If you see someone dressed in a blue jacket and nothing else don’t be bewildered. You’ve just spotted Peter Rabbit. He’s mischievous, adventurous and yes, he’s a rabbit. This adorable floppy-eared character’s antics will keep you enthralled throughout the movie.
Peter Rabbit, his cousin Benjamin, and his triplet sisters Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail, spend their days picking on Mr. McGregor and stealing vegetables from his garden. Their friend is a local woman named Bea, who paints pictures of rabbits and nature.
One day, by mischance, McGregor drops dead. Now, Peter, his family and all his woodland friends enjoy the run of McGregor’s house.
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But, all this is about to change as Thomas, McGregor’s nephew inherits the house and is determined to force Peter and his buddies out.
Things get a bit complicated when Young McGregor and Bea are attracted to each other. How will this pan out?
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The stunts in this movie are real. The ultimate battle between the rabbits and Young McGregor, is shot like a war movie.
There were real rabbits on set at one point so that the actors could interact and spend some time with them.
A group of actors, known as “The Bunny Troupe” , would act out the movements of the rabbits so that the camera would know where their furry friends were in each shot. Then, the shot was done without them and finally the rabbits were added using special effects.
The movie was was mostly filmed in Centennial Park in Sydney, Australia, where craftsmen built the McGregor cottage and its garden.
An accurate replica of Potter’s house and theme park can be found in Japan.
In the story, Peter and his animal friends talk about humans, but the humans can’t understand them.
Long ears and fluffy tales
Beatrix Potter wrote Peter Rabbit . She was born in London in 1866. She wrote and illustrated, The Tale of Peter Rabbit , which was first published in 1902.
The book has now sold more than 45 million copies and has been translated into 35 different languages.
Peter Rabbit was named after a pet rabbit called Peter Piper that she had as a child. This was the second rabbit that she kept. The first was Benjamin Bouncer, who inspired her to create Benjamin Bunny.
She was especially fond of Peter Piper, and would take him out for walks on a leash. She describes how he liked to lie in front of the fire “like a cat”. He knew several tricks — jumping through a hoop, ringing a bell and playing the tambourine.
Potter’s manuscript was rejected by six publishers, until Potter decided to publish it herself. In 1901, she printed 250 copies and shortened the title to The Tale of Peter Rabbit . She distributed the copies to family and friends.
A year later, Frederick Warne & Co, who initially rejected the manuscript, signed her up and decided to publish the book. Warne wanted coloured illustrations for the book.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit came out in October 1902. Within a year, it was in its sixth printing. When Potter heard that it had been printed 56,500 times she said, “The public must be fond of rabbits! What an appalling quantity of Peter.”