Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

Director:

Michael Radford

Writers:

George Orwell (novel)
Michael Radford (written by)

Release Date:

14 December 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

George Orwell's Terrifying Vision Comes To The Screen.

Plot:

George Orwell's novel of a totalitarian future society in which a man whose daily work is rewriting history tries to rebel by falling in love.

Plot Keywords:

Future | 1984 | Propaganda | Big Brother | Sex

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 6 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

John Hurt	...	Winston Smith
Richard Burton	...	O'Brien
Suzanna Hamilton	...	Julia
Cyril Cusack	...	Charrington
Gregor Fisher	...	Parsons
James Walker	...	Syme
Andrew Wilde	...	Tillotson
David Trevena	...	Tillotson's Friend
David Cann	...	Martin
Anthony Benson	...	Jones
Peter Frye	...	Rutherford
Roger Lloyd-Pack	...	Waiter (as Roger Lloyd Pack)
Rupert Baderman	...	Winston as a Boy
Corinna Seddon	...	Winston's Mother
Martha Parsey	...	Winston's Sister
Merelina Kendall	...	Mrs. Parsons
P.J. Nicholas	...	William Parsons
Lynne Radford	...	Susan Parsons
Pip Donaghy	...	Inner Party Speaker
Shirley Stelfox	...	Whore
Janet Key	...	Instructress
Hugh Walters	...	Artsem Lecturer
John Hughes	...	Man in White Coat
Robert Putt	...	Shouting Prole
Christine Hargreaves	...	Soup Lady
Garry Cooper	...	Guard
Matthew Scurfield	...	Guard
John Golightly	...	Patrolman
Rolf Saxon	...	Patrolman
Ole Oldendorp	...	Eurasian Soldier
Eddie Stacey	...	Executioner
Norman Bacon	...	Man on Station
John Foss	...	Youth Leader
Carey Wilson	...	Party Member
Mitzi McKenzie	...	Party Member
Phyllis Logan	...	The Telescreen Announcer
Pam Gems	...	The Washerwoman
Joscik Barbarossa	...	Aaronson
John Boswall	...	Goldstein
Bob Flag	...	Big Brother
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Annie Lennox	...	Cameo (uncredited)
Michael Munn	...	Interrogation Room Soldier (uncredited)

Directed by
Michael Radford

Writing credits
George Orwell		(novel 1984)
Michael Radford		(written by)

Produced by
Al Clark	....	co-producer
John Davis	....	associate producer
Robert Devereux	....	co-producer
Simon Perry	....	producer
Marvin J. Rosenblum	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Dominic Muldowney

Cinematography by
Roger Deakins

Film Editing by
Tom Priestley

Casting by
Rebecca Howard

Production Design by
Allan Cameron

Art Direction by
Martyn Hebert		(as Martin Hebert)
Grant Hicks

Costume Design by
Emma Porteus		(as Emma Porteous)

Makeup Department
Anna Dryhurst	....	makeup artist
Paula Gillespie	....	hairdressing supervisor
Mary Hillman	....	makeup supervisor
Stephanie Kaye	....	hairdresser
Debbie Scragg	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Tony Hopkins	....	production supervisor: Wiltshire
Gladys Pearce	....	production manager
Paul Shersby	....	unit manager
Paul Sparrow	....	production manager: second unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stephen Brown	....	assistant director: Wiltshire locations
John Dodds	....	second assistant director
David Keating	....	assistant director (as Dave Keating)
Patrick Kinney	....	third assistant director
Crispin Reece	....	assistant director: Wiltshire locations
Chris Rose	....	first assistant director
Kevin Westley	....	additional third assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
John Allenby	....	property master
Eddie Andres	....	art department assistant
Royce Baxter	....	draughtsman
Mark Fruin	....	propman
John Godfrey	....	construction manager
Amanda Grenville	....	art department assistant
Harry Harrison	....	stand-by crew
Jeff Khan	....	stand-by crew
Pat Lynch	....	stand-by crew
Kieron Mcnamara	....	chargehand propman (as Kieron Macnamara)
Simon Murton	....	sketch artist
Mark Raggett	....	assistant art director
Peter Rutherford	....	production buyer
Tony Strong	....	scenic artist
Sid Sutton	....	graphic designer
Bill Wolohan	....	stand-by crew

Sound Department
Bill Barringer	....	assistant sound editor
Gerry Bates	....	sound assistant
Joe Gallagher	....	assistant sound editor
Derek Holding	....	dialogue editor
Gerry Humphreys	....	dubbing mixer: Twickenham Film Studios
Colin Miller	....	sound editor
Robin O'Donoghue	....	dubbing mixer: Twickenham Film Studios
Trevor Pyke	....	re-recording mixer
Guido Reidy	....	boom operator
Bryan Tilling	....	effects editor
Bruce White	....	sound mixer

