Monday, January 4, 2010
Animal Farm movie version
Having seen a movie version of George Orwell's Animal Farm, reflect upon and write about the following: 1) the differences between the two and your thoughts on them, 2) how the movie did or did not address Orwell's messages and your thoughts on that, and 3) which you preferred and why.
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There were many differences between the movie and the book. First, the main role in the movie was Jessie the dog and his role was very similar to Clover's role in the book. They were both a friend of Boxer's and was the animal the suspected the pig's change the most. Also, Old Major died in the book of old age three days after the speech, while in the movie he was shot just after he finished his speech and was killed that day. Another difference was the slaughter of the animals were not mentioned in the movie which was a main part of the book. The movie ended with Napolean loosing his control in a storm and having the farm turn back, while the book ended in the poker game between Napolean and the humans which the movie also did not include. Finally, the pile of wood which started the fight between Pilkington and Animal farm by the wood was also not mentioned in the book.
The movie addressed Orwell's message of the corruption in the pigs that started the change after the rebellion, by them taking the apples and milk, and slowly changing the commandments. The movie did not address the stupidity of the animals too much, because Jesse was able to find the pigs breaking the rules, and managed to escape with some followers.
I preferred the book better, because it showed more of Orwell's messages and showed the change in rule more gradually. I also preferred it because of how the characters reacted and many parts in the book that were not in the movie. For example, the destruction of the windmill in the second battle in the book was not in the movie. Although the movie had Jones destroying the windmill, there was not battle at all.
1.) The first difference between the book and the movie was the way that it was told. The book was told in 3rd person while the movie was told from a dog's point of view, which seemed more intersting, as it stated more of the animal's opinions. Another difference was the way Major died. In the book he died in his sleep, while in the movie, he was shot, which seemed scarier, and more realistic. Another difference was that in the book, animals were not supposed to use human devices, but in the movie, they watched TV and listened to radio, which seemed to be differ from the 7 commandments put up earlier. Also, the ending in the movie was more interesting due to the fact that it was not a cliffhanger. In the book, the future of the farm was uncertain, but in the movie, it showed how the farm turned out in the end.
2.) The movie did adress Orwell's messages because it showed the corruption in the pigs and the way they used fear and ignorance to take over the farm. However, it also seemed to say that good would triumph over evil in the end when the farm was run by kinder humans, which was not one of the messages Orwell implied.
3.) I preffered the movie, because it showed a lot more realistic picture of what happens in corrupted countries. In the book, the society gets back to the terrible state it was in, but it also stays there. In the movie and in other countries, even though it gets back to the corrupted state, eventually it does get overthrown again.
1)In the book their is a narrator that is not a character in the story. However, in the movie Jessie the dog is the narrator. Another difference is it didn't have all the details that the book did. In the book they concentrated on the fights between Snowball and Napolean and in the movie they did not show it as much. Also in the book there was a lot more about the windmill and how Napolean didn't want it built and the other facts. But, in the movie it did not show up as often as in the book. And finally the movie ending was very happy and cheerful verses the book in which it was sad. I think that having these details makes the story more interesting, while a happy ending makes the reader/viewer feel better after reading/watching. I also feel that having a character in the story narrate it is better because you get their feelings and thoughts on what is happening.
2)In the book Orwell told us more about the growth of the pigs into human like figures. However, I feel that in the movie it was not shown as well as in the book. Since there was not as many details or events it was more like the animals took over the farm and the pigs became like humans ruling the animals. The movie didn't show the pigs as much when they were sticking to Old Major's teachings. The movie only really showed the pigs when they turned bad. I feel that showing the growth into human like figures is a key component in the message about corruption of power. If you do not show how the pigs began to take advantage of their power then the message will never come across. However, I do feel that the movie did portray the message that stupidity will be taken advantage of. Since in the movie they showed the pigs as "humans" they showed how the pigs took advantage of the animals lack of education and ability to think for themselves.
3) I personally prefer the book verses the movie. I feel this way because the book had more details, more events. It showed the growth of the pigs and the stupidity of the animals.It also portrayed the messages better verses the movie because Orwell knew the messages he wanted to portray and he revolved his book around them. All in all, I feel the book is better.
The book is manly focused upon the hidden criticism regarding the state of government through the usage of the animals, where as, the movie was mainly focused upon the presentation of the talking animals. It was definitely entertaining to see talking animals, but in comparison, to have the chance to think about Orwell's message was a bit more entertaining. The movie failed to address Orwell's message because it did not fully establish the ignorance and the stupidity that the animals are "suppose" to have. Without the ignorance and stupidity of the animals, the message that Orwell was trying to imply becomes vague. I really liked Orwell's message because it is a warning to all common civilized human being to not be ignorant. Through the book, it was carefully and almost perfectly addressed. I would prefer the book more than the movie mainly because of how well the book addressed the message. Also, the movie skipped a few important parts from the book that would've contributed to the message.
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