Watership Down

PG

Released Jan 1, 1978

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Animation

List

79%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

86%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

When a young rabbit named Fiver (Richard Briers) has a prophetic vision that the end of his warren is near, he persuades seven other rabbits to leave with him in search of a new home. Several obstacles impede their progress, including predators, a rat-filled cemetery and a speeding river. Upon arriving at their final destination, a hill dubbed Watership Down, the rabbits find that their journey is still far from over. Realistically drawn, this British animated film carries an emotional weight.

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Critics Consensus

Aimed at adults perhaps more than children, this is a respectful, beautifully animated adaptation of Richard Adams' beloved book.

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Tasha Robinson

The Dissolve

It's a work deeply enamored with its source material, and determined to do right by it, even if it means frightening kids, baffling parents, and embracing whatever style works.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 23, 2015

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

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.

Sep 4, 2008

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

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.

Sep 3, 2008

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

Trying to forge a relationship with the film ends up feeling like an overall empty experience.

Rated: C

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

I love the book and I think... that this is a worthy adaptation.

Rated: 8/10

Feb 21, 2019

Full Review

David Keyes

Cinemaphile.org

The movie is the antithesis of the modern standard, plodding and patient, unbothered by flashy bright images or relentless comical interludes.

Sep 28, 2015

Full Review

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Euan P

Good movie, but there are three things missing from this that were key details in the book: (spoilers ahead) 1: El-ahrairah stories. 2: Too short, so it didn't have enough time for detail. 3: More Kehaar. Kehaar was not in the movie enough, despite having so much to do with the story. I hope this helped for those who want to see this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Christian K

Great, old-school painterly animation. I have read the book and didn't think this held up very well to it. And I am not even really a fan of the book. Not sure this is even for children, its pretty dark, grim, and violent.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/24

Full Review

Alex G

If not for the animations this movie would be rather mediocre. But it just looks so gorgeous, that I would even rate it a 7/10. It's okay to watch but there are better movies. PG-13. This is not for childen!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/24

Full Review

Alec B

It's as good as an adaptation of Adams' novel as we are likely to get, blending the hopeful fable elements with the moments of bleak violence pretty well. Bound to continue to traumatize generations of children for years to come.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Whiteknight89

This movie is something British adults that where kids when they watch it will always remember

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Patrick C

Incredible. Very brutal, yet enchanting. Just as good as the book and in some ways better.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/23

Full Review

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Martin Rosen

Director

John Hurt

Hazel

Richard Briers

Fiver

Michael Graham Cox

Bigwig

John Bennett

Capt. Holly

Roy Kinnear

Pipkin

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Synopsis

When a young rabbit named Fiver (Richard Briers) has a prophetic vision that the end of his warren is near, he persuades seven other rabbits to leave with him in search of a new home. Several obstacles impede their progress, including predators, a rat-filled cemetery and a speeding river. Upon arriving at their final destination, a hill dubbed Watership Down, the rabbits find that their journey is still far from over. Realistically drawn, this British animated film carries an emotional weight.

Director: Martin Rosen
Producer: Martin Rosen
Screenwriter: Martin Rosen
Production Co: Warner Bros. Animation
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround

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