Special Effects by
David Scholefield	....	special effects assistant
Ian Scoones	....	special effects supervisor
Andrew Thompson	....	special effects technician
Chris Verner	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Ray Caple	....	matte artist
Tony Willis	....	effects cameraman (uncredited)

Stunts
Eddie Stacey	....	stunt coordinator
Terry Walsh	....	stunt coordinator
Bill Weston	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
James Ainslie	....	focus puller
Mike Andrews	....	camera grip
Roger Deakins	....	camera operator
John Haylen	....	chargehand electrician
John Higgins	....	chief electrician
Michael James	....	chargehand electrician
Dick Pope	....	camera operator: second unit
Sarah Quill	....	still photographer
Andrew Speller	....	camera operator: second unit
Andrew Speller	....	senior focus puller
Phil St. John	....	supervising rigger
Fraser Taggert	....	clapper loader (as Fraser Taggart)

Casting Department
Jane Arnell	....	assistant casting director

Costume and Wardrobe Department
John Brady	....	wardrobe supervisor
Cynthea Dowling	....	wardrobe assistant
Philippe Pickford	....	wardrobe supervisor
Noel Radford	....	wardrobe assistant
Colin Wilson	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Nicolette Bolgar	....	assistant editor
Neil Farrell	....	assistant editor
Nicolas Gaster	....	associate editor
Simon Harris	....	assistant editor
Éva Martin	....	assistant editor (as Eva Martin)
Polly Moseley	....	associate editor

Music Department
Dick Lewzey	....	mixer: CTS Studios

Other crew
Beryl Brown	....	assistant accountant
Lynne Buckley	....	unit nurse
Simon Cellan Jones	....	production runner (as Simon Cellan-Jones)
Paul Collard	....	original research: Kay Laboratories
David Corke	....	rat handler
Richard Craven	....	location manager
Robin Dalton	....	project development
Mary Davies	....	assistant to producer
Jonathan Gems	....	additional script material
John Hemmings	....	laboratory executive: Kay Laboratories
Sandra Nixon	....	cashier
Sarah O'Brien	....	production assistant
Sarah Rains	....	cutting room runner
Jack Ross	....	crowd coordinator
Jack Smith	....	production accountant
Charles Staffell	....	technical supervisor
Rebecca Starr	....	accounts secretary
Sue Sudbury	....	film researcher
Ann Tasker	....	unit publicist
Margaret Waldie	....	continuity: second unit
Margaret Waldie	....	production coordinator
Gerard Wall	....	floor runner
Ene Watts	....	continuity

Thanks
Richard Burton	....	acknowledgment: with love and admiration
Burton W. Kanter	....	special thanks
Gina Rosenblum	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Umbrella-Rosenblum Films Production
• Virgin

Distributors

• Atlantic Releasing Corporation (1984) (USA) (theatrical)
• Senator Film (1984) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Norstar Releasing (1985) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Image Entertainment (1985) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MCA Distributing Corp. (1985) (USA) (VHS) (In conjunction with I.V.E.)
• USA Home Video (II) (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• USA Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• USA IVE (1985) (USA) (VHS) (in conjunction with MCA)
• International Video Entertainment (IVE) (1996) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Lume Filmes (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Roadshow Home Video
• Top Tape (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Airstrip One Company, The  soundtrack album (1999)

Also Known As:

1984 (UK) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:18 (1984) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (f) | Canada:13+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Alexandra Palace Way, London, England, UK

Company:

Umbrella-Rosenblum Films Production

Trivia:

The Oceanian soldiers in the film are wearing Soviet Red Army helmets, painted black.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the rack torture scene, O'Brien removes Winston's front tooth. Later, in the rat mask torture scene, his tooth is back again. (However, in the book, Winston given dentures after O'Brien pulled the tooth, but this was not explained in the movie.)

Quotes:

[first lines]
Big Brother: [voiceover] This is our land. A land of peace and of plenty. A land of harmony and hope. This is our land. Oceania. These are our people. The workers, the strivers, the builders. These are our people. The builders of our world, struggling, fighting, bleeding, dying. On the streets of our cities and on the far-flung battlefields. Fighting against the mutilation of our hopes and dreams. Who are they?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Are You Being Served?: Big Brother (#2.4)" (1974)

Soundtrack:

Oceania,'Tis For Thee

Brilliant adaption of a classic novel.

