1984
Directed by Michael Anderson
Written by William Templeton and Ralph Bettison from the novel by George Orwell
1956/UK/USA
Columbia Pictures Corporation/Holiday Film Productions Ltd.
First viewing/YouTube
He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” ― George Orwell, 1984
True horror is not being able to trust anyone.
This is a fairly faithful adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian novel. Following a nuclear war in the 1960’s, the atom bomb has been outlawed but war has not. The powers that be find that continual war is the best way of controlling the masses. London is now the capital of its province of Oceania. Oceania is at war with Eurasia and is ruled by Big Brother. Telescreens are everywhere, monitoring the behavior of citizens. Children spy on their parents. Marriage and everything else is arranged by the state and love has been outlawed.
Winston Smith (Edmond O’Brian) works in the Ministry of Truth rewriting history. As the story begins, he thinks he is being followed by a woman from the ministry. Winston has a rebellious streak and is justifiably paranoid. It turns out that the woman, Julia (Jan Sterling), has actually been awaiting a discreet opportunity to talk to him. She finally tells him she loves him and they arrange to meet.
After trying a couple of other spots, the couple start a form of domestic life on Sundays in the apartment of an antique dealer who befriends them. The relationship is emboldening Winston, who decides to make contact with the underground. He believes that O’Connor (Michael Redgrave) of the Inner Party has been sending him signals. But hope is in short supply in 1984 … With Donald Pleasance as Winston’s friend.
I read the novel at a fairly young age and it terrified me. For one thing, I have a hatred of rats that rivals the hero’s. I thought this film did the novel justice. The art direction looked interesting but the YouTube print was a bit too fuzzy to really appreciate it. I can think of several actors that might have made a better Winston than O’Brien but he didn’t do too badly. Recommended.
Trailer no longer works so here is a comparison of versions including this one.
