Animal Farm (1955)

Home Vision does justice to Halas and Batchelor

Dark, disturbing, and very European, _Animal Farm_ marked an auspicious feature debut from Britain's Halas and Batchelor animation studio. The film was produced by "March of Time" newsreel mogul Louis de Rochemont, and partly financed by the CIA (though by all accounts the CIA had no editorial control over the finished product).

In adapting George Orwell's anti-Stalinist beast fable for the screen, Halas and Batchelor dropped several minor characters, jettisoned most of the humor, and created a new finale -- which, though slightly more optimistic than the novel, hardly qualifies as a happy ending. Orwell purists have never forgiven them, even though this version of _Animal Farm_ succeeds admirably on its own terms.

Avoid cheap public-domain copies: Home Vision Entertainment's edition is the one to buy, with an in-depth television documentary, a thoughtful if overenthusiastic commentary from Brian Sibley, excellent liner notes, and a first-rate full-frame transfer.

Despite a few Disneyesque moments, _Animal Farm_ is not suitable for children. April 22, 2008

Political Satire in Cartoon form.

The animation of this low budget 1954 British cartoon Film isn't in the same league as Disney's extravaganza's of the same period.

But what it lacks in polish it more then makes up for in substance.

~~~~

The long suffering animals of Manor Farm have finally had enough of farmer Jones's abuses,and launch a revolution.

Driving him out,and off the farm.

But for the animals this is the start of something much worse.

~~~~

George Orwell(a Democratic Socialist)and life long member of the Independent Labour party,wrote this Anti-Stalinist Allergory not as a satire against Marxism(Orwell agreed with many of Marx's policies,and respected Lenin.)but about the corruption of the Stanlinist years.

Millions of ordinary Russian's suffered and perished under his tyranny.

To Help people whom may have not read this excellent book.

Here's a list of the Main characters,and whom they represent.

Farmer Jones = Nicolas 2nd of Russia.

Napoleon = Stalin.

Snowball = Trotsky.

Napoleon's personal bodygaurd = The K.G.B.

Squealer = Pravda.

Boxer = A tragic Avatar of the Russian working class.

Benjamin = Russian Jews.

Old Major = A mixture of Lenin & Marx.

Mr Fredrick = Adolf Hitler.

Mr Pilkington = The UK & US.

~~~~

When Napoleon replaces the song,"Beasts of England" with the deliberately inane "Animal Farm",this is meant to reflect when Stanlin replaced

"The Internationale" with the "Hymn of the Soviet Union".

The ending of the film is much more upbeat then the Novel as it has the Animals revolting against Napoleon's regime.

But as what's happened to the Soviet Union since 1989,I'd say the Film is more accurate.

The royalties from the book gave Mr Orwell a comfortable living for the rest of his life.

First published UK 17/8/45,US 26/8/46.

Time Magazine has had this Novel in it's all time 100 best books since published.

A Good Film and Book.Strongly Recommended.

May 21, 2007

A Powerful Cartoon

Animal Farm, based on a novel by George Orwell, is ostensibly about a group of animals who rebel against the drunken farmer who owns them, and abuses them. They begin running the farm themselves. Their revolution is corrupted into tyranny which eventually becomes worse than the human farmer's regime.
A not-so-veiled criticism of totalitarianism under Stalin, many events portrayed in the DVD correspond to real events that took place in the Soviet Union.
If there's one thing wrong with this film, it's the ending. Orwell wrote an ending that was biting and necessary. By giving the film an upbeat ending, it somewhat undermines a first rate film. But I can't ignore the power of the previous 73 minutes, so I'm still recommending it. July 29, 2006

God Bless You Mr. Orwell!

His legacy to us; Animal Farm, 1984, Down and Out in London and Paris, Keep the Aspidistra Flying; and so many other good stories is an incredible treasure trove. Here's hoping that those who watch this cartoon take a few hours, and read these books. Surprisingly easy reading too; George Orwell always felt that to say something clearly was most important. His ideas tend to stick with you. This movie version of Animal Farm is true to the book with the exception of the ending. The live action 1999 movie was not as good as this version and also suffers from a misleading ending. With the movie 1984 the book is better than either movie versions. After reading Down and Out, you'll never look at a restaurant the same way; and Aspidistra is about selling books - and living free; sort of like the modern drop out from society who still will work an undemanding job that leaves his soul free. Down and Out is similar in this sense. In fact all of these titles have living free as a central core theme. Even when the animal society fails the attempt was noble, and the revolution was inspired by freedom. Even when 1984's Winston sits arrested in a totalitarian world, he has never the less lived his life seeking freedom, and you get the idea others like him exist there in that world. This DVD is an incredible restoration with listenable sound. Enjoy! God bless you Mr. Orwell! April 23, 2006

A Fine Film - But Not For Kids

Animal Farm, based on a novel by George Orwell, is ostensibly about a group of animals who rebel against the drunken farmer who owns them, and abuses them. They begin running the farm themselves. Their revolution is corrupted into tyranny which eventually becomes worse than the human farmer's regime.

A not-so-veiled criticism of totalitarianism under Stalin, many events portrayed in the DVD correspond to real events that took place in the Soviet Union. However, the DVD may be understood as a critique of totalitarianism, no matter where or when it appears.

Maurice Denham, the Mel Blanc of England, performed the voices of all the animals in the film. It is worth seeing the DVD for that alone. February 26, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...