Nineteen Eighty-Four

This is the infamous live BBC production of the George Orwell classic, made almost contemporaneously with the novel. It's the production that famously catapulted Peter Cushing to stardom, inspiring Hammer producers to cast him in their CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and setting the stage for his lifelong career in horror. Back to 1984, and this is an earthy, compelling, and utterly downbeat production that successfully captures the terrifying bleakness of the Orwellian future. The production values are akin to those of early DR WHO, but it's great to see faces like those of Donald Pleasence, Wilfrid Brambell and Andre Morell putting in strong support, making this unmissable viewing.

Probably one of the best renditions of the story that is based on the book "1984" written by George Orwell.

Basic story: In a society that has eliminated many imbalances, surplus goods, and even class struggles, there are bound to be deviates; Winston Smith is one of those. He starts, due to his inability to doublethink, with thoughtcrime. This is in a society that believes the thought is as real as the deed. Eventually, he graduates through a series of misdemeanors to illicit sex and even plans to overthrow the very government that took him in as an orphan.

If he gets caught, he will be sent to the "Ministry of Love" where they have a record of 100% cures for this sort of insanity. They will even forgive his past indiscretions.

Peter Cushing, a veteran actor, plays Winston Smith. The TV film is in black and white. There are clips of this film in other 1984 documentaries. Copies are hard to find. With any luck, this fill will show up on a Criterion DVD.

I am very pleased to have discovered this rare item, though I prefer the two other versions of the George Orwell's book. This is a TV directing from the fifties and clumsy as you can guess. But it remains more than worth seeing, so daring and especially with a young Peter Cushing, and also Don Pleasance, who also played in the Michael Anderson's film, shot the same year. Painful ending, but great.

I cannot believe that nearly seventy years on this program is so powerful. I can only imagine the effect it had on the viewing public at time of release.

By far the best of the three versions of 1984 with Peter Cushing putting in an inspiring performance.

Hardly a cheery watch, but impressive nevertheless.

What an incredible find to see this BBC drama restored for all sci-fi fans to revel in. Incredible that it was made so soon after the novel was written. The image of Big Brother is ubiquitous, and was barely altered in the more famous John Hurt version.

As bleak and dystopian as you could wish for, with a plethora of fine British actors on display, Cushing, of course, as Winston Smith, but watch out for terrific turns from Donald Pleasance and Wilfred (steptoe) Bramble. It comes complete with looming intervals and oppresive music too. A must see for our times, with ideas such as doublespeak and thought crime never more relevent.

Don't let the grainy black and white of a bygone age put you off. This lost gem is worth every minute of your time. I long for a time the BBC made live dramas again!