1984 film by Michael Radford

 Like most people (I assume) I learned about George Orwell in High School. I was never interested in reading Animal Farm, but 1984 sounded interesting. If I recall correctly, I checked it out of our HS library, read it, and while I may not have loved it - it stuck with me. I don't know when I read it but I think it pre-1984 the year. Then again, I may have been inspired by the Eurythmics album to read the book. I honestly don't remember. Either way, I never saw the film directed by Michael Radford till I was out of college. I don't remember it playing in Tokyo, or seeing it available to rent on VHS. However a friend had a VHS copy that I borrowed and I thought it was quite good.

It is now readily available on DVD from the Criterion Collection. Restored under supervision by the cinematographer Roger Deakins, it is quite something to see. In case you don't know the story, it takes place in 1984 - a post-war environment (which makes sense considering it was written in 1948), in a placed named Oceania. There are three countries; Oceania which covers all of the Americas (South, North, Canada, Caribbean, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and the southern part of Africa), Eurasia (Europe, majority of the Soviet Union [at the time]), and Eastasia (China, Japan, Korea, and northern India). These three countries are all constantly at war over the rest of the world (disputed territories). You are introduced to this word through the eyes, and by the words of Winston Smith (played by John Hurt). He gets involved with a woman named Julia (Suzanna Hamilton) which is against the rules and results in what they call sexcrime - this is newspeak which is a very truncated rewritten form of English. All of Oceania is watched by Big Brother through screens and cameras in every room, every corner. There is also a character working for Big Brother named O'Brien played by Richard Burton (in one of his last roles). 

It is a dark film but fascinating to watch. The visuals are very early post-apocalyptic as it is all concrete and ruins, overcast skies unless you get out of the City. Drab costumes, everyone wearing the same basic uniform as it is a vision of a socialist country. However the story is enough to keep me watching - even though I know how it all ends. The performances are fantastic, and this Criterion version provides two different soundtrack options. One by the original composer Dominic Muldowney, and another by Eurythmics. Both are good though I have a preference for one. 

The other thing I find fascinating about this book is the different art that it has inspired. Actual two-dimensional art work, opera, and a whole classic concept album by one of the greatest.