It’s the return of the Watch Party! Chiming in on instant messenger from North Carolina, Florida, and California, we’re celebrating the 45th (arrgh our bones just turned to dust!) anniversary of the UK release of Watership Down. That’s right, this gorgeously animated film has been traumatizing a generation of kids for 45 years!
The Players: Elizabeth, Hannah, Kathryn, and the parents. (Parents represented here by Marian, because Dad would chisel a message in a stone tablet before typing anything on a phone.)
Elizabeth
Are we still on for Watership Down tonight? If so what time?
Hannah
Mom said she’s down. (WATERSHIP Down, amirite?) They’ll be over here so Dad won’t be able to run away if he doesn’t like it, but at least it’s only 90 minutes
Probably 8ish?
Kathryn
I just checked, and Watership Down is on the Criterion Collection this month, so hopefully it’s the same version as the one on Prime.
Elizabeth
The prime one shows 1 hr 32 minutes?
Kathryn
That’s it exactly!
Hannah
And now to turn off notifications on Mom’s phone…
Elizabeth
I’ve rented it and can hit play any time
Kathryn
Ready here as well!
Hannah
Purchase successful, ready here
…who’s giving the signal?
Elizabeth
I will, play!
Kathryn
Playing!
Elizabeth
Warning for foul language, didn’t remember that
Hannah
oh this music
Kathryn
And this graphic design
Elizabeth
Hang up, can we hit pause, I have audio but no video
Hannah
paused
Kathryn
Paused right at the appearance of the animals
Hannah
ok I’m a little ahead then, I’ve got El-ar-rhar-rarhreafeahrgh’s butt bouncing off screen
Elizabeth
Dangit, one sec
Kathryn
I love this stylized animation but that is one doofy-looking cow.
Hannah
Your mom’s one doofy-looking cow
Kathryn
HAH!
Elizabeth
Hee okay we’re in business, I’m currently paused on the doofy looking cow
Kathryn
Playing!
Hannah
haha ok aaaaand go
Elizabeth
playing!
Hannah
This music kind of reminds me of Christmas Memory
Elizabeth
Yes
Hannah
“Kids movie”
Elizabeth
And the animation is so 70s, interesting and a little spooky
Kathryn
Hang on, “El-ahrairah”
Good, now I’ve got that copied and ready to use A LOT
Hannah
hah, good call
Elizabeth
Done that too!
Kathryn
REALLY love the rabbit design, I think I want that on a pendant.
Elizabeth
I was just thinking that
Gotta be the oboe that makes it sound like Christmas memory
Hannah
There was a map of fictional British locations going around for a while, and I mentioned Watership Down to them, because I was surprised it wasn’t on there, and they were very kind and said they’d looked it up and apparently it’s a real place name in the south of England
Elizabeth
Oh no way!
Kathryn
That’s so cool!
Hannah
Possibly named after the book but who knows
Kathryn
Hope it isn’t overrun with fans
Hannah
West country accents
Kathryn
This kind of animation really impresses me, not a lot of shortcuts
Elizabeth
Owsla, such a cool bit of vocabulary
Kathryn
Eee, the way his eye turns before the rest of him does
This is where I knew we were in trouble.
Elizabeth
Oh yeah, I’ve got goosebumps already
Kathryn
Even knowing how this turns out, you still think Fiver’s a little nuts
Elizabeth
Oh yeah, Mad Prophet and all that
Hannah
“…though I’ll probably get me ears chewed off for this…”
Elizabeth
Oh I know the voice of the Chief Rabbit!
Kathryn
The actor who does the Chief Rabbit, wasn’t he in Time Bandits?
Elizabeth
Ralph Richardson
Hee, I remember the “BIGWIG.” “Biiiiig WIIIIIIIIG”
Kathryn
“What was THAT all about?” I’ve somehow worked that into my vocabulary.
Elizabeth
Definitely a movie to make rabbits look fierce
Kathryn
Bigwig throwing his weight around.
