chaswe-28402
Although the story was confusing, and didn't seem greatly to resemble what I remember of reading Orwell's gripping masterpiece, I remained transfixed by the way in which the animals behaved, and was kept continually wondering how on earth they had been persuaded to speak and perform in the way they apparently seemed to be doing.Other reviewers have pointed out how the original novel has been traduced, re-written and distorted, and I'm happy to agree with them. But I remain fascinated by the visual trickery. I didn't recognise any of the voices of well-known actors, Ustinov, Scofield, Stewart, etc, although I certainly recognised Postlethwaite from The Usual Suspects. The emphasis on the humans struck me as the most intrusive part of the narrative. The farm setting also impressed me as rurally idyllic. Worth a look for the ingeniously convincing animatronics, but not otherwise.
Manuel-Hoerth
The movie is great... yes it extended the story a bit and updated it a bit so as to extend the allorgy to today's Communist countries. But I think, if Eric Arthur Blair was living today, he would have done the same. It was still true to the book and the original message (as opposed to the 50's movie which sucked).Oh and fables have ALWAYS been regarded as being made for children when in reality they where NEVER made for children - it's just that some adults are too stupid to get what it is really about. So, no this is definitely not for children - well at least children should not be regarded as the target audience.Besides, I love Patrick Stewart and Peter Ustinov.
TheLittleSongbird
George Orwell's novel Animal Farm is a brilliantly written, evocative and powerful work with a wonderful political allegory and strong characters. The 1954 animated film is terrific, it maintains the strong characters and the emotional punch of the book with its only real flaw being missing the point of the ending, the makers thinking it too "downbeat".I will give some credit to this film before explaining my main problems with it. The scenery is beautiful, the animiatronics are good and the voice cast especially Ian Holm is excellent.Sadly, as an adaptation of the book, this version of Animal Farm is pretty poor. Not only is the ending sloppily handled, but there is far too much time spent on the humans and the political allegory that made the book so memorable falls flat here. Whereas the 1954 film's ending missed the point of the book, this version misses it entirely, also the emotional punch is lacking(ie. Boxer being taken away left me cold here). On its own terms it isn't very good either as the film's tone is very uneven. Adults and fans of the book may find it dumbed down and silly, and kids may find it too dark and perhaps sophisticated. The direction is sloppy, the script is very ham-fisted and neither the characters or story are that compelling. The film's pace is variable and never feels right- if anything it is much too rushed, while the film is far too short in its length and the music feels out of place.All in all, incredibly disappointing either as an adaptation or on its own terms. 3/10 Bethany Cox
stefknet
... if you see it without blindfolds... if you see it just as it is, a fairy tale... just for kids... forget the story that supposed to be...If you take it serious like the most does, it is like a bad joke... Orwell have never been in USSR and what he knew about it was from stories that he heard from thirds... thirds like the traitors white Russians that escaped from Russia to england after Bolsheviks victorious revolution...So those stories were groundless and lies... After many years Orwell also proved to be a sting, that wrote down names of maybe communists, like Chaplin's and gave them at a semi secret British agency, so they could run them down... That was Orwell, just a big brother that put mad on the name of real heroes of the people, like comrade's Stalin...
AD
