun or for far-fetched reasons (cite any harrison ford, mel gibson, steven seagal movie.) "watership down" is a band of refugee rabbits who want to escape from their oppressive society. they want to escape their oppression and they want freedom. "watership down" hands the this topic to children in a way they can relate to: we empathize for the dying rabbit because we've been taught it's the cute and quiet pet. however, human nature shows we are aggressive towards our own kind, so a film like "schindler's list" isn't the best way to illustrate that freedom is worth dying for. if a child cries for the dying bunny who risked his life for others' chance of free will and autonomy, then they subconsciously learn a very important lesson which is cherished very deeply throughout the world. freedom IS wealth.

i believe that if society, especially its parents, can handle subjecting their children to human bloodshed, the kids can deal with a few rabbits sacrificing their lives for their freedom. i also grew up with this movie, starting at age four. i'm now a diligent 19-year-old in university. if you really are disturbed, try explaining it to the kids movies aren't just entertainment. in any case, i HIGHLY recommend this AND the book. it's a wonderful example of magical realism.

You know, I have to say that any of you who rated this movie less than four stars are pretty pathetic. This is one of the finest movies I have ever seen in anime. For God's sake, any child can watch this, but it up to you the parents to research it first so you know whether it is acceptable, but don't criticize a movie because of violent content. I would much rather my child watch this than WWE wrestling where you have gorgeous women losing their panties and their tops at pay per views not to mention on cable itself. I do not in anyway bash the children because if they were frightened it is not their fault. This movie as far as I know has always been intense and can affect us all differently. I read the book as well after I had seen the movie and of course the movie will never be as good as the book but, good grief, what movie actually is these days. Most movies are just garbage and I rarely see movies. I will tell you that I watched this movie when I was probably three years old and I understood everything that was going on and it has been one of my favorite movies for over 20 years. The storyline is beautiful, the characters are superb, the music is excellent, and it entrances me everytime I am able to view it. This is a must have movie for anyone who wants to see gifted story telling in action. And to all you parents who rated this so poorly, I think you better rethink what you put down because this movie will not drive a child to violence and it is your duty as proper human beings to guide your children and explain to them what will happen in a movie such as this. As far as I am concerned I am disgusted that you would call this violent considering every movie out to today has someone wielding a gun or has some sort of sexual content in it. Think, that is all that I am asking you to do. Use your brain, that's what God gave you one for didn't he?
But rather I did not write this to bash anyone in particular. I am disagreeing with what I read and have a perfect right to do so. Anyone at all, see this movie, it is a true masterpiece but mind you don't be stupid enough to compare it to the book because no movie is as good as a book is at anytime. Trust me!

Watership Down is undoubtedly a modern day classic. The novel is breathtaking and still popular to this day. The movie, however, is a different story; it is amazing in its own right, but lacks some of the magic the novel had. It's still however a great adaption, as it contains all of the major plot points and though altered slightly the plot is essentially the same. However there are some differences most fans will notice but there's not as many as you'd think. The only thing I'd like to mention is the animation. To this generation the animation is a little old and different than what we see today but given that this was made in the 70s it's understandable. There is also a distinct 70s feel throughout the entire movie which can be annoying if someone doesn't like that era. The voice acting is great, the character design aim for realism and the movie is definitively worth watching. The special features however are a bit bare bone but fall between noteworthy and "meh". The main reason for the 4 stars is that the price is simply too high for the content considering it doesn't have that many special features for a deluxe edition but then again considering its age its probably hard to find period. A final note as its been said before this is not for young children as there are violent scenes and somethings they simply won't get at a young age. However this is for the young at heart and any fan who simply wants to experience Watership Down all over again in slightly different way.

A group of Rabbits seek a new home in England to a special place called "Watership Down" but unfortunately there is some danger like dogs, cats and some enemy rabbits.

Splendid and brilliant animated British-Canadian drama based on Richard Adam's brilliant novel. The animation is quite good for it's time, there is some bloody violence enough though it's rated "PG" and the music score is just one of the best i've heard.

This is truly a must see animated flick! also listen for the voice of John Hurt.

Also recommended: " The Last Unicorn", " The Secret of NIMH", " Wizards", " Grave of the Fireflies", " The Flight of Dragons", and " The Hobbit".

I am delighted with the September 2003 release on DVD of the beloved animated feature film Watership Down as a 25th Anniversary special edition. Owning a copy of this movie, which is to me uniquely special, indicated the central role DVD technology has assumed in preserving people's favourite movies for home viewing in a more lasting form than ever before. Only now have I begun to collect movies after many years of avoiding them owing to a concern over the utility, and durability of the decay-prone videotape system. This film, one of the very first I have purchased, has some extras added, the most useful of which is an extensive commentary from director Martin Rosen that covers most aspects of the film's generation and adaptation from Richard Adams's award-winning book. But the film itself is a true classic. I saw it at the cinema in early 1979 aged nine, soon after reading the book (which was a 9th birthday present for me).It made a very strong impression on me, and I found it a beautifully-realised tale that incorporated a mythic prologue that explained the basic workings of rabbit society, a dangerous quest, a very well-defined central cast of rabbit characters- the noble Hazel, the courageous Bigwig, the prophetic Fiver, and the oppressive General Woundwort. There is fear and danger in the rabbits' adventure but also heroism, ingenuity and loyalty, not to mention altruism when the kindly if cantankerous seabird Kehaar (voiced by Zero Mostel) is given shelter by the rabbits and later acts as a scout, helping them hatch a plan to stave off invasion by a ruthless tribe of neighbouring rabbits they come into conflict with. The English countryside is delightfully, and accurately portrayed, and the idea of animated animals enacting a tale that has at its heart the battle to survive in the face of human expansion and ecological destruction works well. The film cannot, in 88 minutes, give too much detail of the several alternative styles of societal organisation (described more fully in the book)that the rabbits encounter on their journey, but nothing crucial to the story is omitted. The other wonderful feature of Watership Down is the original song Bright Eyes, performed by Art Garfunkel. This hauntingly beautiful tune appears in an edited dream sequence in the middle of the film that represents Hazel's rescue after being dangerously hurt. It is my all-time favourite song.

This movie is most suited to older children (8-9+)and adults, and will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Unlike some novels that are converted into videos, they managed to make this one enjoyable. Just a small warning- despite the rabbit characters and bright art, this is definetely not a children's video. For example, during Holly's recount of what happened after he and some other rabbits left the warren, there is a very haunting scene that creeped even me out (for a little while, at least, ^-^;). Oh, and Art Garfunkel sings the song, Bright Eyes. Yay!