Watership Down (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Watership Down |
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The Watership Down title card. From left to right: Pipkin, Bigwig, Hazel, Blackberry, and Fiver.
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| Genre | Fantasy Children's television |
| Created by | Richard Adams (book) |
| Written by | Mary Crawford Alan Templeton |
| Directed by | Troy Sullivan |
| Opening theme | Bright Eyes (Season 1-2) Season 3 Opening Theme |
| Ending theme | Bright Eyes (Season 1-2) Fantasia on A Flying Theme (Season 3) |
| Composer(s) | Mike Batt |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 39 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 23 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Decode Entertainment Nepenthe Productions Alltime Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network | YTV (Canada) CITV (United Kingdom) |
| Original release | September 28, 1999 – December 4, 2001 |
Watership Down is an animated TV show from Britain and Canada. It's a fantasy series for children, based on the famous 1972 book by Richard Adams. The show was made by companies from both the United Kingdom and Canada. It was also produced by Martin Rosen, who directed the 1978 movie version of the story.
The series aired for 39 episodes over three seasons, from 1999 to 2001. It was shown on YTV in Canada and CITV in the UK. Many well-known British actors lent their voices to the characters, including Stephen Fry, Rik Mayall, Phill Jupitus, Jane Horrocks, Dawn French, John Hurt, and Richard Briers. John Hurt and Richard Briers also appeared in the original movie. Stephen Gately sang a new version of the song "Bright Eyes", which was also in the 1978 film. The show's music was created by Mike Batt and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Mike Batt was even nominated for an award for his music in 2003.
Contents
The Story of Watership Down
The show follows the main story of the book. It's about a group of rabbits who have to leave their home because it's in danger. They travel across the English countryside, facing many scary challenges. Their goal is to find a safe new place to live.
They eventually find a hill called Watership Down. Here, they start a new home, called a warren. But their new home is threatened by another rabbit warren called Efrafa. Efrafa is led by a very strict and mean rabbit named General Woundwort. The Watership Down rabbits soon have to fight to protect their new home and their lives.
Changes from the Book
While the first episodes followed the book closely, later episodes and seasons added new stories and characters. The show became noticeably different from the original book and movie. For example, the character Blackberry, who was a male rabbit in the book, was changed to a female rabbit in the TV series. The show also had a more child-friendly tone compared to the movie, which was quite intense.
In the third season, the show's animation style changed a bit, and many of the original voice actors left. This season also became darker, adding elements of magic and focusing on a new evil warren called Darkhaven.
Meet the Voices
Many famous actors from Britain voiced the characters in Watership Down. John Hurt, who was the voice of Hazel in the movie, returned to voice General Woundwort in the series. Richard Briers, who voiced Fiver in the movie, played Captain Broom. Other well-known voices included Dawn French as Buttercup, Jane Horrocks as Hannah, Stephen Fry as Cowslip, Phill Jupitus as Dandelion, and Rik Mayall as Kehaar.
Stephen Gately, a singer from the band Boyzone, voiced Blackavar. Stephen Mangan voiced Bigwig and later Silverweed. Other actors like Rob Rackstraw and David Holt voiced many characters throughout the series. By the third season, most of the celebrity voices were replaced by experienced voice actors.
Main Characters
Here are some of the most important rabbits and other animals you'll meet in Watership Down:
Watership Down Rabbits
- Hazel – He is the main hero of the story. Hazel is Fiver's older brother and leads the rabbits from their old home. He becomes the Chief Rabbit of Watership Down. Hazel is a smart leader who knows how to use everyone's skills. He gets hurt while helping other rabbits escape but is saved by Fiver. He leads the fight against General Woundwort. His mate is Primrose, whom he rescued.
- Fiver – Hazel's younger brother. He is a small, shy rabbit who has visions of the future. His visions warn the rabbits that their first home will be destroyed, which makes them leave. Fiver's visions often come in rhymes. He and Hazel are very close.
- Bigwig – He used to be a strong officer in their old warren. Bigwig is the biggest and strongest of the rabbits who escape. He is brave and ready for action. He becomes good friends with Kehaar the gull. Hazel often chooses Bigwig for the most dangerous missions, like sneaking into Efrafa. He later becomes the captain of Watership Down's Owsla (their special guard).
- Blackberry – In the TV show, Blackberry is a female rabbit. She is very smart and good with plants and digging. She is the only female rabbit to go to Watership Down with Hazel's group. Later, she falls in love with Campion.
- Dandelion – He is a great storyteller and loves to joke. Dandelion often provides funny moments in the show. He is good friends with Hawkbit.
- Pipkin – A very young and brave rabbit. He wants to prove himself to the older rabbits, especially Hazel and Bigwig. Pipkin is the youngest of the Watership Down rabbits. He is good at making friends with other animals. In the last season, he grows up and becomes a responsible rabbit.
- Hawkbit – He is a bit grumpy and sarcastic, always having a comment for every situation. But he is a reliable member of the warren. He becomes good friends with Dandelion.
- Primrose – She was born in another warren and was held captive in Efrafa. The Watership Down rabbits rescue her. Primrose supports Hazel and becomes his mate. She is also a loving mother to their three children.
- Captain Broom – He was the captain of another warren that was wiped out by illness. He joins the Watership Down rabbits. He tells many long stories but is also wise and helpful in tough situations.
- Kehaar – A black-headed seagull who finds shelter on Watership Down after hurting his wing. He is often impatient and speaks in a funny way. He helps the rabbits by flying over the countryside to find other warrens.
- Hannah – A brown mouse who is a good friend of Kehaar. She is very brave, even though she is small. After Kehaar leaves, Hannah tries to learn magic to help her friends.
Other Important Characters
- Cowslip – The leader of a strange warren called the Warren of the Shining Wires. Hazel and his friends discover that this warren has a terrible secret. Cowslip is a plotter who tries to use others for his own benefit.
- Silverweed – A rabbit from Cowslip's warren who can see into other rabbits' minds by touching them. He later becomes a good friend to the Watership Down rabbits.
- General Woundwort – The main bad guy of the series. He is a mean and powerful leader of the Efrafa warren. Woundwort wants to destroy Hazel and his rabbits because they represent freedom, which he doesn't like. He is a large, strong rabbit with black fur and one blind eye.
- Campion – Woundwort's most trusted rabbit. Campion sees that Woundwort's leadership is hurting Efrafa. He is torn between his loyalty to Woundwort and his feelings for the free ways of Watership Down. He falls in love with Blackberry.
- Vervain – A cowardly and sneaky rabbit from Efrafa. He is good at spying and threatening weaker rabbits, but not very good at fighting. He is very loyal to Woundwort, mostly out of fear.
- Spartina – A warrior rabbit from Darkhaven. She is sent to spy on the Watership Down rabbits but starts to have feelings for Bigwig. She later helps the Watership Down rabbits fight against Woundwort.
Soundtrack
The music for the series was created by Mike Batt and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Several famous singers contributed songs to the soundtrack. Stephen Gately sang "Bright Eyes". Art Garfunkel, who sang "Bright Eyes" for the movie, sang "When You're Losing Your Way In The Rain" for the show. Cerys Matthews sang "Thank You, Stars", which was used as a love theme for Hazel and Primrose.
Home Video Releases
The episodes of Watership Down were released on VHS and DVD over the years. In October 2005, a DVD box set with all three seasons was released in the UK.
Images for kids
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The Watership Down title card. From left to right: Pipkin, Bigwig, Hazel, Blackberry, and Fiver.
