A classic animated film, famously remembered for haunting a generation of young viewers, has landed on a major streaming platform. The 1978 adaptation of Richard Adams's novel, Watership Down, is now available to stream on BFI Player via Amazon Prime Video.
A Deceptively Dark Animated Tale
On the surface, Watership Down tells the story of a group of rabbits led by brothers Hazel and Fiver – voiced by John Hurt and Richard Briers – fleeing their doomed warren to establish a new home on Watership Down Hill. Their journey is fraught with peril from predators, harsh environments, and rival rabbit societies.
Despite its animal protagonists, the film is renowned for its unflinching and brutal scenes, which include graphic depictions of violence. It was a major box office success, becoming the sixth most popular film in the UK in 1979. However, its legacy is inextricably linked to the shock it delivered to unsuspecting families. In 2016, Channel 5 faced significant backlash for airing the film before the watershed on Easter Sunday.
From U to PG: A Film That Grew Up
The film's impact was formally acknowledged in 2022 when the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) upgraded its rating from U to PG. The new rating cited 'mild violence, threat, brief bloody images, language' as reasons for the change, a move that validated the experiences of those who found it deeply unsettling in their youth.
Critical reception has long noted its mature themes. The Guardian observed it "still has the bloody force to scare young minds," while Time Magazine called it "a rare movie that keeps kids on the edge of their chairs." The film holds a strong 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus stating it is "aimed at adults perhaps more than children."
Enduring Legacy and Modern Adaptations
The story's power ensured its revival. In 2022, Netflix released a star-studded miniseries adaptation featuring voices like James McAvoy, Olivia Colman, and Nicholas Hoult. Yet, the original 1978 film remains the definitive – and most controversially memorable – version for many.
Film4 praised the movie for not diluting "the violence and drama of Adams’ book," a quality that has cemented its status as a unique piece of cinema. It stands as a stark reminder that animation is a medium, not a genre, capable of delivering complex and harrowing narratives.
Watership Down is streaming now on BFI Player via Amazon Prime Video.
