Review of Watership Down (1978) by Shantel D — 24 Feb 2014

I am disappoint. This is one of the worst book to film adaptations I've seen. There is no character development, and much of the gravity of the story has been removed. It was like someone wrote it down in point form, and animated that only.

Many details are changed for no reason that I could see. I will give it that the animation is lovely (except for the cat) - the movements of the animals are spot on, and some of the characteristics from the book are there.

I will say also, that I don't think it is too scary or unsettling for children... no more than Secret of Nimh, or many other children's films made around this time. If you love the book, I say stay away, but maybe it's a different experience if you've never read it.