Watership Down! This unassuming book exploded like a thermonuclear bomb in my child's mind, when I was about 10 years old. In these days before the Internet and with two channels and no subtitles on the TV, I used to reread books. Lord of the Rings was an annual reread. I read this book twice in very close succession, just because it blew me away so much. I then saw the animated film (no subtitles), must track down the new version so I can read the script too. This was a formative book in terms of its anthropomorphism, and I borrowed Shardik and The Call of the Wild that year. Thanks for the memories, Alec!
I remember being confused as a kid, taking it home from the library thinking it was some sort of nautical tale. Don't think I would've read it if I'd known it was about rabbits, but glad I did!
Okay, so this one took about three days, which didn't include rewatching the movie and making preliminary notes. I spent most of the first day writing a preamble about Britain's traditional embarrassment regarding fantasy, all of which I ended up cutting completely. Argh!! Really should have planned it a bit more tightly. I've wanted to do a piece on Watership Down for ages, but couldn't get hold of a copy, then found out the BFI were re-releasing it, so I reached out for a screener. The disc came with a booklet, which was very useful and saved me a lot of time in terms of research. But I still ended up going down other rabbit-holes. I knew a lot of it already - having previously covered the movie in my film book Empires of the Imagination, but still had to update a lot of it as I felt a little differently about it twenty years on. God, that's a lot of work. Really need to turn those payments on. :P
i find these articles on substack more thorough than the articles on medium. Not sure if it is the nature of the medium. But I am grateful that you put these articles out. Has anyone wrote about Weird Tales? Writers like Clark ashton smith?
Fantastic read, thank you!
Thanks, John. Always loved this movie. Was great to give it a proper think-through. :D
I recently saw the cartoon adaptation of another Adams book, THE PLAGUE DOGS, which is even more grim.
I REALLY need to see this movie! :D
I love this film and I love this book (I first read it when I was nine, and it's no exaggeration to say it changed my life). :)
Such an amazing movie & book. This post made me want to re-watch & read both!
It is scary, but it teaches a valuable truth we must all eventually learn.
And teaches you empathy for rabbits.
Thanks, Ada. I've always loved this movie. Great for me to finally understand why. :D
Comprehensive and concise. Great piece Alec!
Thank you!
Watership Down! This unassuming book exploded like a thermonuclear bomb in my child's mind, when I was about 10 years old. In these days before the Internet and with two channels and no subtitles on the TV, I used to reread books. Lord of the Rings was an annual reread. I read this book twice in very close succession, just because it blew me away so much. I then saw the animated film (no subtitles), must track down the new version so I can read the script too. This was a formative book in terms of its anthropomorphism, and I borrowed Shardik and The Call of the Wild that year. Thanks for the memories, Alec!
You're very welcome!
This film broke my heart as a kid. It’s nice to see people posting something a little bit different on here. 💛
Broke mine two (especially the ending). Thanks for reading, Deborah.
An astounding use of animation for storytelling, especially for an unexperienced animation director!
I remember being confused as a kid, taking it home from the library thinking it was some sort of nautical tale. Don't think I would've read it if I'd known it was about rabbits, but glad I did!
:D
Exhaustive and entertaining! How long did it take u to write this
Okay, so this one took about three days, which didn't include rewatching the movie and making preliminary notes. I spent most of the first day writing a preamble about Britain's traditional embarrassment regarding fantasy, all of which I ended up cutting completely. Argh!! Really should have planned it a bit more tightly. I've wanted to do a piece on Watership Down for ages, but couldn't get hold of a copy, then found out the BFI were re-releasing it, so I reached out for a screener. The disc came with a booklet, which was very useful and saved me a lot of time in terms of research. But I still ended up going down other rabbit-holes. I knew a lot of it already - having previously covered the movie in my film book Empires of the Imagination, but still had to update a lot of it as I felt a little differently about it twenty years on. God, that's a lot of work. Really need to turn those payments on. :P
i find these articles on substack more thorough than the articles on medium. Not sure if it is the nature of the medium. But I am grateful that you put these articles out. Has anyone wrote about Weird Tales? Writers like Clark ashton smith?
I looked into Medium and decided on backing Substack instead. Can't quite remember why. :P Here's a good one on Clark Ashton Smith I read a while ago. Enjoy! https://goodman-games.com/blog/2024/01/14/appendix-n-archaeology-clark-ashton-smith/
Just pause for a moment to appreciate the coincidence of two writers on substack who appreciate Ashton smith !
Thanks for link ! And I’ve decided to join substack !
Oh, and thanks for reading, Andrew. Glad you enjoyed.