Hannah
Do your hero thing, Clarinet
Elizabeth
Hee
Hannah
DO YOUR SINISTER THING, STRINGS
Elizabeth
hahahaha
Kathryn
This is the sort of setting I have to NOT think about when camping.
Hannah
heh
ooooh the eyes in the tree, no no
Kathryn
Just got to the point where they said something like ‘a Lendren’
Would that be Lapine for a badger
Hannah
I think so
Elizabeth
Looked it up, yep it’s their name for a Badger
Hannah
I think that always baffled me until I read the book
Kathryn
They threw in lovely little flourishes, like the kingfisher in the stream
Hannah
“Well THAT does it…” is in my vocab, too
Kathryn
Such a great running theme, Hazel isn’t the biggest or fastest, but he’s the one who’ll use new ideas and won’t leave rabbits behind.
One of my favorite bits here
Hannah
oooh another thing I say a lot for it not making sense anywhere else, “The hurdudu. It runs on it.”
Elizabeth
I remembered the name Rhududu better than anything else
And the panicked jumping around the rabbit did on the road
Kathryn
That must be a British thing, not swerving to deliberately take out an animal
Elizabeth
Jump scare!
Kathryn
Got to make sure the audience knows there are actual stakes
Elizabeth
ANOTHER jump scare
Kathryn
Panic!
Hannah
haha this is like that “Glad no one overreacted” cat video
Kathryn
Hee, exactly
Elizabeth
Yes!
Kathryn
They really nailed the pompous gestures and way of speaking
Hannah
I always found this community so strange, and I couldn’t figure out if the movie portrays it quite right, as it is in the book, but it’s definitely all off in a way that it’s hard to tell what they’re going for
Which may be the point
But enough to stick with me like a thing I can’t quite untangle
Elizabeth
A little dig at royalty?
Hannah
OH, that’s a good call, Elizabeth
I was just going to say, I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to have a real-world correlation, and that fits
Kathryn
“Oh it’s you, is it? How nice.”
Hannah
I think I was always put off at the idea of the rabbits that do poetry being soft
Kathryn
“We need dignity and the will to accept our fate.”
Seems a lot like “Keep Calm And Carry On.”
Hannah
hah, yes
Kathryn
Heeeeere we go…
Elizabeth
“I’ve a funny feeling in my toe…” Hee! Remember that too
Kathryn
God, that KHHHT sound…
Hannah
“Kids movie”
Kathryn
It’s amazing to think that Bigwig being choked in a snare is the FRIKKIN MOVIE POSTER
Hannah
haha
Elizabeth
Blood from the mouth eeeeeeeeeeeee
Kathryn
“You’re free…” Makes me teary eyed even now.
Hannah
seriously
Also “My heart has joined the thousand, for my friend stopped running today” is a great way to bring people to tears about pet death
Elizabeth
Oh goodness yes
Kathryn
It’s worth it to read this section in the book to see exactly how the Warren was warped by this situation.
Hannah
yesssss
It’s the Celery Fields!
Kathryn
Hee.
Elizabeth
Yay!
Kathryn
Love Pipkin, so tiny and grumbly
Hannah
heee the sneak away
Elizabeth
“Just you..and me” and his ears droop. Love that whole little scene.
Kathryn
“I think I see a dooog…”
Hannah
The dog that you show in the first act…
Chekov’s thousand enemies
Elizabeth
Heh
Kathryn
God, how much the animators must have studied rabbits to get those movements right.
Hannah
And to be able to do character development on them so they’re all distinguishable
Elizabeth
Hee, Hazel’s totally chatting them up
Kathryn
“Can you run?”
Hannah
“I think not”
Elizabeth
Amazing how much of this is coming back to me since it’s been DECADES since I saw it
Kathryn
Oh boy, and now for the REAL trauma.
Elizabeth
ooooh boy this scene..
