Nineteen Eighty-Four ( 1984 ) ( 1984 )

Nineteen Eighty-Four ( 1984 ) (Blu-Ray) (*)

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Original Title: 1984
Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards
Fantasporto Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( DTS-HD Master Audio )
English ( Mono )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( Blu-Ray/Region B )

Running Time:
110 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1984 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Michael Radford

Written By:
George Orwell
Michael Radford

Actors:
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

Synopsis:

A dark tale of human resilience, George Orwell's dystopian vision of a totalitarian future is a landmark of science fiction storytelling. Adapted by Academy Award nominee Michael Radford in 1984, it tells the story of one man's struggle under the constant surveillance of Big Brother. Winston Smith (John Hurt) endures an abject existence in totalitarian Oceania, employed to rewrite the history books for the Ministry of Truth in order to support the current party line and perpetuate a false legacy. Disillusioned by the state of affairs and ill with the burden of lies, his life takes a horrifying turn when he begins a forbidden love affair and commits the crime of independent thought. Sent to the 'Ministry of Love', he is placed at the mercy of O'Brien (Richard Burton), an imperious leader determined to not only control his thoughts but crush his soul. Featuring desaturated cinematography from Roger Deakins and songs by Eurythmics, 1984 is a gripping exploration of a future world where in the words of author George Orwell, 'It's not so much staying alive, it's staying human that's important'.

In the year 1984, rocket bombs and rats prey on the inhabitants of the crumbling metropolis of London. Far away on the Malabar Front, a seemingly interminable war rages against Eastasia. The Ministry of Truth broadcasts ceaselessly to the population via its inescapable network of telescreens. These devices, which pervade all aspects of peoples' lives, are also capable of monitoring their every word and action. They form part of an elaborate surveillance system used by the Ministry of Love, and its dreaded agents the Thought Police, to serve their singular goal: the elimination of 'thoughtcrime'. Winston Smith is a Party worker - part of the vast social caste known as the Outer Party, the rank and file of the sprawling apparatus of government. Winston works in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth - the section charged with modifying historical news archives for consistency. When by chance Winston uncovers incontrovertible proof that the Party is lying, he embarks on a journey of self-questioning. In doing so, he becomes a thought-criminal. Winston begins to notice that a young Party member, Julia, is watching him. She wears the distinctive sash of the ultra-zealous Anti Sex League and Winston fears that she is an informant. However, to his surprise, she reveals herself as a subversive and they embark on an illicit and dangerous relationship. This prompts Winston to explore deeper the blur between propaganda and reality. Ultimately, it leads him to O'Brien - a member of the Inner Party who sets Winston on an irreversible course of discovery.

In 1984, Oceania is an omnipresent state ruled by the Big Brother with a totalitarian society and in permanent war, presently against Eurasia, with intention of keeping the proletariat without education and possibility of capital accumulation. People from the upper classes follow the 'Ingsoc' philosophy and are under permanent surveillance of Big Brother through the 'telescreen' - a monitor that is television and also spies the life of each individual. However, the proletariat is free of the control of the state. The Party has just released the 10th edition of the Newspeak Dictionary, with the intention of reducing the words to make people be limited to express any feeling against the Party. In the 'Minitrue' (Ministry of Truth in Newspeak), the bureaucrat Winston Smith rewrites history to control the future of the party and is quite indifferent to his society. Winston is approached by the party member O'Brien that gives a copy of the new released dictionary to him. When Winston meets the brother Julia, they commit 'sexcrime' and fall in love for each other. But they are captured by the fearful Thought Police and Winston is interrogated and brainwashed by O'Brien that explains the logic of the party to keep the power. But in the end, the human spirit prevails.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 14 June, 2015.

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