Directed by:
Michael RadfordScreenplay:
Michael RadfordCinematography:
Roger DeakinsCast:
John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Cyril Cusack, Gregor Fisher, Anthony Benson, Roger Lloyd Pack, Rolf Saxon, Annie Lennox, Phyllis Logan (more)VOD (3)
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This masterly adaptation of George Orwell’s chilling parable about totalitarian oppression gives harrowing cinematic expression to the book’s bleak prophetic vision. In a rubble-strewn surveillance state where an endless overseas war props up the repressive regime of the all-seeing Big Brother, and all dissent is promptly squashed, a profoundly alienated citizen, Winston Smith (thrillingly played by John Hurt), risks everything for an illicit affair with the rebellious Julia (Suzanna Hamilton) in a defiant assertion of humanity in the face of soul-crushing conformity. Through vividly grim production design and expressionistically desaturated cinematography by Roger Deakins, Michael Radford’s 1984 conjures a dystopian vision of postwar Britain as fascistic nightmare—a world all too recognizable as our own. (Criterion)
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Unfortunately, I haven't read George Orwell's dystopian novel (shame on me), so in this case I can't judge to what extent the film manages to bring the main ideas from the book to the screen. As far as the film is concerned, I definitely have to praise the production design in the first place – the gloomy atmosphere of the grey and drab city guarded by the eyes of Big Brother is well done. I consider the final confrontation between the conscious individual and the ruthless system to be the strongest moment. On the other hand, I found the film stiff, likewise with the performances. Personally, I think that in order to fully judge the film, I would have to read the book first, so this rating should be taken with a grain of salt.
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This film’s biggest problem is the existence of the great book it adapts. Therefore, avoiding comparisons is impossible and they make the film feel like some sort of summary that we are supposed watch as illustration while reading the book. But I actually don’t think it could be possible to do it much better.
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The human mind is incredibly malleable... Filmed by a fan of the book, it’s clear to see. I won’t give it all five stars because of the slow take-off and sleepy tempo. Richard Burton (in his last ever role) and a fairly young John Hurt give excellent performances and it’s no problem to believe their every thought. To tell the truth, I watched 1984 just as preparation for an exam, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere of nothingness and despair. Who controls the past, controls the future. Who controls the present, controls the past.
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Orwell was absolutely incredible in describing dictatorship. And as Honza Vojtíšek wrote, it doesn't matter which dictatorship it is. "1984" is a beautiful example of how power can destroy people, but also because they allow themselves to be destroyed. If an individual rebels, they are crushed. And if everyone rebels... it's hard to say.
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"Who controls the past controls the future: He who controls the present controls the past." +++ "Under the spreading chestnut tree, I sold you, you sold me." +++ "It's not so much staying alive, it's staying human that's important. What counts is that we don't betray each other." +++ I read the cult novel "1984" at a time when I still couldn't fully understand everything and it had a strong impact on me even then. This film adaptation, successful in every respect, is a chillingly dark vision of a totalitarian regime (comparable to the book). The filmmakers managed to capture the atmosphere of the constant surveillance of Big Brother, from which there is no escape. It's definitely one of the most depressing films I've ever seen. The ideas contained in it are unfortunately not utopian even at present, one only has to look around. It almost seems that for unnamed Asian countries, Orwell's book may have been the inspiration for making people docile, fearful sheep. (85%)
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