Despite what one reviewer states here, 1984 is an extremely important literary work. It explains to the reader what the ultimate facist state would be like. This story is never more important than now, with the world in crisis. It is an absolute must that people read or see 1984. Other films have been made about fascism. One of the most notable examples being Pier Pasolini's Salo. But the problem is hardly anyone is going to see that except for weirdo's or film buffs. This is because of the graphic nature of the film. Besides, Salo was explaining the inherently depraved, decadent nature of fascism. Orwell's 1984 explains the mechanisms that invoke totalitarianism.

John Hurt is excellent as the main character. I am quite a fan. The film is also very well made. The bleakness of the book is perfectly captured by the director. You feel sympathy for the characters even though they seem far away because they appear so weary, yet willing to hope. Transcendence is hinted at when there is a scene where Hurt looks out and sees a wilderness instead of a prison. Hurt's character, Winston looks like he is about half dead! You really hope that Winston and Julia can pull off a passionate love affair. Although you know that it is doomed and is more of an act of rebellion against big brother than anything else. The setting is a land that is half destroyed because of the constant wars. The wars being yet another method of control. They tell us in psychology that in war, depression and other similar disorders actually go down! Interesting eh? The start where everyone sits watching the screens and begins to scream at images of the enemy. This is a great moment in the film that shows a kind of utter conformity through extreme social norms. The most effective form of brainwashing.

The problem with the film, like the book, is that people will find it too bleak and horrific to really appreciate it. It is depressing but this is the horror of totalitarianism. The material is not intended to be a walk in the park. One of the most striking and horrific instances of 1984 is the 2+2 does not equal 4 scene. The torture and brainwashing too achieve utter obedience. Richard 'my voice competes with Orson Welles' Burton, who normally pontificates and chews up the scenery is remarkably restrained here. This restraint is the key to a very good performance. These torture scenes are horrific and Hurt really shines. This guy should have got an Oscar! The scenes had me gasping...When I originally read the book it took a while for me to get over the rats. EWWWWWWW!

Looking at the overall rating of 1984 I am just totally surprised that this film has such a low rating. Maybe people would rate the novel exactly the same way because of the material. This brings me too my other quibble. The film does not TOTALLY cover all of the novels themes. In fact, although Suzanna Hamilton puts on a good performance, her character is not completely captured. Viewers must remember that literature and cinema are two completely different mediums. There is no such thing as a 100 percent adaption. Therefore you must rate the film on the usual cinematic features. But the main thing is how well the overall message of the story was transmitted. This film powerfully demonstrates Orwell's message!

What is weird is one of the reviewers here states that they did not like the nudity. Well, I'm guessing the director was going for a Adam and Eve state with their being naked out in the woods. This is obviously the complete opposite of the unnatural state they have to live in. It does not cheapen the film and points more to the reviewers own repressed desires. Reaction formation perhaps? Besides no one is going to get this for naked bodies when porn is so freely available from your local video store!

Consider how relevant this story is. How propaganda and public relations has never been more prevalent. How public relations has overtaken journalism, causing journalism to become more and more watered down. How the political economy of the media is now being hugely influenced by being based in a monopoly economy. A few now control the flow of information for the general population in western nations. This is not conspiracy theory, this is fact. True investigative journalism is at an all time low and the media itself is in a shocking state of affairs. Like everything in our capitalist system, it is controlled by money. Ever read Michel Foucault? Dominant hegemonies, discourse analysis, bla bla bla. I don't want to get all crusty and academic here. But Rupert Murdoch is rubbing his hands together. Time and time again, the United States has been shown to be patently false about why they engaged in conflict with Iraq. Just read John Pilger! Yet many Americans supported the conflict. Even believing chemical weapons were used on American troops, when no such event took place! Why? Because they were manipulated by a sophisticated propaganda machine.

Knowledge is power. That is why in 1984 language is being systematically destroyed. This denial of language is the denial of thought itself. Reality is then more easily shaped by the oppressor. Remember dictators, such as Pol Pot destroy the educated first. This is why the film and book are so important, they are still very RELEVANT! In fact I think the progression of western society will become a mixture of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and 1984. Either way we are being manipulated and controlled and these books show you how. America has the 'Patriot Act' that was rushed through congress although human rights groups had many serious doubts about the act. In New Zealand we have a Government that is similary becoming too involved in the regulation of peoples lives. BIG BROTHER IS STILL ALIVE!

I give this film a 10 and think the last scene with Hurt looking so haunted in the bar/coffee place was awesome! GREAT, GREAT BOOK! GREAT, GREAT FILM!

I have had a bit of a rant here...But hey I really like the book and this version of the film! So why not? This is a film for rebels!