MovieChat Forums > Watership Down (1978) Discussion > I choked up when Hazel...... (spoilers)

I choked up when Hazel...... (spoilers)

posted 14 years ago by kaustin1067
21 replies | jump to latest

.....Died. I found this sadder and certainly much deeper than Bambi's mother's death, Mufasa's(The Lion King)death, and Littlefoot's Mother's death (The Land Before Time). Perhaps it's because it's the main character that is dying. Hazel's death also reminds us that regardless of what we do in our lifetimes, our fate will always be death, whether by physical trauma, disease, or the slow decay of time.

"We do not inheret the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children"

[–] garybatmanbusey 14 years ago

its easily the most upsetting animated animal death scene for me, its so sad. and the wonderful music makes it even sadder.

"she's the tear that hangs inside my soul forever."

[–] SilverShadow007 14 years ago

I always choke up too, the scene has a very strong impact. Hazel is my favourite character and it's very sad when the Black Rabbit calls for him. It's a harsh and strong reflection on life, in the end, our time must come. But it didn't end there for Hazel, he lived on. It reminds me of a particular part of the song, 'Bright Eyes'... "There's a fog along the horizon, a strange glow in the sky, and nobody ever knows where you go. And what does it mean? Oh, is it a dream?" None of us will know until the time arrives.

What did you just say? Say it again or I’ll break your other wrist! ~ Jack Bauer

[–] Manfromthehorizon 14 years ago

I'm 28 years old now and I still choke up everytime I see that scene and hearing Art Gunkle perform Bright eyes. I will never forget this film ever.

[–] craig-353 14 years ago

To the OP. You do mean when he dies at the end, rather than his assumed death at the hands of the farmer, right?

I didnt find that scene sad at all. Hazel lived to a very old age for rabbits. He saw Watership Down grow into a thriving warren. And he went willingly with the Black Rabbit to serve in its Owsla, safe in the knowledge that his descendants would carry on without him. It was a good way to go. Very triumphant ending.

[–] cwell510 14 years ago

A very triumphant but poignant ending I would like to add. Chokes me up even now watching it and listening to "Bright Eyes" does it to me every time.

[–] Naphthous 14 years ago

I couldn't agree more with you. I can't believe people are using the word "sad" to describe this.

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[–] snomeister 14 years ago

I tear up at that scene too, but tears of happiness, not sadness. I think it's beautiful because it makes you reflect on all the leadership and braveness that Hazel possessed in order to have Watership Down a safe and peaceful place for his warren.

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[–] transmentalist 14 years ago

I was more touched when Hazel offered his life for his warren.

[–] emmaclarke781 12 years ago

I know it's a animated movie about Rabbits but this movie has to be one of the most human I've ever seen.

I think it's a mirror of the human world.

The scene with Fiver on the hill when `Bright Eyes` start's playing break's my heart every time I see it. To me that scene means a desperate search for home and To find it, you go through hopelessness, fear and loss but you never give up. I love the movie's opening and closing lines:`The whole world will be your enemy and whenever they catch you, they will kill you.But first..they must catch you.` And: `They know they will never be destroyed for Frith is their friend and he is watching`.

Hazel's death is bittersweet as he has survived and found a home for his friends. But he is old and dying now. Also, I think what did they lose to find their home? I'm not sure why but I am haunted by this half-forgotten strange film. It always makes me think of the first world war. `What does it mean and where do you go? Into the dark`...

history is a battle fought by a great evil,struggling to crush a small kernel of human kindness

[–] SoneaAmnell 14 years ago

I certainly prefer the ending when El-Ahrairah calls for Hazel to be in his Owsla. I prefer the book hands down anyway. Why they changed it from El-Ahrairah to the Black Rabbit, I can't figure...it was way more meaningful for Hazel to join his owsla than the Black Rabbit's.

"You're wondering what's a place like me doing in a girl like this."

[–] mjwatts1 14 years ago

I don't know why they changed it. Maybe the Black Rabbit was more of a reference to death in the film and they didn't want to confuse the audience.

"Hey Max, it's the leaning tower of Cheesa!"

[–] jschillig 14 years ago

Maybe it was a little bit Pragmatic Adaptation, as TV Tropes would call it. The El-Ahrairah stories were cut out of the movie, except for the creation myth, by way of introduction. Whereas we, the viewing audience, had been reminded of the existence of the Black Rabbit several times during the movie (especially during the Bright Eyes sequence). If they'd had El-Ahrairah coming for Hazel in the end, even if they'd had an art shift to the opening style of art to remind us that this was El-Ahrairah's spirit, the audience would have just scratched their heads.

And it was kind of neat to have the Black Rabbit portrayed, not as fearsome and terrible as the one story in the book portrayed him, but gentle and benevolent. Nice to think that Death is gentle when he comes to an old rabbit whose time has come.

But I do kind of miss the implications that the book had. To have El-Ahrairah appear to a dying rabbit and ask him to join his personal honor guard is kind of like having King Arthur appear to a Brit on his deathbed saying, "Party in Avalon tonight. Gawain's bringing the keg. Wanna come?" How nice to know that the deeds of Hazel and his friends were worthy of recognition by no less than the rabbits' King Arthur!

[–] MyDarkStar 12 years ago

I think that's the reason. They just wanted to make sure the viewing audience understood what was going on. And actually, I think they kinda merged El-Ahrairah and the Black Rabbit into one character. When it first shows up to Hazel it looks more like a typical rabbit, and then suddenly flashes the Black Rabbit face. I think it was their way of making sure the audience understood.

Awesome ending. One of my favorite ending of all time. I've probably watched those last 5 minutes at least 20 times. It's creepy, heart-warming, and sad all in one.

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[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 12 years ago

Its a great scene, after successfully leading his brethren to a decent place to live and having survived to an advanced age, it was his ultimate gift to pass on to glory.

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

[–] MyDarkStar 12 years ago

It is seriously one of my favorite endings of all time. It's just awesome. Creepy. Heart-warming. Sad. Uplifting.

But I've never been VERY sad about it. I've always looked at it as a very positive ending. Hazel was a hero who has an even better life ahead of him.

[–] TooPrettyInPink 11 years ago

It was a moving ending for sure, but the only sad part was that he didn't get to say goodbye to Fiver before he died.

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2754) 4 months ago

I choked up in the same place although I did not in the rest of the movie. It was very touchingly done.