The animated masterpiece that traumatised a generation of British children
In short: When it arrived in 1978, marketing teams couldn't decide if this was for adults or kids. The result was a brutal, beautiful epic of survival that became a box office sensation, yet left many viewers questioning if a 'U' rating was ever truly appropriate.
Directed by Martin Rosen, the 197 far-reaching adaptation of Richard Adams's 1972 novel follows a group of rabbits fleeing destruction. The film's mythology, rooted in the Lapine language, tells of the god Frith, who granted rabbits speed and cunning after the prince El-Ahrairah failed to control their growing numbers. This mythic backdrop sets the stage for a journey through a landscape of real-world Hampshire locations, featuring a cast including John Hurt and Zero Mostel in his final role.
The production was a financial feat, funded by a consortium of British institutions and bolstered by merchant banker Jake Eberts. While the budget was estimated at $2.4 million, the returns were staggering; some investors reportedly saw a 5,000% return, while others saw their initial $50,000 development finance grow tenfold. Despite its success, the film's identity was contested. Critics like Roger Ebert found the 'cuddly' animation style at odds with the grim realism, while others, like Jay Scott, drew powerful allegorical parallels between the tyrannical General Woundwort and Adolf Hitler.
The film's legacy is inextricably linked to its intensity. Though it originally passed the BBFC with a 'U' certificate because the animation was thought to soften the violence, the rating was raised to PG in 2022 following decades of complaints. While some view it as a 'classic' that traumatised young viewers, others argue it serves as a mature, honest alternative to the sugar-coated narratives of the Disney era, presenting a world where life is both difficult and rewarding.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Watership Down (film)
- Also: Wikidata — Watership Down · CC0
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