Watership Down (1978/1999-2001): side-by-side comparison

Side-by-Side Directory: mattskuta.com/sbs/
This side-by-side, shot-for-shot comparison is intended to illustrate the the unique vision of filmmakers and the variety of choices possible when creating a motion picture adapted from the same written work.

[@LePenguin]

What's interesting is that the 1999 series completely changed Woundwort's fate Instead of being mauled by the dog, he and his army were taken to the underworld by the Black Rabbit

[@LpsRoseGold]

True. At least they confirmed In That series woundwort's Gone.

[@PikminandOatchi]

Which completely shits on Friths no intervention policy.

[@whatthe8508]

why you all have it a fact woubdwort got eaten by the dog? we didnt learn what happend so...,

[@nickedits9273]

@@PikminandOatchi I know this is 2 Years Old but uh… didn’t El-ahrairah in the Myth basically sacrificed what made him a rabbit to gain The Black Rabbit of Inle’s Help to win the war? That’s the literally the exact same thing they did in the TV Series except it was by sacrificing most of your life

[@marvelfanatic9535]

The comparison is fascinating

[@charmeleon1013]

1978 was better than the 1999/2001 because it’s more realistic than some cartoony version. In 2018 there will be a CGI release

[@IronycheinPain]

More like in 2019

[@tabithascheibe8922]

CGI release is out, way better for kiddos and more real.

[@Exolux]

There “Will” be one in 2018 but post it in 2019 big brain

[@neptunearchives642]

1978 Is the goriest one than 2001

[@Jesus-bv8jk]

@@neptunearchives642 Heeey

[@Nixxinity]

I like the 1978 version, so much more detail :D

[@nirock2550]

The general is more scarier in 1978

[@megspitzer9406]

But he looks badass in the TV show

[@whatthe8508]

@@megspitzer9406 exactly especially in season 3

[@willieholmes1483]

There is no such thing as “more scarier”. It’s either “more scary” or “scarier”.

[@fortcastellan1730]

Two weeks ago, I would have ripped on the 90s version so hard....But after just seeing the Netflix/BBC version, and all the story elements they changed or just plain left out....Its charming to see how much the 90s show actually tried to do justice to the story.

[@speakdino10]

The Netflix release was phenomenal. They had to change major elements so people who have seen the original wouldn't guess EXACTLY what would happen. But they stayed true to the message of the original, and will introduce another generation of children to the hard truths of life.

[@gingaddict]

I actually see the Netflix version as a mix between the 70s and the 90s versions of the story.

[@cassidyhayes8729]

The original is more realistic, but I still like the 1999 version. I like how it added more to the story, even if it skipped most of their their journey to Watership, and I enjoyed all the shipping and lessons it put in there about trust, friendship, love, and sacrafice. Campion, along with a few more other characters, became more relatable and we got to know them more, which is what led to Woundwort becoming a sympathetic character and Campion being one of my favorite characters. I also really enjoyed the love life that he shared with Blackberry, and the one that Bigwig shared with Spartina. And each character has their own unique and more noticable appearance, with their sizes differing, having unique markings, and each having their own color paletes. It's a good show.

[@tomnorton4277]

Fun fact, John Hurt came back for the first 2 seasons. He was Hazel in the movie and Woundwort in the show. I wish he'd stayed for Season 3.

[@marvelfanatic9535]

Actually now I love both, especially what Fiver said at the beginning, “The field is covered with blood!”

[@icedevilart1379]

Basically 1999 version is the child friendly version of watership down

[@Doug19752533]

i was always a fan of the 78 version and the book, and enjoyed the 2018 version. my wife and i watched the 78 version and during Woundwort's fight with Bigwig she exclamed "Jesus! your dad let a kid (meaning me) watch this??"

[@mellowxkrabb9084]

You could say that it's a watered down version... badum tss

[@Evilriku13]

you say that when the main antagonist in the original was very compremised of his reasoning for acting the way he did in compare, where he got more of a tragic backstory in the 90s/early 2000s adaption.

