Watership Down 4K UHD (1978) (UK)

[MifuneFan]

It's actually happening this time! BFI will be releasing Watership Down on 4K on November 11th!

BFI - Amazon UK - HMV -Zavvi - Rarewaves

Diabolik DVD - Orbit DVD

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Newly recorded audio commentary by film and animation experts Catherine Lester and Sam Summers
• Vintage audio commentary by director Martin Rosen and writer and filmmaker Chris Gore (2003)
• Defining a Style (2005): short featurette about the film’s aesthetic
• A Conversation with the Filmmakers (2005, 17 mins): Archive featurette in which director Martin Rosen and editor Terry Rawlings discuss the production history of the film
• Storyboard comparison (2005, 15 mins): a look at four sequences from the film
• Super 8 version of the film (20 mins)
• Humberstone Super 8 footage (3 mins): Footage shot by Arthur Humberstone, one of the senior animators on Watership Down
• Designing Watership Down (2024, 5 mins): a gallery containing some of the materials related to Watership Down courtesy of The Arthur Humberstone Animation Archive
• Trailers, teasers & TV Spots
• Once We Were Four (1942, 9 mins): a bunny quartet face an onslaught of badgers, bombs and birds of prey in this black comedy masquerading as a nature film, directed by Mary Field
• Rabbits or Profits? (1969, 15 mins): public information film providing a potted history of rabbits in the UK
• Bolly in A Space Adventure (1968, 5 mins): a short Halas & Batchelor animation about the adventures of Bolly and his friends on imaginary planets, featuring animation by Tony Guy, animation director on Watership Down
• Make Believe (1948, 17 mins): Anson Dyer tells 'The Tale of Ronnie Rabbit' in this documentary showing the various stages of making a cartoon bunny
• Newly created optional English descriptive subtitles
• Newly created audio description track for the blind and visually impaired
• Double-sided poster featuring the original UK quad and the 2024 rerelease artwork
• A set of four postcards featuring iconic scenes from the film
• Perfect-bound book featuring writing by Jez Stewart, Catherine Lester, Nigel and Clive Humberstone, Angela Morley, Charlie Brigden, Lillian Crawford, Vic Pratt, Tony Dykes and Michael Brooke

An apocalyptic vision pushes a group of rabbits to abandon their warren in search of a new home, in this landmark British animation. Richard Adams’ timeless novel is brought brilliantly to life as Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig tackle the brutal realities of the rural world - and mankind’s devastating impact on it - as they lead their colony to the utopian Watership Down. Featuring an acclaimed voice cast (including John Hurt and Denholm Elliott), a powerful score by composer Angela Morley and the hit single ‘Bright Eyes’ by Art Garfunkel, Watership Down is a thrilling tale of adventure, courage and resilience that continues to enthral new and old audiences alike. Newly restored by the BFI and Silver Salt Restoration, using the original 35mm negative and stereo audio tracks, this landmark animation is now available as a limited edition Blu-ray.

Watership Down trailer | New 4K restoration | In cinemas 25 Oct | On UHD & Blu-ray 11 Nov - YouTube

Note: I did make a thread for the original release, but due to it being cancelled, it was moved to the wishlist section.

[Kyle15]

BEST news. Oh my god.

[Geoff D]

For realsies? Sweet

[UpsetSmiley]

When I opened the rarewaves email my eyes lit up, instant pre-order.

[lazerface]

Hmmm wonder what changed, wasn’t low preorder sales the reason they initially canceled this release?

[shy86]

Here's the HMV link. £23.99 with the voucher.

[SpookyDollhouse]

Great news, that commentary should be interesting

[nicwood]

According to a member at Criterionforum, BFI are also planning to release Seven Samurai in 4K in October!

[Sithlord75]

Get in !

Now, do I sell my Criterion disc for the 3rd time.

[stigdu]

My 9yo says she rarely sees me cry.

I've not seen this film before, but from what I've heard about the film, looks like she might see me doing it around November 11th.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Sithlord75

Get in !

Now, do I sell my Criterion disc for the 3rd time.

The Criterion release does have some unique extras, so I'd personally keep both.

[Owsler]

Originally Posted by lazerface

Hmmm wonder what changed, wasn’t low preorder sales the reason they initially canceled this release?

I thought it was a rights issue? Might be wrong though. I couldn't read the explanation for the tears when they cancelled the release last time.

Only thing that could make today better is if someone announces The Wild Bunch and The Searchers on 4K.

[Kyle15]

Originally Posted by Owsler

I thought it was a rights issue? Might be wrong though. I couldn't read the explanation for the tears when they cancelled the release last time.

Only thing that could make today better is if someone announces The Wild Bunch and The Searchers on 4K.

It was over a 2020 lawsuit against the director in regards to rights to the book and intellectual property. I'm guessing it was license issue with the movie stemming from this and they finally got it untangled.

https://variety.com/2020/film/global...ms-1234622277/

[ste71]

Originally Posted by lazerface

Hmmm wonder what changed, wasn’t low preorder sales the reason they initially canceled this release?

No, think it was legal reasons.

[kong73]

I order this this last time it was going to be released and it NEVER came!!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by kong73

I order this this last time it was going to be released and it NEVER came!!

Same thing happened with my May 7th, 1937 flight I booked for the Hindenburg!

[NoFro]

[cybersoga]

happy bunny

[NmDPlm31]

The image included shows just one disc. So can we safely assume that the bonus features are on the 4K and not locked on a regional blu-ray?

[Kyle15]

Originally Posted by NmDPlm31

The image included shows just one disc. So can we safely assume that the bonus features are on the 4K and not locked on a regional blu-ray?

Yes, it's one disc.