Dandelion (Watership Down)

Dandelion is a fictional character: a buck rabbit in Richard Adams' novel, Watership Down.

In the novel

Dandelion is one of the rabbits who escapes from Sandleford with Hazel's band. He has two particular characteristics: the first is his speed, which is notable even by lapine standards, and is important more than once, the most obvious example being his part in luring the Nuthanger Farm dog up the hill to scatter the Efrafans near the end of the book. Secondly, Dandelion is a gifted storyteller, an ability much prized and respected among rabbits.

In the film

Dandelion, voice-acted by Richard O'Callaghan, is considerably less important in the film than he is in the book; there is only one story related in the film, and this is narrated by Frith (Michael Hordern) rather than Dandelion. However, his speed is at least hinted at in that he is the first rabbit to reach the top of Watership Down itself, exclaiming: "Come and look! You can see the whole world!" His storytelling ability is hinted at twice, both in Cowslip Warren when he is asked to tell a folk tale, which Cowslip dismisses claiming that is people have grown beyond such stories, and by the line retained from the book when he tells Hazel, prior to leading out the dog, "If we ever meet again, Hazel-rah, we'll have the makings of the best story ever!" to which Hazel responds "And you'll be the one to tell it."

In the TV series

In the TV series, Dandelion was played by Phill Jupitus. This Dandelion is recognised more for his storytelling than his speed; in at least one episode it's suggested he tells tall tales about his own adventures.