Animal Farm

Starring:Kelsey Grammer, Ian Holm, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Julia Ormond, Pete Postlethwaite, Paul Scofield, Patrick Stewart, Peter Ustinov, Alan Stanford, Caroline Gray, Gail Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Keogh, Noel O'Donovan, Gerard Walsh, Jer O'Leary, Sean Fitzsimons, Conor Kirwan, Charles Dale (II), Amanda Symonds, Louise Gold
Director: John Stephenson (II)
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
After the technical achievement of Babe, it was inevitable that "talking animal" effects would be applied to the serious themes of George Orwell's Animal Farm. A bitterly satirical indictment of Stalinist Russia and the failure of Communism, Orwell's 1945 novel is a time-honored classic, so it's only fitting that this TNT production remains largely faithful to Orwell's potent narrative. A showcase for the impressive creations of Jim Henson's Creature Shop (where director John Stephenson was a veteran supervisor), the film employs animatronic critters and computer animation to tell the story of uprising, unity, and tragic rebellion among the animals of a British farm.

The politics of "Animalism" are initially effective, ousting enemy humans according to rules ordained by Old Major, the barnyard pig whose death sets the stage for the corruptive influence of the pig Napoleon, who cites superior intelligence as his right to superiority. This tyrannical reign destroys the farm's stability, and the film--decidedly not for young children--preserves Orwell's dark, cynical view of absolute power corrupting absolutely. Particularly effective is a propaganda film shown to the barnyard collective, and certain scenes--while not as impressive as the Babe films--powerfully convey the force of Orwell's story through animal "performance." Animal Farm occasionally falters in its emotional impact (the fate of the horse Boxer should be heart-rending, and it isn't), but it's certainly blessed with an elite voice cast, including Peter Ustinov, Patrick Stewart, Pete Postlethwaite, Julia Ormond, Kelsey Grammer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Paul Scofield, and Ian Holm. Not the masterpiece it might've been, this is nevertheless a worthy representation of Orwell's novel. (Ages 8 and older) --Jeff Shannon

Average customer rating:

Baby Einstein - Neighborhood Animals, Just extrodinary

Love this movie!!

My daughter loves it!

My son loves it!

Nice addition to our collection

Baby Einstein - Neighborhood Animals

Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Baby Einstein - Baby Van Gogh - World of Colors

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Baby Einstein - World Animals

Baby Einstein - Baby Da Vinci - From Head to Toe

Accessories:

Baby Einstein: Dogs (Baby Einstein)

See And Spy Counting Board Book

Product Features:

Features classical music of Beethoven, Vivaldi and more

Includes parents guide to video

Enhances motor skills

Length of DVD: 71 minutes

Series of 12 delightful vignettes dedicated to animals found around the home

ASIN: B00006SFM2
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Product Description

Baby Einstein Neighborhood Animals Video The Baby Einstein Neighborhood Animals video takes your child on a trip around the neighborhood to meet furry friends that live in and around the home. Neighborhood Animals video creates a fun and multi-sensory learning resource for parents, infants and toddlers. Little ones will be mesmerized by the Neighborhood Animals video combination of delightful animal footage, stimulating, and colorful images. Neighborhood Animals contains classical compositions by Vivaldi, Grofe, Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Scarlatti, and Pachelbel.

Amazon.com

When Baby Einstein started its "video board books" in 1997, the company was virtually alone in the field of baby development. By its sixth video, the field has become crowded with similar-sounding titles. Now scientists might be able to analyze what a baby will get out of a video like Baby Dolittle compared to Baby Van Gogh, but is it worth getting more baby videos? Absolutely--babies love variety as much as their adult counterparts. On that level, Baby Dolittle scores. The theme of animals is a natural, and this show should cause squeals of delight from little ones 1 to 4 years old. Using a stimulating mix of brightly colored toys, whimsical puppets (including your host, Pavlov the Dog), and lots of pictures, Baby Dolittle takes the viewer on a 30-minute tour of commonly found animals. Help your little pal spot a pig on the farm or a dog in the house. Baby Dolittle uses animals' sounds, kids' drawings, and photography for each animal in four habitats. The natural settings and original, bright recordings of Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Vivaldi, and others should make this a favorite every time you want to visit Old MacDonald's Farm. Followed by a companion production, Baby Dolittle World Animals. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews:

Baby Einstein - Neighborhood Animals, Just extrodinary.......2007-06-03

Baby Einstein is a wonderful line of videos to help aid in your child's development. Get them off to a very good start with these videos, and this special one, Baby Einstein - Neighborhood Animals. Get them well on the way to a successful future now! Don't wait!

Love this movie!!.......2007-05-22

Out of all the Baby Einstein DVD's, this one is one of my son's favorite. Everyday while I cook dinner, he asks to watch "the puppy movie" because it has a puppy on the side of the front cover.

My daughter loves it!.......2007-05-13

My daughter loves all the Baby Einstein DVDs. I highly recommend them. This is a good one--but they all are good.

My son loves it!.......2007-05-12

My son is 2 1/2, and he loves it! He's always asking to watch it.

Nice addition to our collection.......2007-03-14

My daughter likes this video but it doesn't hold her attention like baby macdonald or on the go. I bought it more because I needed more Einstein variety!

