- "You don't know these Efrafans. My mother used to tell me what happened at Nutley Copse. It would be better to go now."
- — Blackavar to Hazel in the book
Blackavar is a rabbit with very dark fur from Efrafa. He tried to escape Efrafa when prevented from joining the Owsla, only to be caught by Campion. As punishment, Blackavar's ears were ripped to shreds, and he was kept in solitary confinement to discourage further escape attempts.
However, he was later liberated by Bigwig along with Hyzenthlay and several other does. He quickly proved himself an expert tracker and ranger, and Hazel came to trust and rely upon Blackavar.
Blackavar survives the attack on Watership Down in the book, miniseries and possibly the TV series, but dies in the film.
Books[]
Watership Down[]
Blackavar's mother was one of the rabbits taken prisoner when General Woundwort attacked the warren in Nutley Copse. His father was an Efrafan captain who had been killed on Wide Patrol. Blackavar, proud of his father, had grown up with the resolve to become an officer in the Owsla. But together with this, there had come to him from his mother a certain resentment against Efrafa. He received Owsla training in the Right Fore Mark, but was not promoted into the Owsla despite doing very well, and he developed an even greater resentment against Efrafa, believing that he had been discriminated against due to his mother's Nutley Copse heritage. He then befriended some of the does who wanted to leave Efrafa and encouraged them to give Woundwort their proposal.
Blackavar being tortured by the Owslafa, resulting in his shredded ears.
When the does were separated to stop further plans to leave or escape, Blackavar tried his luck at running during his Mark's silflay. Getting as far as Campion, he gave the latter rabbit some trouble but was brought back. The Council tore his ears and decided that he must be shown to all of the Marks and tell anyone who asks what happened to him that he is a traitor and that the Council was merciful. He is kept prisoner by two Owslafa guards, one of whom is Bartsia.
When Bigwig meets him, he decides not to leave without Blackavar, especially after Hyzenthlay tells him she is sure he will be killed after he is presented before every Mark. Given a small warning ahead of time, Blackavar helps Bigwig fight off his guards and runs with him and the does. Hazel finds Blackavar to be a useful tracker and a good fighter. After he leaves Efrafa to live at Watership Down with the does, it becomes clear that Blackavar is very helpful and trustworthy, and he soon becomes great friends with Holly and Silver.
During the attack on Watership Down, Blackavar fends off Groundsel, although both of them would eventually become allies when Groundsel joins Hazel's group.
Tales from Watership Down[]
During wintertime hardship and a lack of food, Blackavar led a few of the does on an expedition to the farm, but they were able to pick up very little, chiefly on account of the cats.
Later, he expresses support to the idea of Hyzenthlay becoming a female Chief Rabbit to co-lead with Hazel.
Film[]
- "You don't know the Efrafans. They'll never give up."
- — Blackavar during the final battle
In the film, Blackavar has his ears ripped to shreds by two Efrafans and is nearly beaten to death by them, but he survives and is used as an example to others who try to escape. In front of Bigwig, Blackavar is threatened by Vervain and forced to say that the Council was merciful. After Bigwig injures Chervil, Blackavar escapes with Hyzenthlay, Bigwig, and many Efrafan does onto the river by boat. He makes it to Watership Down with them and says he will fight to the death so he doesn't have to return to Efrafa.
Blackavar killed by General Woundwort.
During the battle of Watership Down, when Woundwort breaks into the warren, Blackavar secretly stays behind while the other rabbits go further down into the tunnel. He bravely charges at Woundwort but is instantly overpowered, thrown to the ground, and brutally killed by having his throat torn out by Woundwort. This is his only death in the adaptions.
TV series[]
Primrose and Blackavar.
In the TV series, Blackavar is the only rabbit other than Primrose to escape Efrafa along with Bigwig in season one, and his ears aren't torn up. He has head fur like Bigwig's in the film, but it seems more like a hairpiece and appears combed. Blackavar also has an Irish accent and is voiced by Stephen Gately, who also sings Bright Eyes in the same series.
He is more timid in this version, mostly seen talking to Primrose about his anxieties about their escape.
Blackavar's last speaking role was in Escape From Efrafa, after which he only appeared as a background character in The Vision, Prisoner of Efrafa, and The Homecoming. He was also mentioned in the same episode by Hazel, who told Dandelion to get Captain Holly, Blackavar, and the rest while Woundwort's army stormed into the caverns. After that, he abruptly vanishes in the third season of the TV series. However, he may have a different design, like many other characters of the TV series after season two, but no speaking role.
Miniseries[]
- "You must be the one they call Thayli. (You can call me Bigwig. I've got one question for you: Can you fight?) I've got claws and teeth, haven't I?"
- — Blackavar and Bigwig
Blackavar in the miniseries.
He happens to cross paths with Captain Holly during an escape attempt and warns Holly of Efrafa. His ears are already damaged when he is first introduced. He is later captured, maimed as punishment, and led around Efrafa as an example to all those who would try to escape. Bigwig is impressed by Blackavar's willingness to fight with all his might, even while wounded, and he helps Blackavar escape again with the does. While on the Down, Blackavar is shown to heal his wounds over time before the final battle.
In this version, Blackavar is an older buck who lived through Woundwort's attack on his warren (presumably still Nutley Copse) himself, rather than being born in Efrafa after his mother was captured.
He initially advocates for Hazel and the rest to flee Watership Down when Woundwort attacks, but later decides to stay and fight with the others. During the finale, Hazel recruits Blackavar on the mission to lead Bob to Watership Down, as Dandelion is injured during the battle and cannot run. During the chase, Blackavar trips and hurts his leg. However, before Bob can attack Blackavar, Hazel manages to distract the dog and lure him away from Blackavar, leading him to Watership Down.
Gallery[]
Film[]
Miniseries[]
TV series[]
Graphic novel[]