[@psyc840]

Kinda. They did still show a rabbit getting shot.

[@hjames78]

Netflix is giving it a good and it's cool but watered down (pun intended). All these people seem to not understand what made this movie so good in the first place smh

[@turbobrony1472]

I remember watching the TV series, I very well enjoyed, along with the 1978 film!

[@newseriesfan]

5:24 music works with scene

[@lbdproductions1596]

I love this story!

[@marvelfanatic9535]

LBD Productions same here!!! I read the book and I’ve read it twice already

[@user-jo5wv5re5w]

God I'm glad you done this is because The Watership Down is such a good Movie also keep up the good work

[@dustytailstudios]

As much flack as the 90's cartoon series is, I will admit,some things they added actually made me interested. It was always hinted at there where mysterious forces in the world, and that powers did exist (i.e Fivers visions of the future). Also they actually added things I never thought of that actually kinda built it up more: Dark Haven actually was a cool addition, a spartan romantic rabbit cult that seemed to worship the black rabbit more than Elirah is actually quite interesting. They favor death over tricks. Even woundworts backstory,though a little odd, actually gives him something more to his character. He isn't just a big brute that wants power, we see why he wants power; his mother was killed by a weasel, a human with potentially good intentions made his life a living HELL: feeding him flayrah instead of silflay constantly, a cat tourmenting him through cage bars. If given more time and better development, it could of been that he created efrefah at FIRST to be a warrior who favored the saftey of it's rabbits above all else; know where every rabbit is, make sure everyone comes home safe.. but slowly paranoia builds up and his want to keep things in control leads it to the militaric efrefah we know. It would paint Woundwort as a sympathetic villian,but also show hazel the parallels of what a Warren means. Would Hazel follow cowslip; who values comfort over saftey, or would he be like woundwort,who values saftey over comfort?

[@SlapstickGenius23]

I saw the 1999 water ship down tv show on DVD at the Glebe DVD store.

[@jamsee1]

Having just seem the first part of the new CGI adaption of this... it's excellent. Not as good as the original but as already thought, way better than the animated series. The only thing that wasn't great was the adaption of Frith and El-ahrairah at the beginning but suppose it was something they didn't need not to stay in too long plus, It's never going to be better than the original inspired 2D Australian aboriginal artwork featured from the film. Like it actually depicts some parts from the film, parts from the book and then a completely new route/adaption. Have enjoyed the first whole part, looking forward to the final part tomorrow. The graphics aren't that bad... think people want perfection and forget how much hard-work has gone in to produce this. Really impressed €:^)

[@victorhf28]

You should make a review channel, i love your thoughts about these adaptations, and would love to hear more!

[@jamsee1]

@@victorhf28 Awww, that's a nice comment, thanks. I would if i had the time and energy but don't really have this at the moment.

[@inspector2363]

Where was Fivers blood vision & prologue in the 1999 series? Episode 1 started with them already travelling, from what I remember.

[@catsubiston]

1999/2001 had less violence I think, but I have to admit that the 1978 one is better.

[@jaythebillz9543]

General Woundwart looks like he was on steroids in later seasons.

[@mjpilot4439]

I like the series the best. It's more child friendly than the movie version that they have claimed

[@nikelodeon6852]

That's why it sucks.. the original wasn't meant to be a child friendly film.. neither was the book

[@MrSv46]

1978: a real film adaptation of Adams' book. The dark tones, the spiral easter egg and the clarity of the plot make the film very good. The characters are drawn well - they are very cute, and go through many deadly adventures. There's a lot of blood, but it's on point. I love the movie. 1999-2001: I don't understand. Why was it necessary to follow the plot for the first 8 episodes (I’ll keep silent about skipping half the journey to the hill), and then shoot a complete gag for 2 seasons?! Faiva constantly fell into a trance, it was simply infuriating. Kihar generally became a tame dog, constantly running around with rabbits. The fight went like this: they talked and talked and touched each other a little. Well, is this a fight??? Bigwig, when he got caught in the snare, screamed and screamed and that was it. Director!!! Have you read the book?! ,, Under the mask of blood, vomit and earth, Bigwig looked like a rabbit demon.,,.

