Edgar Soberon Torchia It took me the long route to learn that this animation was conceived as a propaganda film, sponsored by the US Office of Policy Coordination, which was under the direction of the Department of State and Defence and housed by the CIA. I was curious that the film credited a "Joseph Bryan III" as screenwriter, while his name was omitted in many reliable sources, and instead Philip Stapp was credited. I began searching for Bryan and his bio seemed too military-inclined to link his name to a film project... But then I found Tony Shaw's book "Hollywood's Cold War" where he tells the whole story. Bryan was hired by OPC to create the Psychological Warfare Workhop, an "unorthodox unit, made up almost entirely of Princeton alumni" to devise "unconventional schemes to undermine the solidarity of the emerging Eastern bloc and to sharpen the Americans' anti-communist publicity techniques". How the rights of the book were sold to Louis de Rochemont, how he was connected to the OPC and how this unit financed the film, amount to a fascinating tale of espionage. Then I found out that the whole story is told In Wikipedia, although not with all the details Shaw provides. This story will most probably have little or no effect on your feelings about the movie, but it helps to understand why so many changes were made to Orwell's original and why the list of screenwriters is so long (and possibly longer). As for the directors John Halas and Joy Batchelor it is claimed that they knew nothing about nothing, just as Leni Riefentahl knew nothing about the Nazis. In any case here it is just for the record.

Leofwine_draca George Orwell's novel ANIMAL FARM has long been a favourite of mine, ever since I was forced to read it for English class in school. I admired its depth and simplicity, two things that don't necessarily combine very often. This 1954 animated film came out soon after the novel was released, and it has its moments but is a bit of a disappointment if you've read the book.The animation is probably the best thing about it; ANIMAL FARM has a distinct look to it and the animals are all well drawn and complement each other nicely. I admire the viciousness of the production; the darkness of the book is well retained here with lots of gory mayhem. It's also an ultimately depressing production, which is as it should be. One thing I didn't like was the ponderous narration, constantly telling us what to think and feel; films which show instead of tell are always better.The main problem with ANIMAL FARM is that the CIA co-financed the production and, unfortunately, interfered with the material. Thus the portrayal of Snowball is different to in the book; he's less sympathetic here. Also, for whatever reason, that ending is just wrong. It's not enough to spoil the movie, but it's no classic because of these changes.

Armand for a viewer from East Europe, it is not exactly only a good adaptation. it is not just a cartoon. but support for memories. and a warning. the book of George Orwell is always a must re-read. but the movie - piece from the Cold War is little more important than only animation film. convincing, in clothes of children movie, it represents in large measure a bitter parable who has new nuances, special force, more perspectives about the dark frame of dictatorship. in its case, the message is more important than artistic virtues. because it remains a powerful warning. not a decent/admirable adaptation, not an old film. but an useful tool for discover and understand the past and, maybe, for transform the future as better script.

skinsella-3 i think, even for its time, this is a terrible adaptation. it fails to convey the deep meaning behind George Orwell's'novelette and misses out key points in the novel. the animals look stoned half the time. i think Mr Jones isn't just growing barley in those fields if you know what i'm saying... the rendition of beasts of england was horrificly deafening - it lacked a tune, it lacked lyrics, and old major died during the 2nd verse having over-sung. Benjamin is far to enthusiastic, in fact, i wouldn't be surprised if Mr Jones gave him extra 'barley' if you know what i'm saying... so to conclude, if you want to see a bunch of animals on weed prance around a farm and preform ludicrous things that only humans could do, WATCH THIS FILM.