Watership Down

Where to Now?

In 1978, the international best seller was released as 
an animated film after two years of work. The 98 minute
film touched on most of the story's plot, although like 
any book turned film, it left out sections that readers 
of the novel may well consider essential. Nevertheless, 
there is a certain joy to seeing the charcters come to 
life; to watch them act out the story and live through 
their adventure. While no substitute for reading the 
novel, the movie is enjoyable viewing for anyone who 
has either read the book or simply enjoys a great story.

  Plot Differences  

Following are some of the differences 
(some major, some minor) between the novel version of 
Watership Down and the animated version in no special order: 

The inclusion of a doe named Violet, who escapes from 
Sandleford with the other rabbits. She is later killed 
by a hawk in the field where Pipkin is attacked by a crow 
in the novel. Needless to say, in the novel no does left
Sandleford with the group.

The lack of the lapine myths with the exception of The 
Blessing of El-ahrairah told as an introduction. While 
including the stories who would have no doubt made the 
film twice as long, it's sad to see such a rich part 
of the novel trimmed.

The complete lack of mention of the characters 
Speedwell, Acorn, Hawkbit, Bluebell, and Strawberry. 
Hardly a major flaw though since the five rabbits were 
such minor characters.

The lack of mention of Silverweed. While it can be 
argued that Silverweed was even a more minor character 
than the three rabbits listed above, he represented 
the 'spiritual' aspect of the Warren of Shining Wires.

Hardly a major point, but in the novel Cowslip is 
described as a large sleek rabbit who is obviously 
well fed and perhaps dangerous due to his size. In 
the movie he becomes an effeminate fop.

There is no diplomatic mission from Watership Down 
to Efrafa. Instead, by the time the companions find 
Holly in a ditch, he had already visited Efrafa on 
his solo travels. This again, was most likely done 
in the interest of speeding the plot along.

Hyzenthlay is the final rabbit in the 'dog chasing rabbit 
to the down' scene in the film. In the novel, the rabbit 
was Dandelion who was established previously as an 
exceptionally fast fellow.

The fight against the rats is elaborated upon in the 
film, or at least described in present tense as opposed 
to a memory. Also, in the film the fight occurs in a 
cemetary tool shed as opposed to a barn.

The timing of the raids on Nuthanger Farm are different 
in the film. Also, the rabbits taken from the farm are 
more or less effectively ignored for the rest of the 
film with the exception of Clover's den during the 
Efrafan seige.

Hardly a difference since the book does not come 
provided with sound effects, but I've always hated it 
when cartoon characters are given stupid voices. The line 
"Can you run? I think not" when delivered by the cat 
in the novel was one of the most chilling, actually 
leading me to believe upon my first reading of the 
novel that Hazel was indeed finished. In the film, 
the cat just sounds dumb.

The death of Blackavar,who is killed by Woundwort
during the Efrafan siege. In the novel,Blackavar
is not killed.

Not a major difference,seeing as the novel doesn't
come with visual portions,but it still annoyed me.
The fact that two of the most exciting parts of the
story,Bigwig's escape from Efrafa and the Efrafan
seige of Watership,are very much belittled.

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