1984

1984

1984

Critics Consensus

1984 doesn't fully emerge from the shadow of its source material, but still proves a solid, suitably discomfiting adaptation of a classic dystopian tale.

79%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 24

71%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 56,080
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1984 Photos

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Movie Info

This is the second film version of George Orwell's cautionary novel. Winston Smith, a bureaucratic flunky living in a totalitarian state, breaks the law by falling in love with Julia. Attempting to escape, Winston and Julia are tracked down by the Thought Police and "re-educated" into loving the State.

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Cast

John Hurt
as Winston Smith
Richard Burton
as O'Brien
Suzanna Hamilton
as Julia
Cyril Cusack
as Charrington
Gregor Fisher
as Parsons
James Walker
as Syme
Andrew Wilde
as Tillotson
John Hughes
as Man in White Coat
David Trevena
as Tillotson's Friend
David Cann
as Martin
Anthony Benson
as Jones
Peter Frye
as Rutherford
Roger Lloyd-Pack
as Waiter
Rupert Baderman
as Winston as a Boy
Corinna Seddon
as Winston's Mother
Martha Parsey
as Winston's Sister
Merelina Kendall
as Mrs. Parsons
P.J. Nicholas
as William Parsons
Lynne Radford
as Susan Parsons
Pip Donaghy
as Inner Party Speaker
Shirley Stelfox
as Whore
Janet Key
as Instructress
Hugh Walters
as Artsem Lecturer
Robert Putt
as Shouting Prole
Christine Hargreaves
as Soup Lady
Garry Cooper
as Guard
Matthew Scurfield
as Guard
John Golightly
as Patrolman
Rolf Saxon
as Patrolman
Ole Oldendorp
as Eurasian Soldier
Eddie Stacey
as Executioner
Norman Bacon
as Man on Station
John Foss
as Youth Leader
Carey Wilson
as Party Member
Mitzi McKenzie
as Party Member
Phyllis Logan
as Telescreen Announcer
Pam Gems
as Washerwoman
Joscik Barbarossa
as Aaronson
John Boswall
as Goldstein
Bob Flag
as Big Brother
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Critic Reviews for 1984

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (5)

  • Nodding to the movie's bleak mood, Burton bleakens himself; robbed of the pleasures of the grand, show-offy way he could use his voice, the mischievous twinkle of his eye, you feel cheated.

    Jan 2, 2018 | Full Review…

    Paul Attanasio

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • Radford's visualization of Orwell's vision in 1984 is all the more powerful and disconcerting today for how frighteningly prescient it was

    Aug 6, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    James Kendrick

    Q Network Film Desk

  • The visuals capture the oppressive atmosphere of the novel even if the script can't quite convey the sheer horror (and chilling wordplay) whipped up by Orwell.

    Jul 27, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Matt Brunson

    Film Frenzy

  • Radford's adaptation of 1984 is admirable in that it perfectly captures the look and feel of the novel's oppressive dystopian setting, but unfortunately it's less successful when it comes to presenting the narrative of its rebellious central figure.

    Jul 22, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Jeff Beck

    The Blu Spot

  • Radford and Deakins brilliantly juxtapose these vistas of industrial decay with pastoral shots of the verdant English countryside to which the characters escape, first in person, then in their minds.

    Dec 28, 2018 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

    Nathanael Hood

    The Retro Set

  • Can it live up to the masterpiece from which it was adapted? In short, the answer is no. But it makes a damn good crack at it.

    Jul 25, 2018 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

    Robert Martin

    Starburst
View All Critic Reviews (24)

Audience Reviews for 1984

  • Aug 06, 2017
    2 + 2 = 22. new math!
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Nov 02, 2015
    Straightforward adaptation. Reasonably compelling. Between a 3.5 and a 4. Bumping it to a 4.
    Kyle M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 10, 2013
    It's got great costumes, amazing set design, atmospheric and masterfully displayed. Although there were some small changes from the book, I still enjoyed the adaptation greatly. I didn't like how explicit the film treated with nudity and sex, it shouldn't be so graphic, it doesn't really match the depressing theme running throughout. One thing that really stood was the change of calling each other comrades to calling each other brothers or sisters, it made sense to the use of Big Brother. The lunacy and frantic of the Two Minutes Hate were badly done I reckon, it wasn't really that heated, people were able to control themselves straight after kinda didn't make sense and seemed flimsy. But overall, Nineteen Eighty Four was quite well done, but not great.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • May 23, 2013
    I have to start by stating I've read the book. That always has an impact on how one views a movie. In my case, it has been over 25 years since I read and enjoyed the book, and yet something bothered me about the movie. It seems to take a long time to parlay to us, the movie watchers, how bleak things are in 1984. I got the idea much faster reading the book. The bleakness part of the movie bored me to tears. Also, the ending seemed different - actually the movie ending confused me.
    Red L Super Reviewer
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