Watership Down
Watership Down Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Movie Overview: Watership Down
| Movie | Watership Down |
| Release Year | 1978 |
| Director | Martin Rosen |
| Genre | Adventure / Animation / Drama |
| Runtime | 92 minutes (1h 32m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Watership Down (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Adventure.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Watership Down are led by John Hurt . The supporting cast, including Richard Briers and Michael Graham Cox , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Watership Down stands out as a strong entry in the Adventure genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Adventure narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Watership Down has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Adventure fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Watership Down
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1978, Watership Down is a Adventure, Animation, Drama film directed by Martin Rosen, written by Martin Rosen. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving John Hurt as Hazel (voice).
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. When the warren belonging to a community of rabbits is threatened, a brave group led by Fiver, Bigwig, Blackberry and Hazel leave their homeland in a search of a safe new haven. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: Watership Down establishes its world and central conflict efficiently, with Martin Rosen introducing John Hurt as Hazel (voice) in the opening act, and over its 92-minute runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. John Hurt's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings the narrative threads together, with John Hurt's arc reaching resolution. Martin Rosen's handling of the finale provides adequate resolution.
Ending Explained: Watership Down
Watership Down Ending Explained: Directed by Martin Rosen, Watership Down resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core adventure themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving John Hurt. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the adventure themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Watership Down reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Watership Down?
Age Advisory: Rated PG.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Adventure films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of John Hurt or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Watership Down
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $3.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Watership Down Budget
The estimated production budget for Watership Down is $1.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch Watership Down Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeWatership Down Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about Watership Down age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Watership Down (1978) is 92 minutes (1h 32m). Directed by Martin Rosen, the film runs for 92 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, Watership Down is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Watership Down worth watching?
Watership Down is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Watership Down parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Watership Down identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Watership Down (1978)?
The runtime of Watership Down (1978) is 92 minutes (approximately 1h 32m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
