Watership Down/Trivia

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


  • Executive Meddling: Sort of. According to Word of God, Bigwig really should have succumbed to his wounds after the fight with Woundwort, but the author's kids wouldn't stand for that.
  • Hey, It's That Voice!: Hazel, the leader of the band of rabbits escaping from Sandleford is voiced by...Chancellor Sutler?!!
  • What Could Have Been: Bigwig was supposed to die after he fought Woundwort. After the author's daughters begged him to spare him, he changed his mind.
  • Word of God: Kehaar was based on a Norwegian Resistance Fighter, and the rabbits that Hazel leads from the Saddleford warren are based on members of Richard Adams' unit in World War II, with Bigwig and Hazel in particular based on specific individuals.
  • Write Who You Know: Richard Adams based most of the main characters on his WWII buddies (Hazel was based on his wise commanding officer).