Watch 1984

Sometimes listed as Nineteen Eighty-Four in online film directories, is arguably the best film version of the infamous novel by George Orwell. The film has been hailed as cinematic genius, then given the brush off by many critics. It ironically was also the film version to be released in the year 1984, something to take note of for historical value. It is the decidedly dystopian motion picture and owes much to the screenplay and direction as written by Michael Radford. A purist and dark look at the world from a bleak perspective, or less than hopeful for the future of humanity. The film does not deviate greatly from the original novel and is true to the vision of George Orwell. 1984 is essentially a tale of a man named Winston Smith. He is an ordinary citizen living in Oceania, a modern country living under the current totalitarian governmental regime. This powerful and ever growing new world government is known by most as Big Brother. Staring John Hurt as Winston Smith. Smith's lover and comrade is played by actress. Both give outstanding screen performances and are true to the characters, as portrayed in the original novel. Also in the film as a primary character named O'Brien is famed actor Richard Burton. This would end up being Burton's last motion picture role before his death. Orwell's widow, Sonia Brownell agreed to this newest version of the film, just before dying in 1980. She allowed film production to proceed, but only with the agreement to have no usage of special effects that were blatantly futuristic.