1984 [VHS]
starring: John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Cyril Cusack, Gregor Fisher
directed by: Michael Radford
directed by: Michael Radford
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Price: $99.97
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Michael Radford's adaption of George Orwell's foreboding literary premonition casts John Hurt and Suzanna Hamilton as lovers who must keep their courtship secret.Aside from criminalizing sex and interpersonal relationships, the ruling party in their country Oceania both fabricates reality and reconstructs history for the sake of oppressing the masses.They brainwash their citizens via large, propaganda-spewing TV monitors installed in their living rooms, which also inspect everyone's activities. Hurt and Hamilton are among the few we see desperately trying to fight the system by keeping control of their thoughts and beliefs.While the atmosphere becomes a bit too stifling at times, the images are quite striking with their muted colors and dilapidated sets. In an interesting bit of casting, Richard Burton costars (in his final role) as a government agent who surreptitiously exposes Hurt to the ideas of resistance. Unlike many like-minded films, 1984 does not offer a flashy vision of the future, but then that aspect makes it feel all the more real. In an age when more and more of our everyday activities are being scrutinized, Big Brother may not be so far off after all. --Bryan Reesman
Michael Radford's adaption of George Orwell's foreboding literary premonition casts John Hurt and Suzanna Hamilton as lovers who must keep their courtship secret.Aside from criminalizing sex and interpersonal relationships, the ruling party in their country Oceania both fabricates reality and reconstructs history for the sake of oppressing the masses.They brainwash their citizens via large, propaganda-spewing TV monitors installed in their living rooms, which also inspect everyone's activities. Hurt and Hamilton are among the few we see desperately trying to fight the system by keeping control of their thoughts and beliefs.While the atmosphere becomes a bit too stifling at times, the images are quite striking with their muted colors and dilapidated sets. In an interesting bit of casting, Richard Burton costars (in his final role) as a government agent who surreptitiously exposes Hurt to the ideas of resistance. Unlike many like-minded films, 1984 does not offer a flashy vision of the future, but then that aspect makes it feel all the more real. In an age when more and more of our everyday activities are being scrutinized, Big Brother may not be so far off after all. --Bryan Reesman
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- A Horrible Adaptation of a Classic Novel
In many respects, this adaptation of George Orwell's "1984" should stand out as an example of how you don't adapt a novel for the big screen. No film version can ever match the depth and detail of the original novel upon which it is based, but when a film is done this badly it demands an answer the obvious question, "What was the director thinking?"
To be fair, I like director Michael Radford's treatment of the external world of London as bleak and almost lifeless, although I think that ... Read More
Rating: 
- 1984 "1984"
Fairly good movie (1984 made in "1984"), better then the 1956 version of 1984 but still not worth the $40 + price tag!
Rating: 
- Being A Minority Of One Does Not Make You Mad
1984 is simply one of the best filmed adaptions of any novel.This particular version filmed in 1984 works so well on so many levels that one is led from one scene to another in a manner that leaves one breathless even for those familiar with the book by George Orwell.Let me begin with a rarely mentioned level of criticism--the quality of the film itself.Though shot in color, director Michael Radford was careful to mute the colors such that what the audience sees seems more black and white, thus ... Read More
Rating: - Great Buy
This product came in very good condition and was just in time for a birthday present. Thank you!
Rating: - Amazon Service/Seller Integrity
I odered this product on October 18, 2008 and I have still not received it. I contacted Amazon twice but they kept referring me to the seller. I emailed the seller twice but I never received a reply. It seems that Amazon is pretty good at serving the seller because they made sure that the seller got my money right away. However, I was extremely disappointed with Amazon's inability or refusal to help me get what I paid for. So, I've given up in this matter and I'll charge the money I've lost to experience ... Read More
- A Horrible Adaptation of a Classic NovelIn many respects, this adaptation of George Orwell's "1984" should stand out as an example of how you don't adapt a novel for the big screen. No film version can ever match the depth and detail of the original novel upon which it is based, but when a film is done this badly it demands an answer the obvious question, "What was the director thinking?"
To be fair, I like director Michael Radford's treatment of the external world of London as bleak and almost lifeless, although I think that ... Read More
- 1984 "1984"Fairly good movie (1984 made in "1984"), better then the 1956 version of 1984 but still not worth the $40 + price tag!
- Being A Minority Of One Does Not Make You Mad1984 is simply one of the best filmed adaptions of any novel.This particular version filmed in 1984 works so well on so many levels that one is led from one scene to another in a manner that leaves one breathless even for those familiar with the book by George Orwell.Let me begin with a rarely mentioned level of criticism--the quality of the film itself.Though shot in color, director Michael Radford was careful to mute the colors such that what the audience sees seems more black and white, thus ... Read More
- Great BuyThis product came in very good condition and was just in time for a birthday present. Thank you!
- Amazon Service/Seller IntegrityI odered this product on October 18, 2008 and I have still not received it. I contacted Amazon twice but they kept referring me to the seller. I emailed the seller twice but I never received a reply. It seems that Amazon is pretty good at serving the seller because they made sure that the seller got my money right away. However, I was extremely disappointed with Amazon's inability or refusal to help me get what I paid for. So, I've given up in this matter and I'll charge the money I've lost to experience ... Read More
