Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

Directed by: Michael Radford

Starring: John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a really great movie based on one of the most culturally relevant books of the 20th century. As such, I really don’t feel qualified to say anything about this movie. I mean, thirty minutes ago I was describing Hercules: A Sex Adventure, what could I possibly say here? Just warning you, so you can go read something else.

In a desolate future controlled by the state and a figure named Big Brother, John Hurt falls in love with a woman, which is entirely forbidden. The two of them explore all the emotions and thoughts that the state considers “thoughtcrimes”. Of course, they get caught, and are sent to “rehabilitation”, where they’re tortured and manipulated into accusing each other, confessing to crimes they didn’t commit, and eventually they even love Big Brother.

If you’ve never read the book this is based on, you’re missing out on a lot. If you’re not the reading type (c’mon, you know you want to be the reading type), this movie is a pretty good substitute. John Hurt and Richard Burton are both amazing, and the set design is beautiful. It’s all so dingy and run-down, it builds up this distinctive style that seems so… possible. I think Nineteen Eighty-Four is a perfect example of how powerful science fiction can be, it’s really one of my favorite movies.