Watership Down (1978)

[Akijama]

http://www.criterion.com/films/28620-watership-down

New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray
New interview with director Martin Rosen
New appreciation of the film by director Guillermo del Toro
Picture-in-picture storyboard for the entire film (Blu-ray); four film-to-storyboard scene comparisons (DVD)
Defining a Style, a 2008 featurette about the film’s aesthetic
Trailer
PLUS: An essay by comic book writer Gerard Jones

With this passion project, screenwriter-producer-director Martin Rosen brilliantly achieved what was thought difficult, if not impossible: a faithful big-screen adaptation of Richard Adams’s classic British dystopian novel about a community of rabbits seeking safety and happiness after their warren comes under terrible threat. With its naturalistic hand-drawn animation, dreamily expressionistic touches, gorgeously bucolic background design, and elegant voice work from such superb English actors as John Hurt, Ralph Richardson, Richard Briers, and Denholm Elliott, Watership Down is an emotionally arresting, dark-toned allegory about freedom amid political turmoil.

WatershipDown trailer - YouTube

[Scottie]

With this passion project, screenwriter-producer-director Martin Rosen brilliantly achieved what was thought difficult, if not impossible: a faithful big-screen adaptation of Richard Adams’s classic British dystopian novel about a community of rabbits seeking safety and happiness after their warren comes under terrible threat. With its naturalistic hand-drawn animation, dreamily expressionistic touches, gorgeously bucolic background design, and elegant voice work from such superb English actors as John Hurt, Ralph Richardson, Richard Briers, and Denholm Elliott, Watership Down is an emotionally arresting, dark-toned allegory about freedom amid political turmoil.

Disc Features
New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray
New interview with director Martin Rosen
New appreciation of the film by director Guillermo del Toro
Picture-in-picture storyboard for the entire film (Blu-ray); four film-to-storyboard scene comparisons (DVD)
Defining a Style, a 2008 featurette about the film’s aesthetic
Trailer
PLUS: An essay by comic book writer Gerard Jones

[Catastrophe]

Yesssssss

[ejm69]

FINALLY!

[BwayJ]

A very interesting development.

Perhaps animated titles are becoming a February tradition for them?

[Nailwraps]

I predicted this!

[Thomas Guycott]

Wow, Criterion's first real animated film since Akira back in the LaserDisc era.

I really hope this leads to some sort of trend.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

Wow, Criterion's first real animated film since Akira back in the LaserDisc era.

I really hope this leads to some sort of trend.

Same here. This is excellent news!

[jgagzy]

Isn't this a WB title? Or have the rights changed?

[RebelPrince1986]

great news, really looking forward to picking this up

[that1guystudios]

If Criterion is doing animated titles, let's get the work print for Richard Williams' The Thief And the Cobbler that awesome treatment!

[Catastrophe]

Hopefully Criterion can pull the right strings and get the uncut The Plague Dogs at some point too.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Catastrophe

Hopefully Criterion can pull the right strings and get the uncut The Plague Dogs at some point too.

Would LOVE to see that.

[Flex Mentallo]

Great news. Sadly, they don't make 'em like this anymore.

Definite must own.

[Akijama]

Originally Posted by jgagzy

Isn't this a WB title? Or have the rights changed?

WB had licensed this film from the director, as soon as their license expired, the rights reverted back to him.

[dressedtokill]

As much as I like this movie, I kind of prefer The plague dogs. I'm happy they decided to go with the lovely original poster. Too bad they couldn't include the commentary from the australian release and the ones from the WB special edition.

[Majin Blu]

Day 1 definitely

I'll give the WB DVD to my dad.

[cash_black]

I already have Watership Down on blu ray but hopefully this means that Criterion might get The Plague Dogs aswell. Wonder if its the same source material as the current blu ray.. reviwed below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYNZ9kQf72g

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by cash_black

Wonder if its the same source material as the current blu ray.. reviwed below.

god i hope not

[Travis]

Got the German release. Guess, I'll give it away soon.