framptonhollis This brilliant adaptation of George Orwell's immoral classic of the same name nearly matches its source material in terms of quality (which is quite the achievement, considering the fact that "1984" is by far one of the greatest novels I have ever read). The chilling direction and pitch perfect performances help make this disturbing vision all the more of a truthful gut punch. The fact that such a hard hitting and seemingly over the top story remains entirely relevant in today's chaotic political climate is both a disgrace and a testament to Orwell's genius, and the cinematic capturing of Orwell's classic is one of practically unbeatable quality. While little to nothing is added to the plot, the visual accompaniment of the story enhances its impact. The cinematography is fittingly dull, soaked entirely of the joys o color. The performances are simply perfect, making this one of the few novel adaptations I have seen in which I felt that the actors absolutely nailed their performing of the original work's dialogue. At the center of this terrifying satire is the performance of Richard Burton who is both subtle and mind blowingly horrifying in his indescribably villainous role, while John Hurt provides a sometimes timid, sometimes paranoid, and other times absolutely petrified protagonist that attempts to escape from the norms of the totalitarian society he is forced to live in.While not necessarily a "horror" movie, there is no doubt that "1984" is among the most genuinely SCARY films that I have ever seen. Both the book and film have succeeded in making me shake like drug addicted pepper and salt shakers. The dystopia depicted here accurately displays the horror of an overly controlling and oppressive government system forcing its propaganda upon those below, and outwardly embracing anti-free speech and pro-war beliefs. I must restate how sadly relevant this work remains.

lyrafowlpotter I always recommend that every person read 1984, it is one of the darkest and most depressing stories ever written, I was never required to read it in school, I read it on my own. I just bought it one day while I was traveling across country in a Barnes and Noble, and it certainly changed my perspective and changed my life, in a way, because it changed the way I thought. Both "1984" and "A Brave New World" are based off the novel "We", but if "A Brave New World" is through control of genetics, hedonism, and exposing them to constant stimulation, emotional and otherwise, then 1984 is the other side of the coin, a story about control through absolute coercion and lies, crushing the will. Both exist in perverted society, but they often co-mingle and exist together more than apart, most of modern media exemplifies this well, manipulation of both the truth and emotions.I think it it would be very difficult to ever truly do the book 1984 perfect justice because the vast majority of this story revolves around what we think, and in the case of Wintston, what he knows he should not think, but he cannot help thinking, and doesn't want to stop thinking. This is extremely difficult to convey without a lot more voice overs of Winston's internal monologues or more external dialogue than a film adaptation of 1984 should have, ever. It is also very hard to depict the ever shifting "histories" portrayed in the book "He who controls the past controls the present, he who controls the present controls the future." That is best shown in the movie when Winston ask if Julia believes the resistance is real, and she answers by saying "No. None of it is real." and Winston's thoughts about the truth being erased and changed to a lie and then back again. The movie does a decent job of conveying it, but it is certainly not as effective as the book. What this movie does do well is get is the bleak, dark, depressing, and oppressive tone of the book. The visual look nails exactly what the the book conveys, and Winston looks about as pathetic as he is described in the book. John Hurt does a fantastic job because humans in this world, in a way, are not humans at all, but rather shadows of themselves, and you can see the internal conflict, very slightly, on his face, even as he hides it. Winston was fascinated with the Proles, in the book, because he was fascinated with with freedoms, their seeming joy, even though they were uneducated, and unaware, he was jealous of that lack of awareness and freedom that it gave. This is not something that is conveyed extremely well in this film sadly, as it was an integral part of the book, just as much as his relationship with Julia, the Proles almost take on a mythical proportion to him in the book. Despite those caveats, I still feel this version is the best one out there. It really captures the overall feel of the book fairly well. It feels hopeless and oppressive. The difference between the book and the film is, for me, the middle section of the book, and some part early on, up until the final 1/4, there was a lot of hope in Winston's thoughts. I knew nothing about the outcome or content of the book, and this created a very unique experience, while the film did not match it the first or second time, and I felt at times, lingered away from Winston too much, with images of tanks and explosions. The final act of the film, for me, captured very well the feel of the book, and it made me just as angry watching it, as I felt reading the book, even if the ending is altered a big. I would be curious to see how people whom have never read the book would react to this, but this is one case where I would recommend reading the book first, if because the impact of the book would be reduced a little bit by knowing the majority of the events already. The idea that there is "no truth", and changing history to suit a person's or country's agenda, is extremely prevalent today, telling people they need to believe something that isn't actually true, and will hurt those who do not. The movie still conveys these things well, and I do feel it is worth watching.God Bless ~Amy

learner_good I never read a book and never watched the old version. This movie isn't only about war and power, its about the human's original thought and psychological. It really touch the corner my heart for its beautiful storytelling. The movie is successful to show such complexity of human thought and psychological strength. The beginning of the movie is not much appealing and not much entertaining but it's engaging. And the climax scene has everything.2+2=? the question not much as simple as it used to be. it's feel so unusual but it's very natural for me. We experienced these things in our life and now we used to it. 2+2=4 if it's approved math.I love it.

sreeduttasamanta "Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two equals four." Writes Winston in his diary sitting on a stool in a corner where the telescreen cannot direct what he is doing. Winston lives in a world dominated by telescreens and microphones, a world where people have two hands, two legs and the body of a human, but the mind of a sheep, repeating what has been told by the party and their leader Big Brother, a face with two eyes, but with no identity of the person. In such a world where privacy is a scarce commodity, Winston is the last man with an original brain, which understands the wrongdoings of the party and wants an opportunity to express itself.George Orwell's novel 1984 answer the basic question of our political system- can an individual face the might of the government? The answer is no. An individual, however hard he/she tries cannot face the might of the party and gets decimated ultimately. Such is the story of our character Winston, a citizen of a vast country called Oceania. His only problem is that he is denied the pleasure of ignorance and brainwashing unlike other people; He wants to challenge the power of Big Brother despite knowing that the consequences would be fatal- vaporized from the face of the earth. Winston, urged by his overflowing desire of rebellion, has an affair with a woman called Julia. It was a political act against the party and Big Brother. However, like most situations where world wins and individuals loses, Winston and Julia's rebellion is crushed by brutal force and they are taken into room 101, a place with no dark, but still holding the worst thing of the world. There they are subjected to pain and through pain their love and their yearning to be free is squeezed out- the things which made them a man. Winston understands that 2 plus 2 is not 4, but anything that the party wishes. Sometimes five and sometimes three. This movie by the awesome acting of John Hurt (Winston) Shows that human brain is nothing but a playing toy in the hands of powerful people as is a doll in a child's hands.