A Rabbit’s Tale of Power, Society, and Survival.
Written by Madison Challis
Edited by Morgan Forbes
Watership Down is a British animated adventure-drama film, directed by Martin Rosen, based on the novel by Richard Adams. The film follows a group of rabbits as they search for a new home after their warren is destroyed by human construction. The story of Watership Down touches on several themes, including social, spiritual, mortality and political issues.
I remember watching this for the first time. I was in primary school and my friend and I saw a cartoon on TV about rabbits and thought: sure, that looks like a perfectly suitable film for us to watch! Well, if you have seen this film, it is quite the opposite – to a sensitive child like me it was anyway. I can’t lie, I felt traumatised after watching it, but at the same time was glued to the TV. I hadn’t seen anything like it – bare in mind it was rated PG – as it really portrays dark themes in a way that I have never seen in a movie ‘suitable’ for children. The storyline has been engraved in my mind ever since, and until writing this article I had only revisited the film once due to how much of an effect it had on me. It just really shows that animation, even children’s animation, can present profound social and political ideologies.
The social themes I learned as a child from Watership Down centre around the idea of community and the importance of teamwork. The rabbits in the film understand the value of working together to achieve a common goal, and they rely on each other’s strengths to survive in the wild. The film also explores the idea of leadership and the challenges that come with it. Hazel, the protagonist, is a natural leader who must navigate the dynamics of his group and make difficult decisions for the good of the community.
Death and the afterlife are strong spiritual themes in Watership Down. The rabbits in the film have a strong belief in the rabbit goddess, Frith, who they believe created the world and controls their fate. They also believe in the idea of the Black Rabbit of Inlé, a figure who represents death and the afterlife. The film explores the idea that death is not necessarily an end but rather a continuation of life in a different form.
Despite this, the film also touches on the theme of mortality and the fear of death. The rabbits are constantly aware of the dangers of their surroundings and the possibility of death. The fear of death drives their actions and decisions, and they must learn to overcome it in order to survive. However, as suggested above, the film ultimately suggests that death is a natural part of life and that it is important to accept it as such.
Finally, the film delves into political themes, particularly the idea of power and control. The antagonist, General Woundwort, is a dictator-like figure who rules over his warren with an iron fist. He believes in the strengths of power and control and refuses to compromise or show weakness. He is terrifying. In contrast, the rabbits of Watership Down value freedom and democracy, which ultimately leads to a conflict between the two factions.
At its core, Watership Down is a story about different political ideologies and the conflicts that arise when they clash. The rabbits of Efrafa are oppressed, and individual freedoms are suppressed in favour of the ‘collective good’. On the other hand, the rabbits of Watership Down are free to make their own choices and to elect their leaders democratically.
The clash between these two ideologies comes to a head when General Woundwort discovers the existence of Watership Down and seeks to take control of it for his own purpose. In response, Hazel and the other rabbits of Watership Down use their intelligence and teamwork to outmanoeuvre and defeat Woundwort’s forces. This conflict taught me as a child (without realising it) the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of freedom and democracy. It highlights the ways in which authoritarian regimes suppress individual freedoms in favour of the collective good, and the dangers that can arise when those in power are unwilling to compromise or show weakness.
Spoiler alert (although this film is 45 years old so if you haven’t seen it by now, I am not sorry): Hazel's vision of a happy relationship between Efrafa and his warren is fulfilled, and the new warren between the two other warrens also prospers. Hazel has proved himself a great leader, and all of the rabbits live out their lives in peace and happiness. The socialist warren wins. Hazel dies of old age at the end of Watership Down. Frith visits Hazel and personally escorts him into the rabbits' version of the afterlife. The god assures Hazel that the warren will thrive even though Hazel will no longer be there to guide its inhabitants.
Overall, the political themes in Watership Down are an important part of the film’s message. It shows that different political ideologies can clash and that the consequences of those clashes can be devastating. It ultimately argues in favour of the importance of individual freedom and democracy, and the need for leaders who value those ideals above all else.
In conclusion, Watership Down is a complex film that touches on several themes, and it was probably the first film that enlightened my political thoughts. Its exploration of social, political, spiritual and mortality makes it a thought-provoking and meaningful viewing experience. The film’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Finally, the film introduced me toArt Garfunkel, with the beautifully haunting song, ‘Bright Eyes’
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