Watership Down

Fiver foresees the destruction of Sandleford warren. Hazel organizes an exodus. The Owsla tries to stop them, but Bigwig fights free and the band escapes into the night.

The band crosses dangerous open country, swims the Enborne, and encounters a hostile crow. Fiver's visions guide them toward the high ground. Hazel's leadership solidifies through crisis.

The rabbits discover a seemingly prosperous warren where the inhabitants are fat, artistic, and deeply strange. They have abandoned traditional rabbit stories. The truth is revealed: a farmer snares them regularly, and they accept death as the price of comfort.

The rabbits reach the high chalk down and begin building their warren. Holly arrives with news of Sandleford's destruction. El-ahrairah stories sustain the community. The problem of no does becomes critical.

The rabbits rescue a wounded gull named Kehaar. He scouts the countryside and discovers Efrafa, a massive warren under the iron control of General Woundwort. Plans for infiltration begin.

Bigwig infiltrates Efrafa as a supposed loyalist. He discovers the depth of Woundwort's control, makes contact with Hyzenthlay and other does who want to escape, and begins planning the breakout.

Bigwig leads the breakout during a thunderstorm. The does flee toward the river. Kehaar attacks from above. The rabbits escape downstream on a punt — an unprecedented act of rabbit ingenuity.

Woundwort's army besieges Watership Down. The rabbits defend their warren against overwhelming force. Bigwig holds the tunnel. Hazel conceives a desperate plan: release the Nuthanger Farm dog.

Woundwort faces the dog alone and is never seen again. His body is never found. The Efrafan survivors integrate into the Watership Down community. Campion leads a reformed Efrafa.

Years pass. The warren thrives. Hazel, old and stiff, is visited by El-ahrairah himself, who invites him to join his Owsla. Hazel's body is found by a girl, but he has already gone. The stories continue.