Viewers left unimpressed by animation in BBC’s adaption of Watership Down

The production boasts a star-studded cast.

Viewers were left unimpressed by the animation in the BBC’s adaption of Watership Down, with many comparing it to a bad video game (BBC/PA)

By Keiran Southern, Press Association Los Angeles Correspondent

Viewers were left unimpressed by the animation in the BBC’s adaption of Watership Down, with many comparing it to a bad video game.

A star-studded cast including James McAvoy, John Boyega, Nicholas Hoult, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Colman and Gemma Arterton voiced the adaption of Richard Adams’ bestselling novel about a small group of rabbits searching for a new home.

The first of two parts aired on Saturday night. Despite the stellar line-up of talent, those tuning in were disappointed by the quality of the CGI animation, with many yearning for a return to the 1978 cartoon version.

One viewer said: “To anyone who has not seen the original #WatershipDown. I am so sorry and please don’t think that because the original was made in 1978 that this 2018 version is an improvement on the animation because it’s not. As a matter of fact, I’d say this new version is a step backwards.”

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Another tweeted: “I’m quite certain they’ve aired a rough cut by mistake. None of the audio is mixed and the CGI looks like a 90s video game. Someone’s getting fired @BBCOne #WatershipDown.”

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One wrote: “The new #WatershipDown has some of the best actors mixed with the worst animation that I’m convinced whoever was in charge of the budget screwed up big time #lookslikeacheapvideogame.”

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A viewer said: “Anyone else wish they had used traditional animation instead of cgi #WatershipDown.”

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One joked: “#WatershipDown 1978 – Traumatising because of the brutality #WatershipDown 2018 – Traumatising because of the animation.”

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And another viewer suggested it looked unfinished. They said: “Not feeling this #WatershipDown yet, doesn’t seem a patch on the original, despite the outstanding cast. The CGI not only looks really dated, it looks odd too, like it’s unfinished …”

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The adaptation was directed by Noam Murro and the second part will air on Sunday.