Animal Farm (1999)
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A group of anthropomorphic animals successfully revolt against their human owner only to fall under a new, brutal tyranny.
The story
Jones, the irresponsible and alcholic owner of Manor Farm, invites the Pilkingtons to discuss his mounting debts while the farm's animals gather in his barn. Old Major, the Middle White boar, teaches the creatures a song called 'Beasts of the World' to inspire a revolt for egalitarianism and prosperity. After Jones unintentionally shoots Major and neglects to feed the animals, the creatures eventually revolt and drive the humans off the farm. Snowball, a Large White boar, takes control, renaming the property 'Animal Farm' and establishing the Seven Commandments of 'Animalism'.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After the revolt, Snowball establishes 'Animal Farm' and the Seven Commandments. However, Napoleon, a Berkshire boar, and his aide Squealer begin secretly hoarding resources and training puppies for loyalty. When Pilkington and Frederick lead an invasion, the animals successfully counter-attack. Napoleon later opposes Snowball's windmill plans, uses the puppies to chase Snowball away, and takes total control. The pigs begin altering commandments to justify their privileges, such as sleeping in beds and drinking alcohol. During the windmill's reconstruction, Boxer is injured and sold to a glue factory by Pilkington, who paid Napoleon. Jessie, a Border Collie, notices the pigs living like humans and realizes the final commandment has been changed to 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.' Eventually, Napoleon reverts the farm's name to Manor Farm and begins living with humans. Jessie, Benjamin, and Muriel escape. Years later, the escaped animals return to find the farm derelict and Napoleon and Squealer dead. Jessie vows to help a new family avoid the mistakes of the past.
- First release year
- 1999
- Runtime (minutes)
- 91
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Stephenson
- Writers
- Alan Janes · written by; Martyn Burke · teleplay
- Cast and characters
- Kelsey Grammer · Snowball; Ian Holm · Squealer; Julia Louis-Dreyfus · Mollie; Patrick Stewart · Napoleon; Julia Ormond · Jessie; Paul Scofield · Boxer; Pete Postlethwaite · Jones; Peter Ustinov · Old Major
- Genres
- satirical black tragicomedy; television film; live-action adaptation; comedy-drama; children's films; Cold War films; political films
- Themes
- Tyranny; Revolution; Allegory of the Russian Revolution; Equality vs. Inequality
- Tone and mood
- Satirical; Black comedy; Tragic
- Premise and plot tags
- Allegory; Animal Revolution; Political Satire; Farm Life
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1945 novel of the same name by George Orwell
- Content notes
- Death
- Reception
- The film won Best Special Effects and was nominated for best film at the 2000s Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Award. The director was also nominated for a Starboy Award.
- Awards and nominations
- Best Special Effects · Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Award · 2000s · Win; Best Film · Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Award · 2000s · Nomination; Starboy Award · Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival · 2000s · Nomination
- Production trivia
- Jim Henson's Creature Shop provided the film's animatronic animals.; Paul Scofield appeared in this film as his final role.; The film was released on VHS and DVD in 2000 and re-released in 2010.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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