1984 (1956 film)

1984
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Anderson
Produced by	N. Peter Rathvon
Written by	Ralph Gilbert Bettison William Templeton George Orwell (novel)
Starring	Edmond O'Brien Michael Redgrave Jan Sterling
Music by	Malcolm Arnold
Cinematography	C.M. Pennington-Richards
Editing by	Bill Lewthwaite
Studio	Holiday Film Productions Ltd.
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date(s)	1956
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Box office	£80,073

1984 is a 1956 film loosely based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell. This is the first cinema rendition of the story, directed by Michael Anderson, and starring Edmond O'Brien. Also starring are Donald Pleasence, Jan Sterling, and Michael Redgrave. Pleasence also appeared in the 1954 television version of the film, playing the character of Syme, which in the film was amalgamated with that of Parsons. O'Brien, the antagonist, was renamed "O'Connor," possibly to avoid confusion with lead actor Edmond O'Brien. The plot was substantially different from the book, ending with the start of the downfall of the Party, and it is generally considered the worst screen adaption of Nineteen Eighty-Four. After the customary distributor agreement expired, the film was withdrawn from the theatrical and TV distribution channels by Orwell's estate and was not legally obtainable for many years, although it has since been released on DVD and clips have surfaced on YouTube.

Cast

• Edmond O'Brien as Winston Smith
• Michael Redgrave as General O'Connor
• Jan Sterling as Julia
• David Kossoff as Charrington the Junk Shop Owner
• Mervyn Johns as Jones
• Donald Pleasence as R. Parsons
• Carol Wolveridge as Selina Parsons
• Ernest Clark as Outer Party Announcer
• Patrick Allen as Inner Party Official
• Ronan O'Casey as Rutherford
• Michael Ripper as Outer Party Orator
• Ewen Solon as Outer Party Orator
• Kenneth Griffith as Prisoner

External links

• 1984 at the Internet Movie Database