Hannah
They should make a Black Rabbit of Islay scotch
Elizabeth
I’d drink that
Hannah
(s instead of n because of the island that makes a lot of scotch)
Kathryn
“Runs blocked with dead bodies “
Elizabeth
Gracious that’s an upsetting scene
Hannah
that traffic jam is ACK
Kathryn
Gawd, I forgot that scene was so short
Elizabeth
I’ve been conflating the “fields of blood” scene with that scene for years
Hannah
yes
I always forget that Holly didn’t start out all scarred up
Kathryn
Hyzenthlay, which is apparently Lapine for Dew Shining On Fur
Elizabeth
Awwww
Kathryn
Excellent voice actress for Hyzenthlay
Go Trumphant Woodwinds!
Hannah
haha
I’m not sure it’s ever come to my consciousness before how much I associate General Woundwort with George C. Scott
It’s like a General Patton/Ebenezer Scrooge thing
Kathryn
Definitely Ebenezer in there that’s for sure
Frith On The Hills. I feel like that would make a good T-Shirt
Elizabeth
Oh wow, I think I’ve been mixing him up with Al Swearengen in Deadwood
Hannah
I feel like the book goes a little bit more into why it’s fine that they just find an empty burrow and it’s not necessarily sinister
Elizabeth
I totally forgot about the bird!!
Kathryn
Aw, Kee-Har
Hannah
Zero Mostel
PISS. OFF.
Kathryn
AHHAHAHA
“Is long way?”
Elizabeth
“….is long way?”
Jinx!
Hannah
It’s this theme that reminds me of Christmas Memory
Elizabeth
Yes definitely
Hannah
I don’t think I ever would’ve thought to use “does” and “kittens” to talk about rabbits
I’ll bet that’s what, like, experts used, but Richard Adams made it more widely known
Kathryn
“Where are mate’s? Where are CHICKS?”
Hannah
YOU STUPID BUNNIES
Elizabeth
Hee!
Kathryn
“Stand back, stand back!”
Hannah
This must have been Zero Mostel’s last role–he died in 1977
Elizabeth
Awww
Hannah
We have an Act II
Elizabeth
I was JUST thinking that would be the spot for the intermission
Kathryn
Between the cat and the dog.
Elizabeth
Rare appearance of people
Hannah
Wol rabbit
Elizabeth
I thought he said War Rabbit and couldn’t figure it out
Hannah
heh I’m sure I’ve seen Battle Rabbits before
That’s probably Redwall instead
Kathryn
I think in the book they did get some of the hutch rabbits, but there was a question about whether they were too freaked out by being outside to breed.
Hannah
haha Mom just busted out with, “This music has been reminiscent of Christmas Memory”
Elizabeth
Yay!!
Kathryn
We’re all on the same wavelength
Hannah
SING IT, ART
Elizabeth
I just love the animation of the black rabbit leaping
Hannah
that modulation there is nice
Kathryn
I remember this being cornier when I saw it years ago. It’s full of pathos now.
Hannah
seriously
Kathryn
All the music gone, just that heartbeat.
And some humor to lighten the mood.
Elizabeth
“Perfect. Landing.”
Hannah
Wide Patrols
Elizabeth
A CHILDREN’S MOVIE
Hannah
heh
Kathryn
Really effective, having the Effrafran rabbits to have glowing blue eyes
Hannah
yeah
Elizabeth
Ooo I forgot that he said Frith sent the train
Man that moment when they dig in before the sprint after them, really effective
Kathryn
Amazing how frigging menacing they can make rabbits look.
Hannah
thlessi, I think?
hlessil
Kathryn
“And if you want a doe, you’ve got your choice here.” CHILDREN’S MOVIE.
Elizabeth
Hee
Hannah
Yes, proud puritan American that I am, that stuff makes me way more uncomfortable than the violence
Elizabeth
And that’s Blueberry who was the one who figured out the floating board in the beginning
Kathryn
“THE COUNCIL WERE MERCIFUL.”
Hannah
yeeeeaaaah
“He’ll meet a blacker rabbit than himself one of these nights”
Kathryn
The voice actress is really well matched with Hyzenthlay’s design and mannerisms.
Hee “Listen carefully.” KHEAAAAR!
Elizabeth
teeth clenched “SUN. SET.”
