Animal Farm
by John Halas, Joy Batchelor
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Gordon Heath, Maurice DenhamDirector: John Halas, Joy Batchelor
Brand: Image Entertainment
Producer: John Halas
Producer: Joy Batchelor
Writer: George Orwell
Writer: Philip Stapp
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Special Edition
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 72 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-11-02
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Homevision
Movie Reviews of Animal Farm
Movie Review: Home Vision does justice to Halas and Batchelor
Summary: 5 Stars
Dark, disturbing, and very European, _Animal Farm_ marked an auspicious feature debut from Britain's Halas and Batchelor animation studio. The film was produced by "March of Time" newsreel mogul Louis de Rochemont, and partly financed by the CIA (though by all accounts the CIA had no editorial control over the finished product).
In adapting George Orwell's anti-Stalinist beast fable for the screen, Halas and Batchelor dropped several minor characters, jettisoned most of the humor, and created a new finale -- which, though slightly more optimistic than the novel, hardly qualifies as a happy ending. Orwell purists have never forgiven them, even though this version of _Animal Farm_ succeeds admirably on its own terms.
Avoid cheap public-domain copies: Home Vision Entertainment's edition is the one to buy, with an in-depth television documentary, a thoughtful if overenthusiastic commentary from Brian Sibley, excellent liner notes, and a first-rate full-frame transfer.
Despite a few Disneyesque moments, _Animal Farm_ is not suitable for children.
Summary of Animal Farm
Based on the classic novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm tells the story of a group of farm animals who successfully revolt against their cruel human owner, only to be enslaved anew by the unscrupulous pig Napoleon, whose slogan is "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Presented here in its 50th Anniversary edition, Animal Farm combines superb animation, brilliant Technicolor?, and a host of memorable characters to create a timeless fable.A rare example of mainstream animation being used to tell a highly political story, Animal Farm retains its value as a vivid adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel. Characters were eliminated, certain elements of plot were simplified, and the book's gloomy ending was softened to offer a glimmer of hope, but Orwell's parable of the Russian revolution--retold as a revolt among not-so-equal barnyard animals--remains potently intact. As produced by the famous British animation studio run by John Halas and Joy Batchelor, this still-important 1954 film is anything but kiddie fare; it steadfastly avoids sentiment, and despite its slightly more upbeat ending this is still a story that involves exploitation, death, betrayal, and an inevitable uprising that goes a step beyond Orwell's pessimistic conclusion. With British actor Maurice Denham supplying all the voices and Gordon Heath providing newsreel-like narration, this economical, documentary-like telling of Orwell's tale was criticized for its "Disneyfied" style, but the animation is actually quite striking in its European influence and bold use of symbolism. It has aged, and some of its impact has been lost to the course of history, but it's an essential addition to any serious animation collection. Excellent commentary and a 30-minute "making of" featurette place this extraordinary milestone of British animation in proper historical context. --Jeff Shannon
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