[@MrSv46]

Well, I got carried away with the series. I recently found out about season 3. It seems that while Season 3 was being made, the director rewatched the first 2 and realized that they were very childish. The fighting tactics remained the same, but “beating with the hind legs” was added. Inle was alarming. Dark Harbor too. The characters have changed externally and internally. What magic did to the Basilisk is truly sad. That is, I realized that the coolest is season 3. The first one is more or less, the second one is bad. I still recommend the 1978 film :)

[@chrisdavenport2019]

1978 owned. The other is garbage

[@hjames78]

Lol they look like thumper in the 90s one

[@mksdiva]

The new version on netflix is a mini series but is amazing like the original in my opinionthe cgi rendering of the fur is so realistic. They go into more character development and it was so into it

[@ericcartman3834]

The 1970s version is best it's more grown up and not pc

[@qi6303]

It is rated pg bro.

[@misscatlover8036]

I completely agree! The 1999 looks kinda ugly..

[@trogg3rdmmxplaya467]

@@misscatlover8036 kinda?

[@lucariothehorrorguy5641]

​@@misscatlover8036 it's meant to appeal for Children. That's why the art style is like that. But i prefer 78 tbh

[@jamsee1]

The animated series was so bad in comparison with the masterpiece of the 1978 original... as it shows here! Think the CGI effort will be miles better than that awful cartoon kiddies series from the late 90s/early noughties... the original movie will always be the best. It's ashame they won't do it in stop motion rather than CGI as reckon, it would look a good adaption to the dark story telling of Watership Down. Looking forward to the CGI effort as the voice cast seem good, looks good from the trailer :)

[@flakbus3790]

You sir have earned my respect.

[@jamsee1]

@@flakbus3790 Aww, cheers bud 👍 Merry Christmas to you.

[@johnny2x47]

Honestly the cartoon wasn't that bad in comparison to the 78 movie in which the tone of the movie is different but the characters remaind the same , although some have more development and some aspects are changed in the show Woundwort survies at the battle of the hills,Campion is touched by the black rabbit to walk again,Darkhaven Woundwort birth place and so on

[@jamsee1]

@@johnny2x47 I'm sorry but i disagree with you as the cartoon had childish voices and the animation was designed more at kids, very poor to the original film. The 1978 film can be watched over and over again even (even as an adult), kids who may of been terrified when first watching it, change years later to appreciate it more as an adult. The CGI effort was actually better than that late 90's TV series as it wasn't a tone down kids show! You're entitled to your opinion but we're going to have to differ on our views.

[@johnny2x47]

@@jamsee1 You have to remember it's a kid show the televised in the early 2000s it was kind of gamble to insert dark elements such as totalitarianism,colts ,and death,Yes yes I know other shows of this genre have tried the same thing ,and yes others have succeeded while others have failed but WSD is kinda hard to do so when the network is the one in charge of kids want and Don't want to see

[@hamsnub]

I really prefer the art style and character design of the second version, bigwig has a more intimidating mane of fur rather than a silly little tuft

[@ddespair]

It’s interesting that even cartoons have movie lighting and tv lighting!

[@clifftonicstudios7469]

The other looks too Disney does not even look like the UK.

[@stimpsonj.cat2981]

How was he able to find the 1999 version in perfect definition?

[@misscatlover8036]

Good question...

[@stimpsonj.cat2981]

Tell me why

[@jasmineshell1049]

Now you half to add in the bbc live action remake that came out today

[@MattSkuta]

I'm in the middle of editing it at this very moment.

[@jasmineshell1049]

@@MattSkuta lol awsome

[@jordanpeterson5038]

So there was a more child friendly remake I see. No surprise, the original was good but it had it's moments of a dark atmosphere

[@user-sw3pc3xy9q]

1978: for adults 1999-2001: for adolescent and kids i think :)

[@user-wk6tp1og3l]

1999 seems like im watching a anime

[@fawnflying4215]

I saw only the version of '70s and I still prefer this.

