By Kit-Kat

Over the many years since its original release (1978) Watership Down has gained a cult following in both the UK and the US which I am figuring prompted the latest Deluxe Edition DVD being released on October 7, 2008. I remember back in the day when this came out in the US and I was all excited to see a film about rabbits (having several around the house) and I also remember my horror, shock and utter confusion from watching it at that young age.

It is based on the book by Richard Adams that was finally printed back in 1972; when I say 'finally' I mean it went through many trials to even get published (just as the movie did) about a band of rabbits that leave their warren in search of a new safer home. I have regretfully never read the book. When I saw it was coming around again, I took the opportunity to review the DVD and address the demon rabbits with bright eyes that haunted my childhood.

Martin Rosen's movie adaption strove to follow closely to the book and only the readers of the book will know if this is valid. It takes place in Watership Down an area in England with rolling hills and meadows and the animation is done in a way that makes the movie seem like a beautiful pastel countryside watercolor painting. The beginning of the film addresses genesis and it will provide a shock in itself for the Aztec direction it takes, not to mention the violence. The creator ("Lord Firth" shown as a very Aztec sun in the sky) made the worlds and put the variety of creatures on the earth living in harmony. Of course harmony gets disrupted and the simple beginning cartoon displays a scary turn as the animals are 'evolved'; all becoming the hunters of the rabbits with fangs and bloodlust. Quickly many of the rabbits are killed - and if that alone doesn't shock a young mind the movie is incredibly more graphic.

Moving onward the animation changes into the watercolor painting and very cleverly done (if seriously a bit scary) rabbits. Their eyes are full of emotion and their mannerisms distinctly human. Within minutes you are confronted with mean bigger rabbits bullying the younger smaller rabbits and a psychic rabbit named Fiver who sees their home turning into a dead field of black trees and blood (mind you we at least see the development sign in a parting shot - so even back then our destroying the earth was being noted). This high strung prophetic rabbit definitely tripped me up as a youngster; you just don't see this in a child's cartoon. Anyways, after attempts with the head rabbit go south a band of believer rabbits headed by Fivers brother Hazel, heads out to find a new place that Fiver prophesizes Lord Firth has set aside for them. Without giving away the complete story for those that have not had the uncomfortable pleasure of watching this movie ( I still cannot believe it was in the top ten releases back in its day) I'll just say the amount of trials, predators and dark journey they take (filled with blood and violence) is rather impressive. Of course by now you probably get the impression I disliked this movie - on the contrary, it has held a sick fascination for me over the years, because I've never seen the like before and I didn't understand its deep messages and dark nature until I was much older. A cartoon for children that went through a genesis of life, a fall from Eden (so to speak), community darkness and strife culminating in bloodshed, tyranny and violence, not to mention the portrayal of death and spirit was beyond anything I was faced with. Even now, after watching it again as an adult it still haunts me.

This is definitely a movie that was before its time and only considering what culture we live in today can I figure it will gain appreciation for the masterful way it addressed all the issues of life. Watching it as a family to address the darker nature of the cartoon would be more beneficial than tossing it in as an electronic babysitter. Granted, most cartoons have a violent nature in today's world but, trust me when I say this simple cartoon addresses issues in a much more realistic and graphic way that may upset some younger children. That being said, I still have to agree that it is a brilliant cartoon and one that I think should be seen and appreciated for the masterpiece of classic screen animation.

Okay, enough about that, on to the DVD features!

As you would expect from an old school cartoon there isn't much in the way of special features however, the Watership Down: Conversation with the filmmakers (Director Martin Rosen and Editor Terry Rawlings) is a must see. It was fascinating to learn that everything you see in the backdrop of this cartoon was real. The fields, the forests, the farmhouses, you name it - were directly adapted from the real Watership Down in England. Even the sounds, the birds, the dogs, etc... were all captured in the real area that this story takes place. Personally, I've never heard of such an undertaking for a cartoon. It goes on into the soundtrack, the animation choices, and just delves into the world of process so well that it brings this cartoon into a light that you cannot see when just watching the film alone.

The other feature: Defining a Style also gives great insight into the choices for the character appearances and just how this animation was done back in the day. Quite a difference considering the highly CGI cartoons of today. The last feature, Storyboard Comparison was lost on me, I figured it was actual story boards compared to final animated shots but it just showed clips of certain scenes so, ya got me there what this end deal was supposed to be.

Have I addressed my demon rabbits, I'd be lying if I said yes. Watching it again and understanding much more about the things that haunted me as a child was worth it but, not feeling in awe or... well... haunted is the only thing that comes to mind, is not something I achieved. Do I recommend this fearful tale? Most definitely I do though, as I said before - if younger children are involved, a family viewing is preferable. Little Johnny, watching alone, a rabbit getting his head caught in a snare with blood and flies spewing all over- while his rabbit friends are in a panic (and that is one of the lighter violent scenes) is not recommended. When I say it's worth it to watch it, believe me it is. The complexity and the beauty (even the violence) deserve to be seen, and the realistic vision of the director demands to be known.