WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Watership Down
Genre:Animation

Reviewed In Issue 09 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Voices of John Hurt, Richard Briers, Denholm Elliott, Ralph Richardson, Zero Mostel.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3.5
Sound Rating: 2.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number): 34003
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 92
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1993
(LD Release Date): 05/01/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Martin Rosen
(Screenplay/Written By): Martin Rosen
(Story): NA
(Music): Angela Morley
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): NA
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Terry Rawlings
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Martin Rosen

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.75:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
The 1978 produced Watership Down is an enchanting animation classic from the famous original novel by Richard Adams. The characters penetrate and the animation is alive in this great tale of a band of refugee rabbits on a journey to find a safe new home but along the way face danger from malicious farm animals, sketchy humans, and the cruel General Woundwort of a warren-like totalitarian state who continually tries to prevent their happiness. The tale is presented from the eye-point of the rabbits: visionary Fiver, thoughtful Hazel, and courageous Bigwig. Indeed a heroic story, humorous and uplifting, something for the whole family.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture has been matted at 1.75:1. The pastoral artwork and soft animation has an overall dark look. The animation has a watercolor look and lacks the detailed crispness and vividness associated with traditional cartoon colors. The picture is somewhat afflicted with grain and artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack features “Bright Eyes” composed by Mike Batt and sung by Art Garfunkel. Both the music and dialogue are strident and lack overall dynamics and bass extension. Dialogue is directionalized, but sibilant.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: