Animal Farm

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2:08

Animal Farm

1954

1h 12m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In this animated film based on George Orwell's novel, animals on drunken Mr. Jones' (Maurice Denham) farm, led by prize hog Old Major (also Denham), gather to discuss their abuse. Old Major exhorts the animals to rebel. Boxer the horse, donkey Benjamin, pigs Snowball and Napoleon and the others agree, and when Old Major dies, they turn against Jones. But Napoleon secretly raises a group of puppies to do his bidding, and over time the efficiently run farm falters as Napoleon schemes to take over.

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Delmore Schwartz

The New Republic

01/23/2013

It is a serious pity that one can only praise the film version of George Orwell's Animal Farm as a valuable beginning or experiment, and hardly more than that.

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Herman G. Weinberg

Film Culture

06/07/2022

It is a fable, or allegory, in which human actions are presented in the guise of animal actions. But how can this convince any intelligent person who knows that animals don't act that way? Aesop was far cleverer.

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Tracey Petherick

Common Sense Media

09/11/2020

4/5

Intense, compelling adaptation of Orwell's classic story.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

11/07/2019

This is the first feature-length animated cartoon to tackle an adult theme instead of the usual kindergarten slapstick. A British effort, it sometimes fails to compete with Hollywood's best technical standards.

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Virginia Graham

The Spectator

06/19/2018

Even so, when only one figure in a crowd is animated the impression given is that of laziness or lack of funds rather than design.

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MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

01/24/2018

If Animal Farm is a notable, rather than an exciting, experiment in cartoon making, it will doubtless influence future work in this field, both in this country and overseas.

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Kevin P

5d

A great adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel that serves as a biting allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of Communism and Authoritarianism. Elevated by the powerful voice acting and harrowing soundtrack. This story dwells on the aftermath of revolution. The characters serve as great allegorical stand-ins for historical figures and world powers. It's nuanced commentary about control and exploitation of workers as well see in both systems. After seizing power from Snowball, Napoleon changes the crucial founding rules of the constitution. Turning into the line "Four legs good, two legs bad" when the pigs begin to walk upright, dress in human clothes, sleep in houses, and trade with humans. The film hits you hard with Boxer's death. They literally reject retirement and hand off their most loyal worker to the humans. While I prefer the ambiguity of the novel's ending, I don't mind this more hopeful change. It's a great adaptation of one of my favorite books of all time.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 23

Success in 01 hour, 12 minutes, and 06 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adults only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Kornel P

Aug 7

A very good film with a clear moral message. I think the film is not suitable for young children.

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Tonya K

Jul 14

This is a horrible adaptation of Orwell's work. It spits in the legacy of George Orwell.

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Charles H

Mar 26

I'm in high school and we had to read the book I loved it and when I saw this it was amazing, great and I loved it.

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Liam D

@Mediawatcher2003 11/20/2024

Telling an very adult story in very childlike media is the best way of adapting one of the most famous stories in literature history

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Joy Batchelor

Director

John Halas

Director

Maurice Denham

All Animals

Gordon Heath

Narrator

Roy Turk

Cinematographer

W. Traylor

Cinematographer

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Animal Farm: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In this animated film based on George Orwell's novel, animals on drunken Mr. Jones' (Maurice Denham) farm, led by prize hog Old Major (also Denham), gather to discuss their abuse. Old Major exhorts the animals to rebel. Boxer the horse, donkey Benjamin, pigs Snowball and Napoleon and the others agree, and when Old Major dies, they turn against Jones. But Napoleon secretly raises a group of puppies to do his bidding, and over time the efficiently run farm falters as Napoleon schemes to take over.

Director: Joy Batchelor, John Halas
Producer: John Halas, Joy Batchelor
Screenwriter: Lothar Wolff, Philip Stapp, George Orwell, Borden Mace, John Halas, Joseph Bryan, Joy Batchelor
Distributor: BBC Enterprises Limited [gb], Universal Pictures, Louis de Rochemont Associates, Associate British-Pathe Ltd. [gb], Polygram, Blue Dolphin Film Distribution Ltd. [gb]
Production Co: Halas and Batchelor Cartoon Films [gb]
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 29, 1954, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2011
Runtime: 1h 12m
Sound Mix: Mono

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