Watership Down
Based upon Richard Adam's novel of the same title, this animated feature delves into the surprisingly violent world of a warren of rabbits as they seek to establish a new colony free of tyranny and human intervention.
Despite its small-scale budget of $1.0M, Watership Down became a commercial success, earning $3.7M worldwide—a 271% return. The film's bold vision engaged audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 win & 4 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Watership Down (1978) reveals carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Martin Rosen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes After the creation myth prologue, Hazel and Fiver graze peacefully in a meadow at Sandleford Warren, embodying the ordinary rabbit existence before disruption.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The Chief Rabbit dismisses Fiver's warning about the warren's destruction. Hazel makes the fateful decision that they must leave Sandleford, gathering a small band of rabbits willing to flee into the unknown.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The rabbits reach the high ground of Watership Down and commit to making this their new home, actively choosing to build a new warren rather than continue wandering as refugees., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Holly and Bluebell return with the horrifying account of Sandleford's destruction - rabbits gassed and bulldozed. This false defeat confirms the stakes and the necessity of their mission, while revealing that Efrafa under General Woundwort represents a new form of tyranny they must confront., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, General Woundwort and his Efrafan army arrive at Watership Down, laying siege to the warren. The rabbits are trapped underground with no escape, facing certain death. Woundwort tears through their defenses, and Bigwig is gravely wounded defending the entrance., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hazel has a revelation from Fiver's vision and remembers the dog at Nuthanger Farm. He races to the farm with Blackberry and Dandelion to release the dog, synthesizing his leadership with desperate innovation - using a predator as an unlikely weapon against Woundwort., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Watership Down's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Watership Down against these established plot points, we can identify how Martin Rosen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Watership Down within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
After the creation myth prologue, Hazel and Fiver graze peacefully in a meadow at Sandleford Warren, embodying the ordinary rabbit existence before disruption.
Theme
Fiver experiences his terrifying vision of the field covered in blood, declaring "The field! It's covered with blood!" - establishing the theme that survival requires heeding warnings and having courage to leave safety behind.
Worldbuilding
The rabbit society of Sandleford is established: hierarchy under the Chief Rabbit, Fiver's psychic abilities, Bigwig's strength as an Owsla officer, and the human threat signified by the notice board announcing development.
Disruption
The Chief Rabbit dismisses Fiver's warning about the warren's destruction. Hazel makes the fateful decision that they must leave Sandleford, gathering a small band of rabbits willing to flee into the unknown.
Resistance
The band of rabbits flees through dangerous territory, debating whether to trust Fiver's visions. They encounter predators, cross the Enborne River with great difficulty, and Captain Holly arrives wounded with news that Sandleford has been destroyed.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The rabbits reach the high ground of Watership Down and commit to making this their new home, actively choosing to build a new warren rather than continue wandering as refugees.
Mirror World
The rabbits discover and befriend Kehaar, an injured black-headed gull. This unlikely alliance introduces the subplot of finding does to ensure the warren's survival, and Kehaar becomes crucial to their reconnaissance of Efrafa.
Premise
The rabbits build their warren and explore their new world. They visit Cowslip's sinister warren where rabbits accept death from snares in exchange for easy food - a false paradise. Bigwig nearly dies in a snare. Kehaar scouts and discovers Efrafa, a totalitarian warren with many does.
Midpoint
Holly and Bluebell return with the horrifying account of Sandleford's destruction - rabbits gassed and bulldozed. This false defeat confirms the stakes and the necessity of their mission, while revealing that Efrafa under General Woundwort represents a new form of tyranny they must confront.
Opposition
Bigwig infiltrates Efrafa and witnesses Woundwort's brutal regime. He secretly recruits does willing to escape, including Hyzenthlay. The escape plan is set during a thunderstorm, but Woundwort discovers the betrayal and pursues them relentlessly across the countryside.
Collapse
General Woundwort and his Efrafan army arrive at Watership Down, laying siege to the warren. The rabbits are trapped underground with no escape, facing certain death. Woundwort tears through their defenses, and Bigwig is gravely wounded defending the entrance.
Crisis
With Bigwig bleeding and barely able to fight, the warren faces extinction. Fiver falls into a trance-like state. The situation seems hopeless as Woundwort prepares the final assault, declaring he'll kill every rabbit in the warren.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hazel has a revelation from Fiver's vision and remembers the dog at Nuthanger Farm. He races to the farm with Blackberry and Dandelion to release the dog, synthesizing his leadership with desperate innovation - using a predator as an unlikely weapon against Woundwort.
Synthesis
Hazel gnaws through the rope and releases the farm dog, which chases him back to Watership Down. The dog attacks the Efrafan army, scattering them in terror. Woundwort alone stands to fight the dog and is never seen again. The warren is saved, and the does from Efrafa join the community.
Transformation
Years later, an aged Hazel rests as his thriving warren surrounds him with children and grandchildren. The Black Rabbit of Inlé appears and gently invites Hazel to join his Owsla. Hazel's spirit leaves his body and runs freely across the down - death as peaceful release, the warren's future secured.