Watership Down (1978)
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Cast
as Hazel
as Campion
as Fiver
as Chief Rabbit
as Cowslip
as Black Rabbit
as Kehaar
as Capt. Holly
as Dandelion
as Gen. Woundwort
as Silver
as Pipkin
as Blackberry
as Bigwig
as Frith
as Blackavar
as Hyzenthlay
as Vervain
as Clover
as Cat
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Critic Reviews for Watership Down
All Critics (33) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (6) | DVD (8)
A rare movie that keeps kids on the edge of their chairs without inducing in their parents an overwhelming desire to escape theirs for a smoke in the lobby.
A brief spark of imagination survives in a prologue sequence, designed by the great John Hubley before he was fired from the film. The rest is blandness.
The 'camera' takes a conventionally objective viewpoint, perpetually rolling over rolling countryside, which effectively robs the plot of all its terror and tension.
The movie is the antithesis of the modern standard, plodding and patient, unbothered by flashy bright images or relentless comical interludes.
Although this is an animated film featuring cute rabbits as the main characters, this is far from a children's movie, and considering the violence and horror to be found in this film, it is rather surprising that the MPAA passed it with a PG rating.
The film's careful balance of humanizing the rabbits while also recognizing the realities of their inherent nature (which is more territorial and combative than cute and cuddly) gives its conflict a particularly sharp edge
Audience Reviews for Watership Down
Watership Down shows faithfulness and outmost respect for the novel. I admire the choice to go in the direction of adults for a film that features bunnies. It's amazing how a cartoon can really push the barriers for emotional impact. It's suprisingly gory (it was a pleasant one). I cry when I watch Watership Down. It's an underated animated jewel that one day will be appreciated for it's majesty. An absolute classic, among my favorite films.
Super Reviewer
This is possibly one of those innovative animated tales that is nowhere near recognized for the strength and creativity it has. Watership Down is a story that makes Bambi looked entirely phoned in and misguided (not saying it is). Strong in voice acting and stunning artwork, this film starts off just a little lacking in the animation department, but that changes less than ten minutes in, for you are taken away by the complexity, drama and overall tension of the story and environment. And not only this, the film is created in such a way that it is far more suitable for adults than children, even if it is centered around a collection of rabbits and their search for a new home. Most likely where Charles Grosvenor got the plotline for his much more "kids-friendly" film Once Upon A Forest, Watership Down is edgy, dramatic, truly beautiful and wonderfully engrossing, one of the best animated films I have ever seen.
Super Reviewer
Such a great movie, loved it as a kid and still stands up today. Brings a tear to my everytime I watch it.
Super Reviewer
Watership Down Quotes
| Gen. Woundwort: | I'll settle with you myself Bigwig, no use to take you back. |
| Bigwig: | Come on and try ya' crack brain slave driver! |
| Capt. Holly: | It's you who'll be killed! |
| Kehaar: | Ees long way? |
| Fiver: | Violet's gone. |