A prosaic filmization of George Orwell's cautionary novel, 1984 is set in a futuristic totalitarian society where individuality is forbidden. The ruler is the never-seen "Big Brother," whose minions have monitored and bugged the activities of the populace so that no one can harbor any "subversive" thoughts. Edmond O'Brien plays Winston Smith, a government functionary satisfied with his lot, until he commits the illegal act of falling in love with Julia (Jan Sterling), a member of the anti-sex league. The lovers try to escape the all-powerful influence of Big Brother, but their every move is recorded by listening and viewing devices. Both are captured and sent to rehabilitation centers; preying upon Winston's and Julia's innermost fears, the lieutenants of Big Brother break down their resistance and force them to betray one another. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Review
This version of 1984, the George Orwell dystopian masterpiece, is decent enough, but not the cinematic treatment that the material deserves. Part of the problem is that in 1956, some of the novel's more extreme situations couldn't be presented onscreen in an "honest" manner. Ralph Gilbert Bettinson's adaptation also suffers from veering back and forth between being faithful to the book and deviating from it, making it somewhat wishy-washy. The writer would have made a stronger contribution had he made a decision to be more slavish to the book or to depart totally from it and come up with a cinematic equivalent that captured the spirit and message, even if it had an atmosphere and life of its own. That said, the horrors of Orwell's vision are even more relevant today, with some people preying on fears about safety and security to justify surveillance and information-gathering techniques that have the potential to be used for ill as much as for good. Michael Anderson's direction of the film is solid, if unexceptional, and he has a fine Winston Smith in Edmond O'Brien. If O'Brien is perhaps not the perfect age and physical type, he more than makes up for it with his effective, nuanced performance. Jan Sterling does less well as Julia, perhaps because of the necessary bowdlerization that has befallen her part. Michael Redgrave is, surprisingly, a bit off form as O'Connor, but Donald Pleasance does very well in the small role of Parsons. If this 1984 is flawed, it still packs a decent punch -- and in several scenes, it packs quite a bit more. (Viewers should beware that there were different endings shot, and there are at least two versions which show up on the rare occasions the film is televised.) ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
Terence Verity - Art Director, Barbara Gray - Costume Designer, Michael Anderson - Director, Bill Lewthwaite - Editor, Malcolm Arnold - Composer (Music Score), Louis Levy - Musical Direction/Supervision, C.M. Pennington-Richards - Cinematographer, N. Peter Rathvon - Producer, Norman Warwick - Special Effects, George Blackwell - Special Effects, Barry Langley - Special Effects, Ralph Gilbert Bettinson - Screenwriter, William P. Templeton - Screenwriter, George Orwell - Book Author
1984 is a 1956 film loosely based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell. This is the first cinema rendition of the story, directed by Michael Anderson, and starring Edmond O'Brien. Also starring are Donald Pleasence, Jan Sterling, and Michael Redgrave. Pleasence also appeared in the 1954 television version of the film, playing the character of Syme, which in the film was amalgamated with that of Parsons. O'Brien, the antagonist, was renamed "O'Connor," possibly to avoid confusion with lead actor Edmond O'Brien. After the customary distributor agreement expired, the film was withdrawn from the theatrical and TV distribution channels by Orwell's estate, and is no longer available in any legally obtainable form, although a few prints may be in the hands of collectors. The 1984 screen remake starring John Hurt and Richard Burton is still available, however.
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