Episode 18 - Watership Down with RJ Barker

[farntfar]

Just got in from a long walk, during which I've been listening to this podcast.
So a couple of quick thoughts.
Kehaar is supposed to sound like the cry the bird makes. So I always thought it sounded more like K'Haaah, a bit like K'ching. A bit like the Kar Kar of a crow.
I also thought he was Norwegian, because I associated him with the Snow Goose of Paul Gallico. He had, if I remember correctly, lost his migrating flock because of an accent, which was why Hazel could help him get better.

An interesting comment from @The Judge about needing 12 character witnesses, who would swear to your good name, to be considered innocent of a crime, this becoming eventually a jury.
The French verb Jurer means to swear and a swearer is un jureur.
I know that the meaning of juror relates to the fact that the members are sworn in (*), promising to judge impartially whether they think the accused is guilty, but often the origin of words can be complicated, so there may be a bit of each, perhaps?

* The current French for a juror is un juré or une jurée, meaning someone who has sworn (in).

 

[PadreTX]

A couple weeks ago I listened to #18 while driving through Dallas. Once again, the Judge's talk is the favorite part.

I wondered about how trial by combat came into existence in lands that were part of the Roman Empire, like England and France. I would think the populace would improve or at least modify Roman law. What I tried to look up on internet Roman law didn't have trial by combat. Holy Roman Empire yes, but not Roman Empire. Unless the populace despised the Romans so much they would do the opposite of the Romans, even if that meant a lack of common sense.

 

[The Judge]

Trial by ordeal, of which trial by combat is part, is very much an Anglo-Saxon idea of justice. I didn't examine its inter-relationship with Roman law, but I imagine the Romano-British continued with whatever they were doing for some time, but of course what we have in the 5th century, after the legions leave, is the great influx of Jutes, Angles and Saxons who came from Germania Libera, the other side of the Rhine, which had never succumbed to Roman law. The JAS bring their own laws -- the "leges barbarorum" -- with them, and as they take over the country, their laws prevail in England, with additions from the Vikings under the Danelaw, I imagine.

I don't know much about the French legal system, but I think their present system is much more based on Roman law, though whether that's as a result of Napoleon's code overturning what was there before, I've no idea. (Actually, I might look at continental law at some point, so as to find out!)

 

[The Judge]

I realised I never did give a list of my sources relating to my talk on early criminal trials, so somewhat belatedly I've now put up a post in my History section thread for anyone who'd like to read more on the subject The Chronscast Talks -- the Law and History


By the way, I notice that in the UK the original Watership Down film has now had its cinema rating increased by the BBFC from U to PG (for non-Brits, that's from Universal, ie suitable for children as young as 4, to Parental Guidance, ie should be OK for children of 8 or over) because of its ‘mild violence, threat, brief bloody images and bad language’ Watership Down now rated PG after 45 years of terrifying children

 

[AnRoinnUltra]

'after 45 years'
It seems to have stood the test of time well, it caught the imagination of my kids when they were younger and still gets another sneaky play every now and then (wouldn't be cool but I've found it in the player and it didn't get there by itself

 

[paranoid marvin]

The combination of animation and music leaves WD with quite a haunting quality to it. Much of what happens in the movie is both horrific and mother nature at work. But much of 'mother's nature is horrific - especially when you are a rabbit; death is a constant companion.

This is also the only movie that never fails to bring a tear to my eye at the very end. But as well as sadness it also brings hope.

 

[THX1138]

The combination of animation and music leaves WD with quite a haunting quality to it. Much of what happens in the movie is both horrific and mother nature at work. But much of 'mother's nature is horrific - especially when you are a rabbit; death is a constant companion.

This is also the only movie that never fails to bring a tear to my eye at the very end. But as well as sadness it also brings hope.

Same for me too. The ending hits the heart every time.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

The "terrifying" description of the 1978 animation is both intrinsically ridiculous and hyped up by critics and other commentators. It's a beautiful film, with some gore in it. Oh, and we all die. Big deal.
The music is fantastic: evocative, atmospheric. I've always enjoyed it on CD as good listening. This film is in my Top 10 of all time, it's nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[BAYLOR]

The "terrifying" description of the 1978 animation is both intrinsically ridiculous and hyped up by critics and other commentators. It's a beautiful film, with some gore in it. Oh, and we all die. Big deal.
The music is fantastic: evocative, atmospheric. I've always enjoyed it on CD as good listening. This film is in my Top 10 of all time, it's nothing to be ashamed of.

Ive never read the book ,but saw the film . Excellent.

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Incredible story and felt like a great starting point for my Chronscast journey.

 

[Moonbat]

I am so grateful to the Chronscast for covering Waterhsip Down.
Like many UK adults that grew up in the 80s I was aware of the cartoon but I don't believe I had ever sat down and watched it, so when I saw there was an episode on Watership Down I thought, ok well I haven't read the book but I know a bit about it.
I have now read the book, and I really enjoyed it,
What sold it to me was the idea that its a fantasy book, but instead of goblins, wizards and dragons you have Rabbits. I was amazed at how well it translated those classic themes of premonition, travel, heroes and villains into Rabbits. I loved the language and I'm always amazed by how many different names there are for what I would probably call grassy type stuff.
It was a great read and I'm kind of sad it's over. Dare I take on another of the books covered in Chroncast?
I did think I'd buy the book for my young daughter, but even though she has become an avid reader I think it's a bit too heavy for her at the moment, but I'll be encouraging her to read it as she ages.

Great book, great show. Well done guys.

 

[THX1138]

I just a chance to listen to it last night while wrapping gifts. I have a whole new view and appreciation of Watership Down.
Great podcast!