Watership Down (4k Restoration)

G91 min

Synopsis

The classic, distinctly beautiful British animated feature film WATERSHIP DOWN, which follows a group of rabbits on a perilous journey to find their own utopia, is back on the big screen again this autumn, the first time in nearly 50 years, newly restored in 4K, with the characters and colours sparkling as never before.

In 1978, Richard Adams’ timeless novel Watership Down was brought brilliantly to the screen in the celebrated film adaptation directed by Martin Rosen. A building project threatens the tranquil lives of the wildlife residing in a British woodland area, not least the rabbits who reside in one of the local warrens. Littlest rabbit Fiver, who has a sixth sense, has distressing visions of destruction lying ahead and persuades a small group to join him on what is to be a challenging journey to safety in the halcyon location of Watership Down.

Although hard-hitting in its depiction of survival and conflict, the film is a work of great beauty with an extraordinary voice cast who elevate the work to the highest level. Some of Britain’s best-known actors including John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Denholm Elliott, Roy Kinnear and Hannah Gordon, brought the rabbits to life and made them eternally memorable.

Not only was the film a huge success, but the song ‘Bright Eyes’, written especially by Mike Batt and recorded by Art Garfunkel, was a smash hit on release, becoming No. 1 in the Singles Chart for six weeks and the biggest-selling single of 1979 in the UK.

This thrilling tale of adventure, courage and resilience, one of the greatest of animations, will continue to enthral new and old audiences alike, and is unmissable on the big screen this autumn.