BFI Distribution have released the brand-new trailer for the new 4K restoration of British animation classic Watership Down (1978). The 2D feature adaptation of Richard Adams’ novel about a group of rabbits on a perilous journey to find their own utopia returns to the big screen this fall for first time in nearly 50 years, newly restored in 4K by the BFI and Silver Salt Restoration.
Re-releasing in cinemas across the U.K. & Ireland by BFI Distribution on 25 October, audiences can catch a first glimpse of the new restoration at its World Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival 2024, where it screens in the Family strand on 12 October in NFT1. Following the theatrical release, the film will be released by the BFI on UHD and Blu-ray on 11 November.
Synopsis: A building project threatens the tranquil lives of the wildlife residing in a British woodland area, not least the rabbits who reside in one of the local warrens. Littlest rabbit Fiver, who has a sixth sense, has distressing visions of destruction lying ahead and persuades a small group to join him on what is to be a challenging journey to safety in the halcyon location of Watership Down.
Directed by Martin Rosen, the film remains a classic acclaimed for its juxtaposition of a brutal survival story with beautiful hand-wrought animation, brought to life by performances from respected British actors like John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Denholm Elliott, Roy Kinnear and Hannah Gordon.
A success upon release, Watership Down also spawned a hit original song. “Bright Eyes,” written for the film by Mike Batt and recorded by Art Garfunkel, was No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart for six weeks and was the biggest seller in Britain of 1979.
