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Animated thriller

Watership Down (1978): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Watership Down (1978) movie poster

Watership Down is a 1978 animated thriller directed by Martin Rosen, starring John Hurt, Denholm Elliott and Ralph Richardson. It is partly based on Watership Down by Richard Adams and Madeline Miller. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $21,874 worldwide. Critics gave it 64 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$21.9K
Metascore
64
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Watch the trailer Read the plot summary
Watership Down (1978) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Martin Rosen
Genres
Adventure , Drama , Thriller , Animation
Original language
English
Studio
AVCO Embassy Pictures
Based on
Watership Down by Richard Adams and Madeline Miller
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Watership Down About?

The premise of Watership Down without spoilers, adapted from Watership Down by Richard Adams and Madeline Miller. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Faced with the destruction of their warren, a young rabbit named Fiver foresees danger and leads a group of seven companions on a dangerous journey to find a new home. They must travel through challenging terrain, evade predators, and overcome numerous obstacles. Their quest leads them to Watership Down, but they soon discover that establishing a safe haven and ensuring the survival of their community presents a further, significant test.

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Cast & crew

Watership Down Cast

John Hurt leads the cast, with Denholm Elliott and Ralph Richardson. Directed by Martin Rosen; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Watership Down

· 6 more
From the director

More from Martin Rosen

More films directed by Martin Rosen: Stacking and The Plague Dogs.

Full filmography
Ratings

Watership Down Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Watership Down 64 on Metacritic.

Plot

Watership Down Plot Summary

What happens in Watership Down from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the mythology of the Lapine language, it is said that the world was brought into existence by the god Frith. In this idyllic realm, all animals were herbivores, coexisting in harmony. However, as the rabbit population surged, their consumption led to a critical shortage of food. Frith, witnessing the chaos that ensued, decreed that the rabbit prince, El-Ahrairah, should rein in his kind. Yet, the prince’s pride led him to scoff at this command. In a show of divine retribution, Frith endowed each species with unique gifts, transforming some into predators that would hunt rabbits. Sensing a lesson learned, Frith ultimately granted the rabbits enhanced speed and cunning.

Full summary

The whole story of Watership Down, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Watership Down Box Office

Watership Down grossed $21,874 worldwide.

1978 box office

Worldwide gross

$21.9K

International
$21.6K
Videos

Watership Down Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.

Trailer
  • Trailer 4K Restoration Trailer
  • Featurette Guillermo del Toro on WATERSHIP DOWN
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Watership Down?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the god that created the world of Lapine mythology?
Cars

Cars in Watership Down

1 car on screen: the Land-Rover 88'' Series II.

  • Land-Rover 88'' Series II in Watership Down Land-Rover 88'' Series II Minor role
Details

Watership Down Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “워터십 다운의 토끼들” and “Unten am Fluss”.

Also known as
  • 워터십 다운의 토끼들
  • Unten am Fluss
  • Watership Down - Unten am Fluss
  • La collina dei conigli
  • La folle escapade
  • Daleká cesta za domovem
  • Den långa flykten
  • Kaninbjerget
  • Обитатели холмов
  • Orejas largas
  • 沃特希普高地
  • גבעת ווטרשיפ
+9 more
  • Waterschapsheuvel
  • Watership Tepesi
  • Gesztenye, a honalapító
  • 워터십 다운
  • Wzgórze królików
  • Uma Grande Aventura
  • El príncipe de los conejos
  • ウォーターシップ・ダウンのうさぎたち
  • Ruohometsän kansa

Seen Watership Down?
FAQ

Watership Down FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Watership Down, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Watership Down?

Watership Down runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Watership Down released?

Watership Down was released on November 1, 1978.

Who directed Watership Down?

Watership Down was directed by Martin Rosen.

More films by Martin Rosen

Who is in the cast of Watership Down?

Watership Down stars John Hurt, Denholm Elliott and Ralph Richardson, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Watership Down make at the box office?

Watership Down grossed $21,874 worldwide.

How is Watership Down rated?

Watership Down has 64 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Is Watership Down based on a book?

Yes. Watership Down is partly adapted from Watership Down by Richard Adams and Madeline Miller.

Does Watership Down have a post-credit scene?

No. Watership Down has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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