1984 (1984)

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Directed by Michael Radford.

Starring Cyril Cusack, Gregor Fisher, Suzanna Hamilton, John Hurt, Richard Burton.

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Directed by British filmmaker Michael Radford, Nineteen Eighty-Four is the second film adaptation of the George Orwell novel. The film is set during April of 1984 in post-atomic war London, the capital city of the repressive totalitarian state of Oceania. Winston Smith (John Hurt) is a government bureaucrat whose job is rewriting history and erasing people from existence. While his co-worker Parsons (Gregor Fisher) seems content to follow the state's laws, Winston starts to write in a secret diary despite the fact the "Big Brother" is watching everyone at all times by way of monitors. He silently suffers and tries to comprehend his oppression, which forbids individual human behaviors such as free thinking and sex. He meets Julia (Suzanna Hamilton), who works for the Ministry of Truth, and they engage in a stoic love affair. They are soon found out, and Winston is interrogated and tortured by his former friend O'Brien (Richard Burton in his final film appearance). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

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Reviews and discussions

Re:Criterion Predictions
by leeroy711 in Criterion Collection

hasn't rated it.

"[quote user="Smooth_J"] [quote user="leeroy711"] 1984 - To the best of my knowledge, there is still no dvd release availiable for this movie. [/quote] There was one a while ago, but it's indefinitely out of print, and is going for about $60 USED on Amazon. Quite ridiculous...that would be a great one though. I loved the book, have yet to see the movie. [/quote] I also thought of Dark City, if for no other reason than it's early German industrialism feel and that a few critics (especially Ebert) loved it. But I think I just read that New Line is releasing a director's cut of it soon so I don't think criterion will be getting it for the next 20 years or so. I definately think (and hope) at some point they release Z. This is one that came finally made it to dvd in (I'm guessing) a very limited release. The only place you can find a copy is online and the asking price is usually around $35-45. There isn't much to speak of when in regards to special features. This is one of my fav ... " [More]

Re:Criterion Predictions
by Smooth_J in Criterion Collection

hasn't rated it.

"[quote user="leeroy711"] 1984 - To the best of my knowledge, there is still no dvd release availiable for this movie. [/quote] There was one a while ago, but it's indefinitely out of print, and is going for about $60 USED on Amazon. Quite ridiculous...that would be a great one though. I loved the book, have yet to see the movie. " [More]

Criterion Predictions
by leeroy711 in Criterion Collection

hasn't rated it.

"From the Criterion FAQ page: How does Criterion decide which films receive the “Criterion Treatment”? We aim to reflect the breadth of filmed expression. We try not to be restrictive or snobby about what kinds of films are appropriate. An auteur classic, a Hollywood blockbuster, and an independent B horror film each has to be taken on its own terms. All we ask is that each film in the collection be an exemplary film of its kind. Of course we can’t just pick movies and put them out. The process of getting the rights to release a film can take years. Even if we want a film, we can’t work on it unless the film’s owners grant us the rights. Why so few films from South Asia or China?”—and we’re continually working to fill those gaps. So, we've got the discussion of which films we think should get the treatment. Are there any films you guys think will get the treatment. It also seems that Criterion releases titles that typically don't a ... " [More]

Re:Sci-Fi Movies, A-Z
by glowbugg in Movie Games

hasn't rated it.

"Planet of the Apes (1968) [/quote] Planet of the Apes " [More]

Re:Sci-Fi Movies, A-Z
by scswngr in Movie Games

hasn't rated it.

"1984 should count... it is listed as Nineteen Eighty-Four on IMDB.com Outland " [More]

Re: Hannibal Lecter vs Norman B ...
by Puhnner in HORROR MOVIES 101

loved it.

"Here is a link to the NSA ECHELON programhttp://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/ECHELONThere is plenty of information about it out there both on the Net and in Books ( but most probably incomplete, misinformation, disinformation or otherwise compromised ). For all intents and purposes all our electronic communication, landline/cell/internet is monitored, read, analyzed, and otherwise looked upon using Voice Recognition, key word, key phrase ( such as dope, drugs, terrorism...you name it ), although as of this date, I believe conversations via Carrier Pigeon are still unbroken and safe, but who the hell really knows???Like so many USA secret programs i.e.; intercepts of impending Pearl Harbor, cracking Enigma http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E nigma_machine http://www.answers.com/topic/w orld-war-ii-allied-invasion-of -sicily-and-the-man-who-never- was listening and camera posts in Mexico City before, during, and after Oswald's little visit therehttp://www.history-matter s.com/archive/jfk/hs ... " [More]

Re: Top 5 Post-Apocalyptic Films
by josephkuzma in Top 5

liked it.

"A few of my favorite dystopian flicks have been mentioned (Brazil, Planet of the Apes, 12 Monkeys, Soylent Green, A Clockwork Orange) but I'd also like to mention Jubilee (weird but entertaining) and Metropolis (a f**king classic in every sense of the word). I also kinda liked Reign of Fire in that "It's on the SciFi Channel and it's 2am, why not?" sort of way. Logan's Run is one of my favorite pieces of cheeseball 70s crap also. Also: Dark City, 1984 (both versions), Fahrenheit 451, RoboCop.I remembered liking Equilibrium but when I rewatched it with my wife I realize what a steaming pile it really was. Demolition Man is another example of a steaming pile of dystopian (sorta) crap. Idiocracy had a good premise but was just a bad bad bad movie all around (die Dax Shephard, die). And, of course, two of the biggest piles of crap ever: Fortress & THX 1138. " [More]

Re: REMAKES & BOOK ADAPTATI ...
by IronAbacus in movie_maniacs

hasn't rated it.

"Hear, hear! That movie has always been one of my faves, Eurythmics and all. Not a bad piece of writing, either. " [More]

Re: REMAKES & BOOK ADAPTATI ...
by reggie in movie_maniacs

loved it.

"Yes, a great adaptation. This may be the role that John Hurt was born to play, although I guess that's a pretty bleak idea. The movie's tough for me to watch very often, but I manage it every 3 or 4 years. " [More]

Re: REMAKES & BOOK ADAPTATI ...
by HairyLime in movie_maniacs

liked it.

"1. Adaptation - Well, the obvious first choice for adaptation (and the most creative movie adaptation I've seen, although I'm not sure I'd like to be the author).2. L.A. Confidential - They managed to condense a lot of this densley plotted book into an effective movie, at first I was annoyed with its 'Readers Digest' take on Ellroy, but years later, I see it was the right way to go.3. 1984 - both an adaptation and a remake, John Hurt makes a great Winston Smith, the dark industrial atmosphere perfectly captures the feel of the book and Richard Burton gives a great last performance. " [More]

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

liked it.

Filmed during the actual dates in 1984 as described in the book, Michael Radford's adaptation is the preeminent film version of George Orwell's infamous novel. The stark gray settings effectively set the mood of a totalitarian state. John Hurt is a beaten-down Winston, whose weathered face shows every result of his tortured existence, especially during the final devastating scenes with the Thought Police. Suzanna Hamilton does what she can as Julia, bringing some human warmth to the otherwise grim and desolate surroundings. In the last performance before his death, Richard Burton conveys Inner Party member O'Brien with a strange fatherly compassion that makes his sadistic role all the more disturbing. In contrast to some other flashy and visually inventive future dystopia movies, 1984 focuses on the plight of humans with an austere landscape, washed-out colors, and severe close-ups signifying the omnipresence of Big Brother. In general, 1984 faithfully follows the book in story, character, and tone, which makes for an authentic if thoroughly depressing and slow-paced movie. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Tags: government , control , war , dystopian , Orwell
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