72: Watership Down (1978)

Section 13: Efrafa

Scripted by Newell Fisher and John Ruths

72.2(1) Watership Down (1978)

Section 13: Efrafa

This section covers from 38 minutes 40 to 40 minutes 30 and the equivalent chapters from the book are Chapters 21 and 27.

After Fiver has made his statement about how humans will never rest until they have spoiled the Earth, we learn the little Holly tells us about his journey to WD.

He says he was trying to find them. That he wandered for days. He says that the "Efrafans" wouldn't let him go. That they ripped his ear.

In the book, Holly's ear is ripped as he escapes from the enraged rabbits of the Warren of the Snares. Fortunately they are not very good fighters, so he is able to get away.

Holly, who has been getting more animated, repeats that he tried to find them, as he collapses again.

Bigwig repeats that word: Efrafans. He wonders what Holly is talking about and presses him for more. But Hazel says to let him rest. He can tell them more later.

We see a closer shot of the traumatised Holly, his breathing distressed and heavy.

He goes out of focus, as an eerie musical theme plays.

We cross-fade and come into focus again, to see a dark and gloomy grey burrow.

Several rabbits sit looking at a frightened rabbit between two others.

In the next shot an angry looking rabbit glares at a crowded burrow full of rabbits, all quiet and docile. Spaced through the burrow are other equally angry looking rabbits, looking about them at the docile bunched together rabbits, daring them to step out of line.

Then we see three holes underground. In front of each is a rabbit on guard. As three more rabbits arrive, one at each hole in turn, all 6 go up their assigned runs.

All of the rabbits we have seen in this place had dark fur and blue eyes, with a kind of shadow under them.

And then, as this scene fades, we hear a male voice. He states that a young doe has a request.

An incredulous second male voice, deeper and more gravelly, says "A doe wants to see me?"

The first voice says she says she represents a group.

There is a pause.

The second voice says "Your name?"

A female voice says "Hyzenthlay Sir"

There is a pause.

The second voice tells Hyzenthlay to be Frank and that she is safe here...followed by the slightest laugh.

Then the shot fades to black as the second voice says, harshly, "Get on with it!"

Hyzenthlay hesitantly explains that several rabbits propose an expedition to start a new warren.

Hyzenthlay's suggestion about a new warren is instantly, and strongly rejected.

She persists, saying that the system is breaking down. The voice demands an explanation.

Her blue eyes can now be seen in the half light.

She explains that some Does can no longer produce litters. The warren is overcrowded.

No sooner is an explanation demanded than she is shut down again. The voice says there will be no further discussion about it.

She says they will go as far away as he likes.

He repeats that what he said about no further discussion applies to where they are as well as well as anywhere else.

Hyzenthlay starts to protest.

A large rabbit appears to her right, looks briefly in the direction of the second voice, then glares at her, slightly opening his mouth to show his teeth. He, too, is in silhouette with those deep blue eyes.

Hyzenthlay pauses....then just says "thank you Sir" before leaving quickly.

The other rabbit moves threateningly towards her as she goes, glaring after her. Then looks into camera again as we hear the voice say "Campion".

We can assume this was who the first voice belonged to.

And then we see...the eye in close up.

This is, of course, the damaged left eye of General Woundwort, though he has yet to be named.

The white eye narrows as he adds "Have her watched"

It goes out of focus as we cross fade to Holly, eyes closed. Breathing heavily. Still utterly traumatised.

And we fade to black.