1984 (1956)

This is a relatively faithful rendering of one of the novels that I remember from my youth. All the high school kids (who read anything) were reading it and talking about it. This was in the early sixties. I could not put the book down as terrifying and depressing as it was. All elements of society were controlled by the leaders. It brings to mind modern North Korea where the citizens are clueless and fed jingoistic nonsense. Winston Smith is a worker who has an intellectual side. He begins, through connections with others, to see that there is something wrong with the way he and his fellows are treated. Everything is controlled. He is ill and every day is like the last. Big Brother is looking out for everyone. He's probably not a real person, but they don't know. Winston meets Julia and they start to have a relationship. We know where this is going. As bad as things are, the producers don't get into some of the even more oppressive business of the government. Not a story for the squeamish.

***SPOILERS*** George Orwell's film based on his book "1984" about a future totalitarian state is more shocking now then it was it was first released some 60 years ago. With new speak and thought police now so common in our everyday language it was Orwell who coined those phrases that are so accurate in today's society. In the film party member Winston Smith, Edmond O'Brian, tries to fight the totalitarian government that he works and slaves for but ends up a mind numbed zombie for doing it. It was with his fellow party, of Oceania, member pretty blond Julia, Jan Sterling, that Winston tried to start a revolution but sadly found that only he he besides Julia were wiling to risk their lives or sanity in doing it.***SPOILERS***Back-stabbed and betrayed at every turn by a number of so-call friends who claimed to be on board with them in the end both Winston & Julia were turned into the thought police by those that they trusted most inner Party man O'Connor, Michael Redgrave, and junk shop owner Carrington, David Kossoff, to be tortured and re-educated by the state. It was love, that was outlawed by the state, that first brought both Winston & Julia together but fear by those whom they most trusted most that in the end did them both in. And it was fear or rule by fear that the government, Oceania, kept it's citizens in line.P.S We never really get to see the "Big Guy" called "Big Brother" or "Be-Be", as he's so affectionately called by his terrified and enslaved people , who's running this entire ruthless and sleaze ball operation that causes so much suffering for it's people but we do see posters of him plastered all over the place. From what we see of the posters of "Be-Be" he look a lot like the then dictator-like Director of the F.B.I J. Edger Hoover!

The only film version of 1984 I've seen so far and for some reason I have a feeling that the never versions are gonna suck. Having read the book I can say that the film is very accurate and true to the novel. The acting is solid and the characters are enjoyable and again true to the book.Obviously the plot is the key factor here and very clever but if you have read the book you wont be surprised except for the fact that they changed the ending to be a happier one. I guess not to upset the audience since the ending the book gives is so dystopian and hopeless(and excellent). The small change to the plot doesn't affect the movie that much and you really have to give the makers credit for being so accurate to most of the book. Many of the of the most memorable parts of the book can also be found in the movie such as "5 minute hate" and the jail scene with the other prisoners(if you've read the book you know what I mean). Even though slightly merrier then the novel its really not happy at all. Its very grim and the clinical look of the sets just creates a very convincing dystopian big brother future with no escape and no one to ask for help.Recommended for anyone into scifi or fans of Orwell.

I saw this movie as a young boy,and at the time I was very naive as to what they meant by "Big Brother" Many people to day, in particular the young, do not know the real meaning to Big Brother. Another name for it is the "New World Order" As in the Bible,you will have a noticeable stamp on your body in order to buy food or what have you. And your whereabouts will be monitored. And for this reason, I've NEVER forgotten this movie. It's a must see film by those that are as naive as I was,when I was a young boy.