Watership Down Musical Plot! π
Due to time constraints, the plot was heavily simplified from the bookβs.
A vision is shown through red light in darkness; stamping rabbits describe a red field of blood.
In the present, in a warren near Sandleford, a rabbit seer named Fiver yells for his older brother Hazel and describes the vision he just saw. Even though they both see a big construction sign (meaningless to them), describing their warrenβs destruction, Hazel dismisses him at first. But, with reluctance, is soon convinced to be taken to their chief rabbit, Threarah. At the entrance, they meet Bigwig, a member of the Owsla, who lets them in. The very elderly Threarah, earnestly but detachedly hears Hazel and Fiver. The chief, not convinced by the urgency of Fiverβs vision, sends him (and Hazel) home to rest.
The two brothers head out and are soon approached by Blackberry and Dandelion, who over heard Fiverβs talk and ask to join them. Bigwig then appears through the brambles and states heβs left the Owsla and wants to join them as well.
The group, along with rabbits named Silver and Pipkin, leave the warren. But, they are soon stopped by Captain Holly, the head of the warrenβs owsla police force who tries to prevent them to leave. Bigwig fights Holly and the group manages to escape.
As they run away, they avoid a Hrududu and a lendri. Exhausted, they come across a river. Worried about how to get everyone across and a dog behind them, Blackberry finds a floating piece of board to push the weakest rabbits across.
Now on the other side, cold and wet they go to a field with tall plants where they begin to doubt their journey. Seeing this, Hazel suggests that Dandelion tells them a story. In song, Dandelion tells how the world was created by the god Lord Frith. All animals were grass eaters, living harmoniously. The rabbits multiplied, and their appetite led to a food shortage. Frith ordered the rabbit prince, El-ahrairah, to control his people, but was scoffed at. In retaliation, Frith gave special gifts to every animal, making some into predators to control the rabbits. Satisfied that El-ahrairah has learned his lesson, Frith gives rabbits the gifts of speed and cunning. During the story, Hazelβs group of rabbits dance around and sing along; reenacting the story.
After, in the morning, Fiver goes off and seeβs the hills that they must go to. Heading south towards them, the others eventually meet an aristocratic rabbit named Cowslip, who invites them to his warren, where a farmer leaves Cowslip's group ample vegetables. They are grateful, and Cowslip invites his guests to tell a story. When Dandelion suggests they tell a one of El-ahrairah, Cowslipβs rabbits laugh and scoffs at it, preferring instead a poem from one of their rabbits. He brings forth Silverweed, who then recites an ominous poem. Disturbed by it, Fiver experiences another vision; one where the roof is made of bones, and leaves. Bigwig follows, berating Fiver for causing tension, when a snare catches Bigwig. Bigwig's friends manage to free him, but he does not move. Feeling Bigwig has died, they sing a ballad about his passing, and plan to seek revenge on Cowslip for not helping. But, they soon realize that the farmer is protecting and feeding Cowslip's warren so that he can snare rabbits for his own meals, and conclude there is no good in going back. Suddenly, Bigwig awakens, and the group returns to its journey.
The rabbits discover Nuthanger Farm, which contains a dangerous cat and a tied up dog. Ultimately, deciding to stay away from it as much as possible.
Finally, they reach the very steep hill that fiver envisioned, and climb it. Making it to the top, they sing and celebrate. But, just as they are relaxing in their new home, Captain Holly finds them and recounts the destruction of Sandleford by humans in song.
Days pass, and while Bigwig is at silflay, he spots a large aggressive, but injured bird. They feed and befriend it, learning its name is Kehaar. Feeling better, Kehaar offers to survey the land in which the rabbits came from for them. He describes the farm, iron road and a large town of rabbits.
A small group of βambassadorβ rabbits from Watership Down decide to set out and greet this new warren. Hazel and Fiver stay behind and develop their new warren.
One day, Captain Holly and the other ambassadors return from the expedition and describe the vicious totalitarian warren called "Efrafa". Which is under direction of General Woundwort.
Hazel immediately decides they must go back and free the trapped rabbits in Efrafa. Everyone except Captain Holly go on this mission.
When the group arrives, they see Woundwortsβ military way of life. Aside, Woundwort describes how he came to power, from watching his mother being killed by a weasel to taking over a nearby warren and earning their respect through fear.
Bigwig infiltrates the warren and is made an Owsla officer. He recruits several potential escapees to his cause. As a storm rolls in, he brings his mark out to silflay, which grows suspicion from another officer due to its early timing. He attacks him and the group escapes.
As Woundwort and his officers follow them to the river, the efrafans are attacked by Kehaar. The escapees get on a boat and float down the river. That night, Kehaar leaves for his homeland with the gratitude of the warren.
Efrafan trackers eventually find Watership Down. Woundwort rejects Hazel's offer of peace and demands that all deserters must be turned over or the members Watership Down will be wiped out. While the Watership rabbits barricade their warren, Fiver slips into a trance, in which he envisions a dog loose in the woods. His mumbles inspire Hazel to try and release the farm dog and lead it to the Efrafans.
When the Efrafans arrive at the Warren, Woundwort engages in a fight with Bigwig. Only to be interrupted by Fiver who apologizes for his death.
Meanwhile, at the farm, Hazel bites the rope holding the dog and releases it, which starts attacking the Efrafan soldiers, Woundwort abandons Bigwig and fearlessly confronts the dog, which swallows him. Still, no trace of Woundwort is ever found which leaves his fate a mystery.
After the battle, they praise Bigwig for his bravery and celebrate Hazel-rah as chief rabbit. Time goes by, and Watership Down flourishes.
Several years later, an elderly Hazel is visited by the El-ahrairah, who invites him to join his own Owsla, assuring him of Watership Down's perpetual safety. Reassured, Hazel accepts and dies peacefully. His spirit follows El-ahrairah through the woodland and trees, where the primroses where beginning to bloom. Frith's advice to El-ahrairah is heard once more.
