I saw Animal Farm, by the second time, two days ago. I must say that the first time I saw the film I was very young, certainly under 10. And I never forgot it. It was more than 20 years ago. So, this comment is intended to share my memories of the film, along with the feelings I felt when I remembered it. More like how a child can see the film.
I remember that I first saw it thinking it was just another cartoon movie with animals: nice pigs, nice ducks... But soon I was dealing with dark images and with an awful farmer, who represented mankind. I knew it was different than the other films I saw. Of course I didn't know, by then, who Geoge Orwell was, or what was the Russian revolution. All the politics in the film passed me by. But I was fully trapped by the atmosphere, at first admiring the union of the animals, then feeling sorry for the horse in the van, seeing how the animals were getting thiner, and being scared of the pig Napoleon, dressed in a suit, and his dogs. The conclusion is that what many people don't like about the end of the film was my good relief. At least I felt my tension disappear, because the evil of the pigs was destroyed. And it there was still hope in the future. I think that, even to a child, the film can "teach" values and feelings.
When I reviewed the film, I could see, of course, many more details and I could not forget the political part. But even then I was not shocked with the end. I will sort of write what was said in an extra, on the DVD: probably George Orwell would not like the end. But it kind of foretold what would happen in the future. We know now that the people managed to rebel against the communist regimes in most European countries. Finally, I must have a word to the music, which I found dark and hopeful, right according to the theme.
I remember that I first saw it thinking it was just another cartoon movie with animals: nice pigs, nice ducks... But soon I was dealing with dark images and with an awful farmer, who represented mankind. I knew it was different than the other films I saw. Of course I didn't know, by then, who Geoge Orwell was, or what was the Russian revolution. All the politics in the film passed me by. But I was fully trapped by the atmosphere, at first admiring the union of the animals, then feeling sorry for the horse in the van, seeing how the animals were getting thiner, and being scared of the pig Napoleon, dressed in a suit, and his dogs. The conclusion is that what many people don't like about the end of the film was my good relief. At least I felt my tension disappear, because the evil of the pigs was destroyed. And it there was still hope in the future. I think that, even to a child, the film can "teach" values and feelings.
When I reviewed the film, I could see, of course, many more details and I could not forget the political part. But even then I was not shocked with the end. I will sort of write what was said in an extra, on the DVD: probably George Orwell would not like the end. But it kind of foretold what would happen in the future. We know now that the people managed to rebel against the communist regimes in most European countries. Finally, I must have a word to the music, which I found dark and hopeful, right according to the theme.