Animal Farm
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Movie Reviews of Animal Farm
Movie Review: ANIMATED BUT STILL A HARD HITTING PROPHETIC PARABLE
Summary: 5 Stars
ANIMATED BUT STILL A HARD HITTING PROPHETIC PARABLE ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION ---
IN A NUTSHELL:
I have just enjoyed "Animal Farm", the animated feature, for the first time and I was truly impressed. Its stark animated realism, augmented by its dispassionate style of narration, gave the film a sense of inevitability which added to its weight as a 20th century parable, created from the famous work by George Orwell.
WHERE THE FILM GOES: "ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS!"
As most people point out, it is a slightly simplified and more upbeat [in the finale] rendering of Orwell's original literary work, but it is still rather hard-hitting and prophetic. Nevertheless, the personifications of farm animals turned into historic figures like Napoleon the Pig are startling depictions, and mirrored much of what happened in the 20th century, concluding with the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.
LESSON: ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY?!
Neatly depicted are the "Commandmants" which, as the ruling pigs evolve and change hands, begin to be broken by simply revising them to suit the needs of the MORE EQUAL ANIMALS. Ultimately, the reasons for the original revolution -- a desperate need to end the horrible conditions that were brought about by the exploitation of the many by the few -- repeated in the stunning finale. The results are rather predictable, but maybe they weren't when Orwell wrote the book. In any event, it seems to be a parable which needs to be brought frequently to our attention as humans, not just to the animals that are more or less equal to their neighbors in the barnyard.
Movie Review: Review for "Animal Farm", DVD re-issue, 1950's
Summary: 5 Stars
My Mom is fussin' about Mr. Obama ('cause she got "stuck" on all this new O'Reilly Factor/Rush Limbaugh/Joe Scarborough/Sean Hannity hype/type-o'-stuff since 9-11), even though she was leaning Democratic in the 70's during "Tricky Dickie's" (Richard M. Nixon's) wrestling w/McGovern, phew... Ya, she thinks there's the big socialist thing going on now (but she sure likes her Roosevelt/Truman/Kennedy/Johnson style social security!), and she remembered reading a book in her senior year (during the height, by the way, of the Cold War), called "Animal Farm".
She thought it pictured a socialist takover's result on "an economy", in the setting of a farm-animal society. Now with so many pundits throwing out the sound-bytes and spin of the day about Mr. Obama socialist this & that, she wanted to either get the book again, or since I found the DVD for her, I got it from a selected dealer on AMAZON, and this review is to support both the great quality of service (i.e. shipping, timeliness) from the AMAZON, and also to rate the movie "Animal Farm" as very interesting!
It's animated, (not for the little tykes, though!), in the same sense as the Beavis & Butthead, the South Park, etc., (designed for adults).
While watching "Animal Farm" with her, I kept asking, "ok, if the farm animals' revolt against the mean farmer is supposed to picture (in her mind), Mr. Obama's ("bad", socialist, etc.) reforms, then who also, in the movie, are the "Republicans" of our day? I told her it's the darned mean ol farmer (i.e. Georgie Bush, Dick Cheney, etc.). See for yourself, what will YOU think, try it! (ANIMAL FARM, Review: a dark classic
Summary: 5 Stars Any child with a sensitivity to animals would find the violence in this 1955 groundbreaking British animated feature very disturbing; many of the farm animals suffer terrible cruelty at the hands of both Farmer Jones and the pigs that succeed him, so parents should use care and discernment since sometimes this film is represented as a "cartoon".
The script is based on George Orwell's "Animal Farm" and retains much of its brilliance, and is narrated by Gordon Heath, with character actor Maurice Denham speaking all the animal parts.
Orwell wrote "Animal Farm" with the Stalinist Soviet Union in mind, but the tale could apply to any totalitarian regime, many which start with the socialistic "one for all-all for one" idealism and propaganda. The animation is fairly simple compared to what one is used to today, but the images are powerful, and very moving. The plight of Boxer the horse and his devoted friend Benjamin the donkey is wrenching, and beautifully drawn.
The sound effects are also excellent, as well as the score by Matyas Siber, which has some songs that imitate the Soviet military style, with one of them cleverly vocalized by animal sounds.
This film is now in public domain, and there are some DVDs issued at a rock bottom price, which don't include the extras; I have one that has a fairly good transfer, with an adequate (considering the price) color reproduction of its Technicolor hues.
Directed by Jay Batchelder and John Halas, this one is a classic, but too dark and upsetting for young children. Total running time is 73 minutes.
Movie Review: Somewhat different from the book, but.......
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay folks, if you read Orwell's original, you might be disappointed in the differences in this film, but so what? What movie ever faithfully follows a book 100%?
With that said, enjoy the film for what it is. It's a really deep and thought-provoking film about how the exploited often becomes the exploiter. In this case, a group of animals overthrow and evil farmer and create a new society called "Animalism" which stresses cooperation among non-humans. The Pigs wind up as the rurlers of this Brave New World and a pig maned Napoleon slowly and subtly beomes their dicator. Even those who are unaware that the story is based on Stalinist Russia will be moved by what happens to Boxer the horse (this scene is pretty faithful to Orwell's original) and be repelled by the corruption of Napoleon the Pig (aka Joseph Stalin).
Made by a British company in 1955, this was probably the first adult-oriented cartoon feature. CERTAINLY not for the kiddies, as they may find it overtly grim and depressing. Nor is it a "date flick" or film you would invite your buddies over for beer and pizza (unless you want some intellectual discussion afterwards). It's a real thinking person's film and I would recommend it for high school and college history classes as a means of sparking discussion on how revolutionary movements often become reactionary.. It's amazing in modern times how this story closely mirrors what happens in a lot of so-called third-world countries today.
Movie Review: God Bless You Mr. Orwell!
Summary: 5 Stars
His legacy to us; Animal Farm, 1984, Down and Out in London and Paris, Keep the Aspidistra Flying; and so many other good stories is an incredible treasure trove. Here's hoping that those who watch this cartoon take a few hours, and read these books. Surprisingly easy reading too; George Orwell always felt that to say something clearly was most important. His ideas tend to stick with you. This movie version of Animal Farm is true to the book with the exception of the ending. The live action 1999 movie was not as good as this version and also suffers from a misleading ending. With the movie 1984 the book is better than either movie versions. After reading Down and Out, you'll never look at a restaurant the same way; and Aspidistra is about selling books - and living free; sort of like the modern drop out from society who still will work an undemanding job that leaves his soul free. Down and Out is similar in this sense. In fact all of these titles have living free as a central core theme. Even when the animal society fails the attempt was noble, and the revolution was inspired by freedom. Even when 1984's Winston sits arrested in a totalitarian world, he has never the less lived his life seeking freedom, and you get the idea others like him exist there in that world. This DVD is an incredible restoration with listenable sound. Enjoy! God bless you Mr. Orwell!