1984

Rating:
Summary: read the book
Review: You won't have a f++king clue what this movie is about if you did not read the book. I enjoyed this movie however (I have read the book 8 times) because of the accuracy of the visuals. The people and places in the movie are almost exactly how I pictured them. John Hurt and Richard Burton are excellent but again, you won't know why unless you have read the book. Did I mention that you need to read the book before attempting to view this movie?

Rating:
Summary: Worth seeing; a faithful rendition
Review: Usually, science fiction novels that are translated into film usually have their themes altered to suit the filmmaker's own vision (e.g.,Lynch's DUNE). However, I feel this film breaks that sad tradition and actually moves both the plot points and the themes from page to screen. The acting is excellent all around (although I personally feel that Burton's portrayal of O'Brien, though more than competent, is a strange take on that character). This is well worth seeing.

Rating:
Summary: Book was better
Review: I have read 1984 the book several times and I just finished watching the movie. In my opinion the movie left much to be desired. At least it didn't gang-rape the book -- it followed the plot and even the ending -- but the movie left too many things out and I get the impression that unless you've read the book you wouldn't be able to understand it. You can't really make a decent movie out of 1984 anyway. I do like the movie for being able to capture the setting of Oceania so well, though, that's why I give it two stars not one.

Rating:
Summary: A HORRORFIC VISION
Review: This one would be laughably silly if it wasn't so believable. Winston and Julia want to make it. Thats all. They don't want to bother anyone, just mind thier own business. But the government doesn't like it. They are suspicious. BLEAK hardly describes this creepy presentation of the future/past. Only when they agree that two plus two equals five, are they permitted to return to society. Ofcourse, they must ignore each other. This story has been the focus of endless doctoral dissertations. One of those rare works that actually changes the way you think. After watching this movie, your definition of PARANOID will change forever. Its time to feed your rat.

Rating:
Summary: Very good, great, but a few things could have been better
Review: This movie was good, but without reading the book you would not understand it. Also, I think they could have found a better Big Brother. Overall, Very Good!

Rating:
Summary: Massive waste of literary milestone
Review: If you've read George Orwell's masterpiece steer way clear of this poorly realized film. It's as if the director and all the actors involved with this were so consumed with getting the context and the atmosphere right that they completely forgot about the most important feature -- the story! John Hurt and Richard Burton are undeniable talents but they never come close to capturing any of the intense chemistry that exists in the book between Winston and O'Brien. They are simply going through the motions. And while I realize things must be changed for brevity when making the jump from paper to celluloid the gaping ommissions in the story are inexcusable. They just leave those who've not read the book confused and those who have frustrated. The two stars I gave it are for the look of the picture which really does capture the feel of Oceania. Too bad none of the actors are able to capture anything of the characters. If interested in 1984, read the book or listen to an audiobook. I bought an abridged version of the audiobook read by British actor John Nettles and it was marvelous.

Rating:
Summary: A visually stunning, faithful adaptation of the book.
Review: This movie, a favorite of mine, is one of the best film adaptations of a novel I've ever seen. While a film of roughly two hours can only hope to scratch the surface of a novel as complex as "1984", this movie provides a good distillation of the book. It's all here, from the book's oppressive atmosphere of hopelessness and paranoia, to its timeless theme of the individual against the system. 1984 is a visually stunning movie you won't want to miss, particularly if you liked the book. (WARNING: Several people I know who hadn't read the book prior to seeing the movie found it confusing and boring, so if you haven't read the book yet, you may want to put off watching the movie until you've done so.)

The acting is first rate. John Hurt does an excellent job as the protagonist, Winston Smith (?), who wages a futile yet heroic battle against Big Brother. And Richard Burton is masterful as the cold, sadistic party leader who interrogates and eventually breaks Winston. (Incidentally, this was Richard Burton's last film role, and the movie is dedicated to his memory.)

The music, composed in part by the Eurythmics (get the soundtrack; it's some of their best work), is haunting, and stays with you long after viewing the movie (Juuulllliiiiiaaaaa.....).

One interesting note: the movie was filmed in the year 1984, in and around London, the exact time period and setting of the novel.

Don't miss this movie. It's a modern classic!

Rating:
Summary: Horrible, atrocious, foul, and vile to say the least!
Review: John Hurt ought to be ashamed for attempting to be in a movie like 1984. This is probably the worst rendition of a book made for the screen. 1984 is too complex, too moving, and too important to make a movie out of. The concepts in the book are not here, first of all. And THAT is a crime. Next, the actors (with the exeption of Burton) plain suck. I don't understand why Hurt, such a talented actor, could be so awful in this motion picture. An insult, finally. This movie is an insult to one of the greatest works of literature of all times. Lord have mercy on the souls of those involved in the making of this film. END

Rating:
Summary: 1984-spectacularly unpredictable and creatively executed
Review: I tremendously enjoyed this book. At times I found it somewhat difficult to follow due to the exceptionally abstract concepts of a strict totalitarian government to which I am not accustomed. While descriptively and extraordinarily illustrating the dark and corrupt Oceania, I kept noticing references Orwell made to the color red. The color red, the color of Communism. Whether it was a crimson sash worn by Party members before a telescreen or a character1s pink complection or the scarlett scarf worn by the children who were being trained to literally spy on their parents or one who may stray from the unidimensional Communist ideaology--red was a prevailing theme throughout. I found this quite disturbing and was reminded of a pack of hungry, salivating Dobermans attacking a piece of raw, tender meet that was not nearly large enough for all of them to share. Even more shocking perhaps was the surprise I recieved at the revelation of O1Brien1s true character. I found it as unsettling as running on a treadmill only to realize you have not moved from your original position. I was overcome with disappointment and sympathized greatly with Winston at this point. Finally, I was quite pleased that Orwell chose not to make the protaganist triumphant, but rather to convert him into yet another brainwashed victim of Big Brother. I felt that genuinely illustrated the truth and severity of socialist corruption in a totolitarian society. The good guy does not always win and finally, someone had the tenacity to show it! END

Rating:
Summary: An interesting take on Orwell's classic negative Utopia
Review: Orwell's classic depiction of a totalitarianist government opressing society to the brink of stupidity, and the disheartening tale of Winston Smith's defeat in his fight against the system, is depicted in this enlightening film, with John Hurt portraying a demure, sullen Smith. The film's plot follows suit to the novel's quite religiously, with only minor changes made to suit the traversal from the mind's eye to the big screen; Big Brother is as you would expect: menacing, imposing, consuming. Smith also fits one's mental picture: tired, repressed, possessing only a few glimmers of hope enveloped in a thick blue fabric of depression. The scenario, costuming, and effects are fitting to the book. While not overpowering the viewer, they communicate the atmosphere that the Party has created, from the dark alleys in the prole section to the foreboding building, the Ministry of Truth, that Winston is tortured in. The film only falls short of its mark in the field of intensity. At times, Orwell stresses his characters in situations almost unimaginable to the mind's eye; in the film, these same situations are portrayed rather apathetically. Artistic rights aside, the depiction could have included more of Orwell's original thematic interplay with Winston's tortururous ordeals after being captured. Nevertheless, the film is an excellent depiction of the novel, and is an artistic work of its own merit. END