BBC to Develop a CG Adaptation of ‘Watership Down’

It appears it’s not just animation in the U.S. that’s susceptible to a nostalgia bite.

The Radio Times recently reported that the BBC is developing a CG retelling of the classic children’s book Watership Down (and the memorable 1978 animated film of the same name).

Not much more information can be gleaned from anywhere else.  But, we do know that the script is in the early stages and that this adaptation is being made in hopes that it will bring the Watership Down story (about a band of rabbits facing danger and peril in search for a new home) to a brand new audience.

Perhaps best remembered for quite literally being one of the darkest animated films to have a cast consisting solely of talking animals, the original film featured the voice talents of John Hurt, Ralph Richardson, Denholm Elliott, and Richard Briers.

Whether or not this adaptation will be a movie (like its predecessor) or a TV show (similar to the one that ran on CITV from 1999 to 2001) is yet to be known. The company that will be animating the new adaptation also remains a mystery.

Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how much, if any, of the book’s dark subject matter will translate to the new adaptation.

Watership Down (the 1978 film) is available on DVD/Blu-Ray and all digital platforms. Be sure to check out Jed Johnson’s review of the film on our website here. The Animation Addicts gang will also be talking about the film in a future episode of the podcast, so watch out for that as well!

What do you think? Would a story like Watership Down appeal to today’s audience? Should new audiences be introduced to Watership Down?

Edited by: Hannah Wilkes