Question for Everyone

[Hyzenthlay69]

As you know I'm a fan of the original 1978 WSD movie, but I'm now getting curious about the series, and whether or not it would be enjoyable to a diehard WSD movie fan.  I'd really appreciate your thoughts as to what you think of the series, is it worth watching, and what did you like or dislike about it?

[Lord of the Lough]

The WD TV series is a lot less serious than the movie, as it was made for children. I still like it a lot and most members (if not all) have watched and enjoyed it. The TV series is also a lot funnier than the movie; note Hawkbit for his hilarious sarcasm. I would recommend trying out the first few episodes (you can get them off youtube) and see what you think. ;D

[Hyzenthlay69]

Sure, why not? I'm game to try a few episodes. I would probably find myself doing the wrong thing though and inevitably comparing the characters to the movie version.

[Darkling Nocturnal]

The tv-series is more focused on children than the movie. It took the right to include some freedoms. Let's say, that the first two seasons follow the original story relative close. The third season is something like a sequel and has nothing to do with the books.

The second season also ventured to do some bigger story changes, that I don't want to spoil here.

Because I'm a huge fan of the series- I created a little fan-site, called HighLonelyHills.com - just have a look and I think, you find everything you want to know about the tv-series

But be aware: A look in the episode guide may reveal some interesting twists. So be careful while reading it. I think, the page About Watership Down could give you a good overview about the series.

Edit: IMPORTANT: don't be putted off by the first episodes. Trust me, it's really worth watching the whole series, because season 3 is the best of them all! But for understanding, you need the first two seasons also, of course.

Edit: Oh, and what I forget the say: The second season has some fillers. When you look at my site, I've rated some episodes with 1/4 points. Simply, because I created that overview of grades. Don't worry. Even the worst episodes (keyword sheeps & visitors) are really viewable and worth watching! 1/4 on my site means 8,5/10 on a normal ranking system (at least on the episode guide)

[Hyzenthlay69]

Well it sounds like it is worth checking out and I will look for a few on Youtube. Of course you realize if I become a fan of the series I will have to start collecting memorabilia from it. :P

[Darkling Nocturnal]

Then you may have more luck than I! It's not so easy to find merchandise in Germany (and not everyone from foreign countries send to Germany. And if, there are always high shipping costs.

[Acacia Heartstrings]

I remember very well that I saw the first episode of the series and was just the latest episode of season 2, when Vervain founds Watership Down. From there and seemed epic and great!
If you are a true fan of Watership Down and want to see more of the series, it is highly recommended.
I myself read the book five times. L O L
It is that I love it!

[Hyzenthlay69]

Then you may have more luck than I! It's not so easy to find merchandise in Germany (and not everyone from foreign countries send to Germany. And if, there are always high shipping costs.

I used to actually have the complete collection of all the Watership Down series plushies from the larger ones to the small ones and the Pizza Hut promotional toys, as well as a WSD series version of Fiver bank and a clock. I got them all off UK EBAY...but I had to convince a few of them to send it to the USA where I live because they did not want to ship so far. I ended selling those to a friend though. It is very hard now I noticed to get all the plushies and some of the WSD series things and I am sorry I sold them but that was way back in 2004!

[Hawkbit]

Just to keep things simple:

The series is hit or miss.  If you can accept the fact it has been watered down, then you won't find the episodes so bad.  If you cannot accept anything less than what Richard Adams gave us in the story, then keep far away.

Season 1 - mostly sticks to the book, again watered down and not as violent, so you need to look past all the descriptions of blood and gore as they aren't going to be found here

Season 2 - mostly filler, be sure to check highlonelyhills.com and figure out which episodes move the plot along, so you don't waste your time with one of the clunkers (there's about four that you can skip)

Season 3 - nothing to do with the books, and IMO, this makes it one of the best because you have nothing to compare it to.  On its own, it brings in the back story of Woundwort and what essentially happens once he is defeated from the book...it basically picks up the story from that point.

[Foxbrow]

The series is hit or miss.  If you can accept the fact it has been watered down, then you won't find the episodes so bad.  If you cannot accept anything less than what Richard Adams gave us in the story, then keep far away.

Am I the only one, who finds the phrase "watering down the Watership Down"gorgeous?

Anyway to the original topic: I've found a way how to look at the series so that they completely fit to my idea of Watership Down universum.

In the book, at its very end, is a short scene, where Vilsuril tells the story to her kittens about the rabbits from the Sandleford Warren and their journey to Watership Down. But in fact she's telling them a slightly different story abour El.ahrairah and Rabscuttle leading their rabbits to a new home.

So for me the series are more like a story told by someone, who only heard that story some time before and wants to share the best of it even at the price of loosing the accuracy to the original story.
Well, maybe a bit strange explanation, but in my case I'd also blame the local translation of the series over here, which renamed every single character (which made it extra hard for me to recognize the minor characters before watching more episodes with them.)

[Hyzenthlay69]

I appreciate all this input, and I'm going to go and check this out very soon. I'll be laid up with some surgery and I'll have lots of free time, so what better time than to check out the series

[Darkling Nocturnal]

So for me the series are more like a story told by someone, who only heard that story some time before and wants to share the best of it even at the price of loosing the accuracy to the original story.

Now that's a very interesting point in seeing a series that's different to the novel (that doesn't go only for WSD, but also for things like Silverwing). Maybe, it makes the third Lord of the Rings movie more watchable for me.

Well, maybe a bit strange explanation, but in my case I'd also blame the local translation of the series over here, which renamed every single character (which made it extra hard for me to recognize the minor characters before watching more episodes with them.)

Wow, really?   IIRC, in Germany, they kept the original names (like they did in the movie and the books).

Therefor, we have the name problem with "Animals of Farthing Wood"

Season 2 - mostly filler, be sure to check highlonelyhills.com and figure out which episodes move the plot along, so you don't waste your time with one of the clunkers (there's about four that you can skip)

For such a reason, you would find the ratings already on the episode overview. So you won't spoil any story elements by mistake

And I said it in another topic already: Compared to other series, I would even rate the worst episodes of the series with 8,5/10 (yes, I'm a HUGE fan of the series, you see ). The main problem with the fillers IMO is, that most of them are placed at the end of season 2   - right for a really well-made temporary finale, that's really dignified for Watership Down.

[Hawkbit]

I'm not a rabid fan, so the bad episodes get 1's out of 10 like they deserve.

[Darkling Nocturnal]

I'm not a rabid fan,

He said Jehova