Tuesday, May 09, 2017

Forgotten Movies: 1984




This version of the movie was made in 1984 and starred John Hurt, Suzanna Hamilton and Richard Burton. It was directed by Michael Radford. It is very faithful to the book. Winston is a low-level bureaucratic who is following the rules of Big Brother until he falls in love with Julia (Suzanna Hamilton) and begins to question them. He and Julia are whisked away, tortured, reeducated, and find themselves entirely indoctrinated by the end. Horribly depressing and meant as a commentary on Stalinist Russia at the time of the book's printing (1949), Orwell really socks it to you. And,  of course, you can't help but see parallels with today.The book and movie are newly popular.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

A very timely post, Patti. That book has a lot to keep us all thinking, and so does the film...

Jeff Meyerson said...

The theatrical version is opening on Broadway in June.

Unknown said...

Soundtrack by Eurythmics.

George said...

1984 is showing up on a lot of BOOK CLUB lists.

pattinase (abbott) said...

You know I didn't even notice the music I was so horrified.

Jeff Meyerson said...

We're living the "alternative facts" every day with this administration.

Charles Gramlich said...

I thought it was quite powerful

pattinase (abbott) said...

Knock you off your feet, powerful.

Al Tucher said...
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Casual Debris said...

Sadly, Sir John Hurt passed away in January. He embodied Winston Smith.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Too young!