Watership Down

Based on the controversial 1978 animated film, which was in turn based on the controversial novel by Richard Adams, Watership Down tells the story of a group of rabbits led by Hazel. When his brother, Fiver the visionary, warns Hazel that their warren will be destroyed by invading forces, they leave in search of a new home, along with the inventive doe, Blackberry, and Bigwig, a veteran of their old home's military class. With the help of new friends like Kehaar the gull and Hannah the mouse, Fiver's vision leads them to a place called Watership Down. Now, Hazel and his friends must protect their new warren from such threats as humans, predatory animals, and attacks from the facist militant warren led by General Woundwart (John Hurt). Yes, these characters are all talking animals, but this ain’t your typical Disney cartoon with singin’ and dancin’. Watership Down often contained violent imagery and disturbing themes, and was much more social commentary than entertainment. While there is no sex appeal on the show (and let’s face it, who the hell wants to watch a bunch of rabbits humping like . . . well, like rabbits), two of Watership Down’s voice actresses have gotten down and dirty on the silver screen--perhaps at a point where their careers were down and out. (Okay, no more “Down” puns--promise!) Kate Ashfield, the easy-on-the-eyes actress who breathed life into the character of Primrose, also breathed life into Do or Die and Love is a Many Splintered Thing by flashing her firm funbags. (Side note: Why is it that they always hire hotties to do VOICE acting? Shouldn’t they give the parts to ugly people who can’t get work elsewhere?) Meanwhile, Jane Horrocks, who gave voice to Hannah, had what we sincerely hope was chocolate pudding slathered all over her studebakers in Life is Sweet.