Cast: John Hurt, Suzanna Hamilton, Richard Burton, Cyril Cusack
I've been wanting to watch this film for about a week now, after having read the novel and enjoyed it. I've heard it's very accurate, so let's see how it goes!
PLOT: Winston Smith (John Hurt) is a thirty-nine-year-old depressed, oppressed citizen living in Airstrip One (the UK) in the super state of Oceania, which combines the Americas, New Zealand and the British Isles. He works for the Ministry of Records, producing goods for INGSOC, English Socialism, headed by Big Brother. The government is totalitarian, with two-way "telescreens" that watch an Outer Party citizen's every move, scarce food and awful living conditions. He meets a fellow Outer Party member, Julia (Suzanna Hamilton), and the two fall in love, using sex as rebellion. Eventually, however, they are captured and tortured and Winston loves Big Brother, and Julia no longer loves him.
REVIEW: As with any film adaptation, if you haven't read the book, do so before watching the movie. The beginning of the film is absolutely haunting and serves to drive home the message that Orwell sought to tell. The music is amazing, one of the most beautiful film scores I've ever heard. The settings are dark and depressing, setting the mood. There are some funny moments, hard to believe, such as Winston's dejected Napoleon Dynamite-ish face when he wakes up in the morning to do his morning exercises. The film is a bit scary at times due to its dark imagery and attention to face detail (see: the prostitute Winston visits). All in all, the film stays true to the book and really puts into vision the picture of this totalitarian society that Orwell had in mind. 5/5
Trailer (the entire film is available on Amazon Prime Instant):
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