Watership Down
by Martin Rosen
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DVD details
Actor: John Bennett, John Hurt, Michael Graham Cox, Ralph Richardson, Richard BriersDirector: Martin Rosen
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-03-26
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Reviews of Watership Down
DVD Review: Been waiting for years for the new release!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
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!!!DVD Review: Bad transfer. What a dissapointment.
Summary: 1 Stars
The transfer of this movie is bad. It's very noticeable at the beginning when Bigwig has an audience with the chief. The colors flicker and fade. It happens throughout the movie.
I tried the DVD on three different machines and two different TV's.
If you want the movie try to get a different release off eBay.
Do not purchase this DVD. Warner Brothers needs to provide a corrected version.
Otherwise the movie is great. :)
Just to be fair to WB I had the movie replaced. Same issue.
DVD Review: Great book, good movie
Summary: 5 Stars
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!
DVD Review: Watership Down - A Tale for the Ages
Summary: 4 Stars
Watership Down is listed in listed in the on some sites in the Family/Children Category and in my opinion it should not be. It should be listed under Anime/Animation. This is a wonderful movie & animation was the most logical format for the story considering the setting & characters. But, I think the subject matter is far too mature for young kids to grasp. It is slow in some parts that children may find boring & even I was disturbed by some of the violence portrayed in the film. It's very unusual to see rabbits tearing each other apart (perhaps that is precisely the reason Richard Adams chose rabbits for his story). I would highly suggest to parents, watch the movie on your own prior to showing it to your kids to determine if it is suitable for them. You know your kid best. I do however, think it's appropriate for kids 11 years old and up.
The animation in the movie may not live up to today's standards, but the animators took great care in their work. This is most obvious in the impressive way they animated the rabbits' movements. I have owned pet rabbits since I was a little girl & I can say with a great amount of certainty that the movements & natural rabbit behavior was animated not only beautifully, but realistically as well.
There are so many valuable lessons pointed out in this movie that are directly related to the Human Condition such as fighting tyrannical authority, standing up for what you believe in, friendship, following your own path, the pursuit of happiness etc. But one issue that hasn't been discussed much here that is very relevant is the film's portrayal of how humans are so apathetic towards their environment & fellow creatures. A great example of this is in my favorite scene when Captain Holly locates the wayward bunnies & recounts to them how the humans destroyed the warren. BigWig then says "Humans have always hated us," & ever so poignantly Holly replies, "no. We were just in their way." This film is disturbing yet, inspiring & thought provoking. It will affect all who view it.
The Soundtrack: The score is pretty standard as far animated features go. Each musical piece is emotionally appropriate to each scene it's matched with. Nothing incredibly memorable, however. And there is strange interlude mid-film which contains the musical "highlight" of the film, a song called "Bright Eyes" sung by the legendary Art Garfunkel (you can tell this movies was made the year I was born 1978, my mom was a huge Garfunkel fan!).
DVD Special Features: The DVD that I watched was released in March 26, 2002. For those of you who are big fans of the "WD" saga (Jenn that means you should pay attention, LOL) a deluxe collector's edition with filmmaker interviews and other interesting bonus material will be released October 7, 2008. The particular release I watched extremely lacking in entertaining or informative extra footage but here's a brief rundown anyway:
Richard Adams Profile: A brief biography about and list of other written works of the book's author.
"Watership Down Today": A brief history & geography lesson on the actual location.
Theatrical Trailer: I think this one is self-explanatory.
Bunny Talk Glossary: The most useful of all the bonus material. If you are unfamiliar with Watership Down you should know that the Rabbits have their own language & religion. I would highly suggest that newbies to this story peruse this Rabbit-to-English Translation Guide before viewing the film. It will make the story easier to follow & the movie more enjoyable to watch.
DVD Review: slow shipping, great product!
Summary: 5 Stars
It took a month to get the movie, but it was listed in 'used' condition. It really looks like brand new! Very happy with my purchase, would def. deal with this seller again!
Description of Watership Down
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 SimantonFeature Films DVDs
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