“You’ll have to meet this friend of mine, he talks just like that.” Heh
Kathryn
I like the idea that Hyzenthlay’s a seer like Fiver.
Campion’s such a little toady
Elizabeth
I like that Bigwig specifically went to save the black rabbit
Kathryn
Nail-biting tension here
Elizabeth
Seriously
Kathryn
Keehar saves the day!
Elizabeth
YAAAAY!
Woundwort is legit terrifying
Kathryn
“That bird can’t save you now.” “THERE IT IS!”
Hannah
There’s a rabbit that dies from one of those bridges in the book, I remember that being upsetting
Kathryn
“PIG VATER’
“Shall I kill him, sir?” So menacing.
“Stop him, the others are going tharn.” I’M going tharn.
Hannah
Haha
Elizabeth
Arrgh I forgot about Blackavar!
Hannah
KIDS MOVIE
Kathryn
I don’t think I realized how CLEVER Hazel is the first time I saw this.
RUN FOR IT
Hannah
The thumping
I think not, I thiiiink not
Elizabeth
Wonderful portrayal of a cat!
Kathryn
Such fantastic voice work in this movie.
God, two rabbits tearing each other to PIECES.
Hannah
the SLOBBER
HRAKA
Elizabeth
HRACKA. SIR.
Kathryn
Woundwort is so THROWN by the idea that Bigwig isn’t the chief
Hannah
KIDS MOVIE
Kathryn
Jeeezus
Elizabeth
Man alive my heart’s racing and I’m all choked up
Kathryn
That image of the dog with the rabbit in his jaws stayed with me for YEARS.
And now the part that’s guaranteed to make me teary.
Elizabeth
Yes actually crying now
Hannah
Yay that’s solid
Elizabeth
Wow that HOLDS UP
Kathryn
I think this movie is a big reason why I think the best happy ending is where everyone ends up happy in heaven THE END.
Hannah
Holy shit Denholm Elliot was Cowslip
Elizabeth
hahaha I just had to look that up no way!
Kathryn
I looked up Hannah Gordon who was Hyzenthlay, but the only other thing I’ve seen her in was The Elephant Man.
Hannah
Heh also with John Hurt, right?
Kathryn
Holy cats, that’s right!
Watching the credits, Keehar’s theme is never not going to make me smile.
Elizabeth
I can’t believe I completely forgot about Keehar until I saw him
Kathryn
I remembered him screaming down a hole “Where are CHEEEEEEEKS?” and me laughing until my face hurt, but not much more than that.
Elizabeth
The guy who did Blackavar’s voice had an uncredited role in a Star Trek Next Generation episode
Kathryn
I may need to revisit the book, just to reacquaint myself with the mythology of the rabbits. There’s a story where El-ahrairah travels to the Underworld to bargain with the Black Rabbit that’s downright terrifying.
Hannah
Yeah I read it a couple years ago and that’s quite dark. It does have a bit more of a YA feel than it used to
The guy who was Woundwort stormed the beaches at Normandy
But he had been an actor already prior to that in the 30s
Marian
Haven’t gone back to read all your comments. What was the scene that scared you so badly when you were children?
Hannah
The field in blood, BigWig in the snare, and the fight with Woundwort all seared into my brain
Kathryn
For me it was the nightmarish scene where Holly tells everyone how the old Warren was destroyed.
Elizabeth
Yep, the quick image of a construction machine tearing lines of blood into the field really stuck with me
Marian
Google Watership Down and go to the Wikipedia page. There you will find everything and more that you wanted to know about the book and what Adams thought about all the themes scholars found in the book. Very entertaining.
Elizabeth
Hee, from the trivia:
The British Board of Film Classification had received complaints about this movie for over four decades after its release, due to the board’s decision to classify it U (suitable for all). The BBFC admitted in 2012 that it had “received complaints about the suitability of Watership Down at U almost every year since its classification”. On August 4, 2022, the film was re-rated PG after 44 years.
Kathryn
And a lot of fifty-somethings LIKE ME thank them very much for the trauma.
Hannah
Hahaha