Watership Down | Sunday, Netflix
Best-selling “Watership Down” author Richard Adams dismissed those who called his classic novel an allegory, saying it’s simply a story about rabbits. But Noam Murro, the director of a four-part, animated adaptation, believes the story’s lessons are more subtle. “It’s embedded in the text but a lot of it is subtext, without wearing its allegorical stripes on its shoulders,” said Murro, 57. “That’s what makes a really great piece of art, versus something that’s trying to be didactic.”
The story, previously depicted in a bloody 1978 animated film, follows a group of harried hares who are looking for a new home when a human construction project threatens to destroy their underground warren. They set out for greener pastures, facing threats from humans and other animals along the way.
The new adaptation took nearly seven years to make and features cinematic vistas and rabbits with lifelike mannerisms. The characters are voiced by actors like James McAvoy (as leader Hazel), Nicholas Hoult (clairvoyant rabbit Fiver), Gemma Chan (Dewdrop), Peter Capaldi (Kehaar), Sir Ben Kingsley (General Woundwort) and Rosamund Pike (Black Rabbit, the angel of death).
Murro, who directed 2014’s “300: Rise of an Empire,” spoke with The Post by phone from LA.
How does your film differ from the 1978 movie?
Some moviegoers who saw the movie in their childhood remember it as a traumatizing experience because of [the] gore. We never wanted anybody to hide behind a couch while watching it; the idea is not to shock you. Violence is an incredibly important part of this story — that’s part of nature, whether human or animal. But it’s never about gore, or gratuitous violence.
Why does it look more like a live-action movie?
The main goal was to have that sense of: Is it really real, or is it not 100 percent real? Camera movements, editorial choices and sets were designed as if we’re looking through the lens of a live-action movie versus animation. The camera never goes where a real one can’t go, so there are no kooky angles. It all stems from real live action, as if these are real people and sets.
How many actors are in it and how difficult was it to coordinate recording schedules?
A lot! [laughs] These are incredibly busy stars, so it’s one of those things where you just work around that. They’ve seen me in onesies more than I’d ever like them to see me, at 4 a.m., LA time. Computers and satellites and all of that.
Beyond the narrative, what do you think the story is about?
All those issues that if you turn on any TV station today you’ll be dealing with: migration, social issues, the relationship between men and the environment, the relationship between animals and environment, organized religion and the quest for home.
Is the story OK for children?
It’s appropriate for children to see it because it introduces themes that they will have to face like we all do in life: death, violence, hierarchies, social issues and cyclical existential issues. And it’s a great way for adults to re-examine it.
How difficult were the emotional scenes for the cast?
At the very end when Hazel is having a conversation with Fiver, Nick and I were sitting in the recording studio, crying our eyes out. Literally going, “We’re going into overtime; we gotta stop this and start working.” We couldn’t put ourselves together. It is, like any great story, an emotional, dramatic investigation. If you actually reach for the tissue box — and I think people will — then we did it. What else is there?
— Eric Hegedüs
And here’s what else to watch this week:
A Hard Day’s Night | Friday, 8 p.m., TCM
Watching this 1964 film, the Beatles’ first, may make you feel really old, but it’s irresistible. The Marx Brothers-style romp depicts a typical day in the lives of the Fab Four, with a madcap, freewheeling tone and many of the band’s songs. Songs include “She Loves You,” “And I Love Her,” “All My Loving,” ”Can’t Buy Me Love” and the title tune. Starring Paul McCartney.
Dirty John | Sunday, 10 p.m., Bravo
John (Eric Bana) gets clean for earnest Debra (Connie Britton). Terra (Julia Garner) learns John is back in her mother’s life. Depressing. John puts his sister through the ringer.
White Christmas | Monday, 7 p.m., Sundance
Former Army buddies put on a show with a sister act to save their former general’s Vermont hotel. The glorious holiday musical stars Rosemary Clooney, who sings the title tune. Co-starring Vera-Ellen, Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby.
I Feel Bad | Thursday, 8 p.m., NBC
When Emet (Sarayu Blue) realizes she doesn’t know much about her father (Brian George) she goes to extreme measures to learn more about him.
The Kennedy Center Honors | Wednesday, 8 p.m., CBS
How will this year’s honorees feel when President Trump doesn’t show up at the ceremony? Relieved? Insulted? This year’s list includes Philip Glass, Reba McEntire, Wayne Shorter and Cher. “Hamilton” creator and American Express pitchman Lin-Manuel Miranda is also being recognized, so early in his career when you look at how long most of these folks have been at it. Pandering?
Madam Secretary | Sunday, 8:30 p.m., CBS
Elizabeth (Téa Leoni) goes head-to-head with a US governor over the state’s new policy of separating unauthorized immigrants from their children. Also, she and Henry (Tim Daly) plan to renew their wedding vows.
Escape at Dannemora | Sunday, 10 p.m., Showtime
In a flashback, we see Richard Matt (Benicio Del Toro) and David Sweat (Paul Dano) commit the crimes that landed them in Clinton in the first place. And we see Tilly (Patricia Arquette) in the days when she cheated on her first husband with Lyle (Eric Lange). Triangulating.
