MovieChat Forums > Watership Down (1978) Discussion > Most depressing animated film ever

Most depressing animated film ever

posted 14 years ago by y_gab
88 replies | jump to latest

This was honestly a truely a violent and miserable film. I clearly cannot recall seeing anything remotely as dark and sad for an animated movie. Mind you that I grew up at a time when movies were not subject to the same form of political correctness known today. While I now understand the obvious allusions to facism, this not something I would ever show to a child. Hell I know even a few adults who cannot sit through this movie. Anyone else agree?

GMG Man

[–] ThiefOfStars 13 years ago

I would say that The Plague Dogs (1982) and/or Felidae (1994) is as depressing (if not more so) than Watership Down.

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[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 13 years ago

It wasnt miserable or depressing at all. It is what it is, a nearly honest portrayal of how life in the wild could possibly be for a warren of rabbits attempting to find another place to live and survive. Not everything animated is intended to be saccrine Disney garbage.

The ending was also beautiful. Hazel, now an old and wise rabbit having done his part to secure the survival of his people was then allowed to rest in peace while life goes on as it does.

"You win some, you lose some. But you live, you live to fight another day."

[–] Symarip 12 years ago

Weird how so many fools feel the need to trash Disney. Pretty pathetic.

I'm the grim reaper, lardass, and you're my next customer.

[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 12 years ago

I guess one person's trash is indeed another one's treasure. Enjoy your treasured trash then.

"Lemme at 'em! I'll splat 'em!"

[–] Symarip 12 years ago

You mean ''trash'' like The Lion King, with an 8.2 rating on RottenTomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 8.4 on IMDb?

I'm the grim reaper, lardass, and you're my next customer.

[–] XtululuahX 12 years ago

I think (if I may join in the debate) that The Lion King was a massive turning point for Disney as in it was the first time we saw a good character's death on the screen meaning it was a shade darker than most of what Disney put out (and they didn't bring Mufasa back the way they did with others). Obviously that movie is not trash but you have to admit there is a sugary coating with a lot of Disney films, like they wimp out of showing the hard truth about situations, like The Black Cauldron where they poorly wrote a character back to life for the sake of it when it would have been much more poignant to leave him dead.

"Who is Josh Groban? Kill yourself!"- Sandy.

[–] Symarip 12 years ago

Of course, I do agree with that. But they are still children's movies after all (or should be kid friendly, anyway). And Watership Down is not. I know many people (mostly Americans, as they don't do adult animated movies over there) seem to think it is just because it's animated, but they couldn't be more wrong. There are lots of European and Asian movies not suitable for children at all.

I'm the grim reaper, lardass, and you're my next customer.

[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 11 years ago

"You mean ''trash'' like The Lion King, with an 8.2 rating on RottenTomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 8.4 on IMDb?"

I don't dig Di$ney like everybody else...so what? Posting high ratings from other people isnt gonna change my opinion either...in fact it tells me clearly you can't think for yourself.

'When there's no more room in Hollywood, remakes shall walk the Earth.'

[–] Symarip 11 years ago

It tells me I know a good movie when I see one. You don't have to like the movie, but it's clearly not trash.

If you've heard of it, it's already too mainstream for me.

[–] Thomasuwoo 13 years ago

At least there was some happiness to be gleamed from "Watership Down". Go watch "The Plauge Dogs" and tell me this is the most depressing, miserable film ever.

[–] wolfsnaps888 13 years ago

Spoiler alert (thought I should say that)

Plague Dogs will rip out your heart, pour acid on it, and squash it.

This movie has a happy ending where the rabbits get what they want and live out their lives. Everybody dies. Hazel died happy :)

[–] yeahsee-1 13 years ago

The book wasn't written for children, it's not a children's book. The movie shouldn't really be one either. It may be depressing, and it's certainly not the best translation of book to film by a long shot, but don't assume it's for children just because it's animated.

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[–] or_HE_said 12 years ago

No, I thought Plague Dogs was much worse (But that could be because I have a soft spot for dogs). While this movie can be haunting, sad and downright frightening, I think the realism of it is what makes it beautiful. I would feel comfortable showing this to a child of about 7 or 8, but I think they would need some preparation - maybe an explanation of how animals really are in their natural habitat.

[–] coney_island_baby 12 years ago

My dad taped this off the telly for my brother and me when we were very small--about four or five. As i recall it was on the same VHS as animal farm, so it was a pretty gloomy double bill!

But we loved them both, and watched them both hundreds of times throughout our childhood. It is dark and disturbing (I hated the scene with the rabbit corpses choking up the warrens), but children actually respond pretty well to dark themes--why do you think Roald Dahl is so popular? We found them fascinating, and i'd happily let my own children have the same experience one day.

[–] kduffy-8 12 years ago

I just had a great visual of you sitting in front of the TV for this double feature. Animal Farm and Watership Down in one sitting will give you a jolt of reality and a lot to ponder.
Mostly I remember being frightened the first time I saw it, but I was rather young and many of the themes went straight over my head.
Now I love it.

[–] Asbo 12 years ago

Try When the Wind Blows or Grave of the Fireflies