[@Jacobcoleyray]

Hopefully in the new version it might show what happens to Woundwort

[@LpsRoseGold]

Unfortunately they didn't. At least they didn't change the fate of him.

[@TheFoxPrince1]

What episode was the part where it is the prologue?

[@marvelfanatic9535]

I love the tv series better though regardless the inaccuracies

[@MinisterofTinyHeads]

I liked the series but it's got nothing on the original.

[@mercedesbolivarpicas1138]

GUALA QUE FUERTE

[@marvelfanatic9535]

And you picked the right soundtrack although I love the soundtrack in the animated series

[@ariellunamorales1799]

1978❤️

[@velvet1371]

The 1999-2000 one is horrible because it carries very little of the actual story and actually makes up plot points that weren't in the original.

[@DarthABBA]

Still crazy how the kids show is more faithful to the book then the Netflix series

[@cloudstrife4293]

but i enjoyed 1999-2001

[@neptunearchives642]

Me too because it's goreless

[@neptunearchives642]

1978 Is traumatizing

[@lucariothehorrorguy5641]

​@@neptunearchives642 78 is better but 99 is better if you arent a fan of gore

[@deerwind]

the 1999-2001 one were absolute cowards. no blood? no deaths? excuse me?

[@vivifoxproductions8571]

Well, it *is* a series meant for kids, sooo... pretty much yeah

[@Evilriku13]

There were deaths tho. There was blood tho. It wasn't gory tho, and some politcal parts were toned down in favor of more characterization, heck I like Woundwort way more in the 90s/2000s version then in any of the other two.

[@martadossantos8673]

Os carnívoros são todos iguais

[@GenerallyJewels]

No one gonna talk about the EVEN NEWER one?

[@Rorosaeed691]

will watership down come back?

[@Happy24689]

what about the 2018 version

[@bcachaco]

1:54 who's that? i remember Pipkin and Fiver being attacked by and eagle in the book, but none of them dies

[@MrSv46]

About the book: it’s not true, Pipkin and Fiver were attacked by a crow. And this is Campian. The director came up with a gag: an eagle attacked the distant Patrol and grabbed the captain, but dropped him. He was abandoned and was saved by Hazel.

[@superstarhailey]

Okay

[@nightmelody777hiatus2]

1999 is the child version to me.. not the original xD

[@Rorosaeed691]

Hello?

[@user-qs6tl3bt8r]

I prefer 78 years

[@srcaos3669]

La del 78 es superior en todo jajaja

[@RATSKETCHES]

Music

[@clifftonicstudios7469]

Cant bea the original.Jut lke ghostbusters that was crap too and ive not even seen the remake the trailer was enough to put me off for life.

[@Synthematix]

Please stop destroying old classics.

[@maxiimem86]

1999 one is more childish

[@wolf_of_maned]

1:59 WHY COWSLIP WHY In all seriousness, the 1999 one was garbage

[@BlasterLadyYT]

My first scary movie 🤣and i was 8 years old hahahah

[@LambLiesDownOnBroadway]

Lot's of 1978 wank. Honestly, they're both great in their own ways. At least the 1999-2001 show is not in fucking CGI and has way more stuff than in the 1978 film... Cowslip was also far creepier in the 1999-2001 show and Woundwort is voiced by John Hurt in some episodes, come one! :D

[@sweetdragntoons]

Long story short the original was made for badass and the new version made for cry babies.

[@Evilriku13]

sure keep telling you that when you haven't watched or read a full comparison list to what the 90s/2000s version does offer in return like great characterization for basically all the characters and exploring more about Woundswort past, making him a tragic antagonist and somesuch because the darker themes are still there. Also for me, I'm happy to not have that much gore around in the TV series, even if it is "less realistic" that way.

[@lajurasicueva5399]

BBC/Netflix is better.

[@israelandrade3227]

The comparison is insulting

[@acorn2825]

I don't like 1978 or 1999,I like 2018