Watership Down | John Hurt, Richard Briers

Watership Down | John Hurt, Richard Briers | Wonderful Animated Adventure

DVDs:

Watership Down

	Watership Down John Hurt, Richard Briers Warner Home Video, 2002 average customer review:based on 216 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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

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Great book, good movie

If you loved the book, you will love the movie. If you've never read the book, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Rabbits?!! you say. Yes, rabbits - but we are not talking Disney bunnies, here, or Warner Brothers wabbits, either. These rabbits are people, with a rich and carefully thought-out culture and history and language and mythology of their own, and even in the movie they manage to weave all this rich supporting material seamlessly into the story.

Which reminds me: first let me get this "Family Entertainment" designation out of the way. This isn't really a story for very young children, at least, not for children whose parents feel they still need to say "went to sleep" instead of "died," because, well, the rabbits in the story are realistic in EVERY way, and deal with death on a daily basis. (It's not easy being small and edible!) But if you (or your children!) have no problem with movies like "The Lord of the Rings," or "The Last Unicorn" etc, then this really is Family Entertainment, because it is definitely intelligent and thoughtful enough for adults, as well.

Speaking of "LOTR," I have Watership Down (the book, that is, on which this movie is based) shelved right beside it on my shelf of "Top Novels IMHO of All Time" because of the depth of character and timeless themes such as courage, loyalty, honor, kindness, the victory of the small over the powerful and evil, etc. I was very pleased to find that the movie truly does it justice and sticks quite close to the source material.

This is not high-tech animation, mind you, but there's something very beautiful and touching about the watercolor mattes that remind me of old botanical prints. The animation of the rabbits is amazingly realistic, too - the animators clearly studied real rabbits very closely. There are times when they come a bit too close to making the rabbits' faces themselves a bit too cute, though (or too human-cartoon-ugly, in the case of the "bad guys") but on the whole I was relieved at the lack of cartoonishness. I'm not sure a more modern form of animation would be an improvement. (But what do I know? I thought the Lord of the Rings was unfilmable, at one time, too!)

The sound-track is good, too. Haunting and bittersweet. The brief bit of "Bright Eyes" sung by Art Garfunkle brings tears to my eyes every time - it alone is worth the price of the movie.

All that being said, I have to note that I am posting this review via the "Deluxe Edition" listing. Since that's to be released in October, I don't know yet how it compares to the ordinary edition (other than that it will be easier to find!) or what's different or Deluxe about it - in fact I'm bummed that there is no information in the product description that tells us what extra features to expect, etc. But that didn't stop me from pre-ordering it, anyway! So I'll come back later, after it arrives, and review the "Deluxe" features once I've seen them. See you in October!

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Wonderful Animated Adventure

This is a wonderful animated adventure. An inspiring story of danger and escape backed up with great character voices plus wonderful artwork not seen in current animated movies. Though this movie might not be meant for the 7 and under kids it is a must see for those who love and miss great artistic qualities that were once a part of animated movies.

Been waiting for years for the new release!!!!

I am so happy to finally get this wonderful story on DVD!!! I read the novel many years ago, and saw the film for the first time in 2001. I must admit to being in my 30's, and this is still one of my all time favorites!!!

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Watership Down

Glad to see this classic re-issued with additional interviews and extras. This is as true to the book as it gets. A very entertaining and well executed animated work. It is as good in 2008 as it was when released in 1978. Highly recommended for children & adults alike. Watch this with your kids, you'll love it.

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