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STARS...
John Hurt, Richard
Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Cyril Cusack,
and Gregor Fisher.
PLOT SUMMARY...
In a totalitarian society, a meek man becomes involved in an illegal
sexual affair.
QUICK SCAN...
This film could be compared to "The Handmaid's Tale".
John Hurt (Alien) is amazing as the repressed government clerk. In his
final film performance, the late Richard Burton (Equus) shines as an
interrogator for Big Brother. While depressing, the film is a nearly
perfect realization of George Orwell's classic novel.
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DIRECTOR: Michael Radford
YEAR & RATING: 1984 (R)
BEST BETS:
Blade Runner
The Handmaid's Tale
Demolition Man
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SYNOPSIS...
A quiet government clerk spends his days altering history. One day, he
meets a female member of the Anti-Sex League. They are attracted to each
other.
The clerk and the girl sneak off to the park to have sex. Later, they
begin to use their friend's pad for their affair, which is against the
law.
They are turned in and end up in jail. Following their arrest, they squeal
on each other. When they are released they meet. Each announces their
love for "Big Brother." |
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The Review:
Director Michael Radford's 1984, is the only Science Fiction film whose
title is the same as its release year, is a stunningly bleak adaptation
of George Orwell's prophetic novel.
John Hurt ("Alien") plays a timid clerk who works for a future,
totalitarian government. His job involves altering recent newspaper
articles in order to fool the docile, suppressed public. Hurt, whose
appearance suggests someone in the later stages of a terminal ailment,
gives a remarkably sympathetic performance as the pitiful civil servant.
Hurt's wretched life continues as usual, until he encounters a beautiful
girl, Suzanna Hamilton ("Out of Africa"), a member of the
Anti-Sex League. The chemistry created between these two resembles animal
hunger more than human passion. Soon, they use Hurt's security pass
in order to sneak away to a beautiful state run park, where they have
sex. Eventually they are both made to renounce each other, and, reprogrammed,
they are turned into smooth cogs in the Big Brother machine.
Director Michael Radford and Director of Photography Roger Deakins bring
Orwell's powerful novel to life with amazing accuracy. The muted tones
of black and blue and brown, coupled with the decaying buildings of
the city, creates a mood of staggering sadness. The fact that the movie
seems at times to suggest the potential future of the former U.S.S.R.
says a lot about the prophetic vision of Orwell.
Richard Burton ("Equus") in his final screen appearance, is
masterful in his role as interrogator for Big Brother. Unlike some of
his later day movie performances, Burton does not "phone-in"
his performance. Rather, with his old, and tired appearance, as well
as the insinuating tone of his beautiful voice, Burton comes to represent
the overwhelming, unforgiving nature of evil unopposed.
The Musical Score, by The Eurythmics and Dominic Muldowney, is both
martial and sad. Entwined as it is with the visuals, it helps to hauntingly
create a world that is depressing as well as repressive.
1984 should be highly watchable for most Sci-Fi viewers. Fans of the
book will be wowed.
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