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It’s the year 1984 and Britain is part of a superpower called Oceania, ruled over by dictator Big Brother. Oceania is permanently at war, though the opponent changes from Eurasia to Eastasia and back again. Telescreens watch your every move, and pump out propaganda twenty-four hours a day. Winston Smith (John Hurt) works at the Ministry of Truth, whose job it is to rewrite the news to remove “unpersons” and to change history as it suits the ruling Elite. Then he meets Julia (Suzanna Hamilton), who seems to be a sworn celibate and member of the Anti Sex League, but who in reality is rebelling against the state. Winston and Julia fall in love, but their rebellion has not gone unnoticed...

The bigger and more powerful the government, the smaller your freedoms are. This is the crucial truth that emerges from Michael Radford's cinematic adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel.

The story is as timely as ever, unfortunately. Lies are spun and accepted as truth. Slavery is freedom. Big brother is watching. Will we ever evolve out of this particular kind of fascist nightmare?

Director: Michael Radford
Cast: John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton
Country: UK
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi

BD50, DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:50:38 | 46.4 Gb + 7.45 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Two scores: one by Eurythmics and one by composer Dominic Muldowney

• Roger Deakins - in this new video interview, cinematographer Roger Deakins discusses his preparation work for 1984, various decisions that he and director Michael Radford had to make because of budget limitations, the visual style of the film and the new 4K restoration he supervised, what it was like to work with Richard Burton, etc. The interview was recorded exclusively for Criterion in London in March 2019. In English, not subtitled. (21 min, 1080p).

• Michael Radford - in this new video interview, director Michael Radford discusses his work with Roger Deakins on 1984, how different sequences from the film were envisioned and shot, specific choices that were made to enhance particular themes, the scoring of the film and his past disagreement with Eurythmics, etc. The interview was recorded exclusively for Criterion in London in March 2019. In English, not subtitled. (23 min, 1080p).

• David Ryan - in this new video interview, David Ryan, author of George Orwell on Screen, discusses some of the main political themes and overtones in 1984, notable differences between Michael Radford's film and earlier cinematic adaptations of the popular novel, the visual style of the film, casting choices, etc. The interview was recorded exclusively for Criterion in London in March 2019. In English, not subtitled. (22 min, 1080p).

• Behind the Scenes - presented here is footage from the production of 1984 which features interviews with Michael Radford and actors John Hurt and Suzanna Hamilton. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080i).

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for 1984. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).