1984 (1956)

In a totalitarian future society, Winston Smith, whose daily work is re-writing history, tries to rebel by falling in love.

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

George Orwell (freely adapted from the novel by: "1984"), William Templeton (screenplay) (as William P. Templeton)

Stars:

Edmond O'Brien, Michael Redgrave, Jan Sterling

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edmond O'Brien	...	Winston Smith of the Outer Party
Michael Redgrave	...	O'Connor of the Inner Party
Jan Sterling	...	Julia of the Outer Party
David Kossoff	...	Charrington the Junk Shop Owner
Mervyn Johns	...	Jones
Donald Pleasence	...	R. Parsons (as Donald Pleasance)
Carol Wolveridge	...	Selina Parsons
Ernest Clark	...	Outer Party Announcer
Patrick Allen	...	Inner Party Official
Ronan O'Casey	...	Rutherford
Michael Ripper	...	Outer Party Orator
Ewen Solon	...	Outer Party Orator
Kenneth Griffith	...	Prisoner (as Kenneth Griffiths)

Storyline

In a futuristic, state-run society controlled by "Big Brother" in which love is outlawed, employee of the state Winston Smith falls for Julia, and is tortured and brainwashed for his crime.

---

Plot Keywords:

future | big brother | communist dictatorship | orwellian | dystopia | 

---

Taglines:

From the Startling George Orwell Novel!

---

Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Donald Pleasence (R. Parsons) also appeared in the 1954 television version, playing the character of Syme, which in this movie is amalgamated with that of Parsons.

---

Quotes

R. Parsons: Maybe we shouldn't have stopped here. I get pretty uneasy when I'm near people who aren't... healthy, if you know what I mean. Oh well. Long live BB!
Winston Smith of the Outer Party: Long live BB!

---

Alternate Versions

There are reportedly two endings to this film. The UK version ends with a defiant Winston Smith and Julia being executed by the authorities. The US version is more faithful to Orwell's book and concludes with Winston and Julia being brainwashed into becoming loyal followers of "Big Brother."

---

Connections

Referenced in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)

---

Soundtracks

Symphony No.5: Second Movement
(uncredited)
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

Bad Casting, Lack of Suspense

Hopefully everyone knows the story of author George Orwell's novel and then the subsequent movie, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Even the cult classic movie Brazil in 1985 has an Orwell type features and themes through the entire fabric of the film. In fact the working title for for the highly futuristic Brazil was 1984 and a half.

In the future, the people of Oceania are in a endless, living in a state of poverty, fear, and oppression. Even personal will and thought are monitored for the common good. Meals are rationed and virtually every move is monitored through video cameras and police agents. Winston has memories of when life was better and he expounds about it in a private journal that he keep hidden. Winston begins making eye contact with a younger woman named Julia; it's not long afterward that they are part of the rebellion against the state.

George Orwell published his book in 1949. The novel found fame because of its portrayal of everyone watching everyone else and loss of personal rights in the face of a oppressive government. He chose the year 1984 as the target date for Big Brother as he called it.

There was a BBC version of the movie followed by the 1956 Edward O'Brien film. Together the movies were able to cause only a minor stir and that was for sending people back to the book to read the full story. This version was directed by Michael Anderson who did such films as Around the World in 80 Days and Logan's Run in 1976. This movie is just not well done, it lacks timing and any degree of suspense. If you can find the BBC version try that one first. Even though there is some combining of characters, Donald Pleasance is in it and does a pretty good job.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

1984

Filming Locations:

UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Holiday Film Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1