Average customer rating:

The Beauty of Black Beauty
FOR HORSE LOVERS ONLY !!!
Classic tale that never gets out-dated
Heart Warming
Black Beauty

Black Beauty [Dual Disc]
Starring: Sean Bean , David Thewlis , Jim Carter , Peter Davison , and Alun Armstrong
Director: Caroline Thompson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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National Velvet
The Black Stallion
The Silver Stallion: King of the Wild Brumbies
My Friend Flicka
The Yearling

ASIN: B00002E229
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Amazon.com

Don't waste this one on your children: buy it for yourself. A spectacular adaptation of the Anna Sewell novel, this is faithful to the source material but creates a life of its own on the screen. Told from the point of view of the horse, it recalls a time and a place that could be both beautiful and cruel. Black Beauty faced both hardship and kindness as he passed through the hands of many owners throughout his life. Some are generous, but the agonies endured by the title character may be too harsh for small children. Unfortunately, director Caroline Thompson did not resurrect her magical touch a few years later with another animal tale, Buddy. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Description

A wondrous new version of Anna Sewell's classic about a remarkable horse and the various owners whose lives he transforms. "The most imaginative and stirring picture since The black Stallion" (Washington Times) Year: 1994 Director: Caroline Thompson Starring: Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Jim Carter

Customer Reviews:

The Beauty of Black Beauty.......2007-05-18

In this work, screen writer and director Carolyne Thompson and composer Danny Elfman, collaborators in such works as Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, and others reunite to create their version of Anna Sewell's classic novel Black Beauty. Set in the English countryside in the late 1800s, the story is an autobiography of a horse narrated by that horse that speaks of the life and treatment of the equine in Victorian times. Miss Sewell wrote the work to raise consciousness about the ill treatment she witnessed. Despite moderate deviations from Sewell's text, Director Thompson captures its essence. This is a moving narrative about the innocence, trust, loyalty, betrayal and hope a horse experiences when he is at the behest of owners he has had no choice in selecting. Thompson, Elfman, the trainers and all the co-directors and associates are the real winners in this production as they collectively choreograph the beauty, freedom, frolic, banter, tragedy, cruelty and hope the non-human characters enjoy or endure. Commendable performances are given by Andrew Knott who plays the younger Joe Green, one of Beauty's grooms from his youth, and the good natured cabby Jerry Barker played by David Thewlis who purchases the horse and brings him out of his natural country setting into the cold hard streets of London. The contrast between the good and not-so-good owners Beauty had in the country and the cold entrepreneurial ownership of London is stark; it is marked well when he discovers there a former stable companion, a mare named Ginger whose friendship he greatly cherishes. Along with the cheerfully buoyant white pony Merrylegs, they had spent much time together in their former country dwellings before each was sold to different owners. Tragically, Ginger, by now broken through abusive treatment and overwork, looses her life. Commendable performances continue as Beauty's fortunes turn. He is sold again, this time to a hard driving dealer who forces the horse to pull carts laden with heavy sacks of grain. This treacherous labor eventually takes its toll as Beauty suffers a breakdown. Like Ginger, this once gallant colt full of life and spirit is reduced to a broken shadow bent over as he is once again taken to a fair to be sold. It is here that a groom of his youth, the older Joe Green, discovers him and takes him back to the golden pastures of his birth. Joe promises he will never be sold again. In a final pastoral setting, one year later, Beauty, after regaining his strength and spirit, rests upon a grassy mound beneath a tree and finishes his narrative, happy in the certainty that he will never be separated from his friends again.

For the horses alone, in particular the Quarter Horse `Docs Keepin Time' that performed the role of Black Beauty, this is a film well worth viewing in conjunction with reading or rereading Sewell's classic. Add to that the hauntingly beautiful score Danny Elfman provides and you have a marvel. The score hints at the co-existence of an inner-sadness and an inner-joy that Beauty wearily accepts as required.

Happy viewing (and keep a towel at hand).

FOR HORSE LOVERS ONLY !!!.......2007-05-13

THIS IS A SENTIMENTAL TALE THROUGH THE EYES AND VOICE OF A HORSE THAT HAS GOOD MOMENTS ANS BAD TIMES !!! NOT A CHILDS MOVIE !!! YOU WILL CRY AT TIMES AND SMILE AT TIMES !!!

Classic tale that never gets out-dated.......2007-01-27

My five year old daughter has now watched this a dozens times. She loves it. It does have sadness, but it has so many great values in it, and she totally sees that. It is a lovely film.

The DVD itself has no frills, and I can't attest to the pixels, etc. as my television is an old one.

Heart Warming.......2007-01-25

It does not matter if you are a horse lover or not you will love this movie, it is amazing I watched it at a friends house and then made the goal to buy it the next day. A movie you will definatly want on your self.

Black Beauty.......2007-01-12

This CD was purchased as a gift, and I am unable to give it a fair rating. I did however as a child enjoy the original movie.

Average customer rating:

English teacher gives this DVD a C-
A Difficult Film to Make, Updated for Our Times
Beware!
not that bad
i don't get it

Animal Farm
Starring: Kelsey Grammer , Ian Holm , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Julia Ormond , and Pete Postlethwaite
Director: John Stephenson (II)
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Animal Farm
Fahrenheit 451
Of Mice & Men (1992)
The Odyssey
The Crucible

ASIN: B0000365DS
Release Date: 2000-01-18

Amazon.com

After the technical achievement of Babe, it was inevitable that "talking animal" effects would be applied to the serious themes of George Orwell's Animal Farm. A bitterly satirical indictment of Stalinist Russia and the failure of Communism, Orwell's 1945 novel is a time-honored classic, so it's only fitting that this TNT production remains largely faithful to Orwell's potent narrative. A showcase for the impressive creations of Jim Henson's Creature Shop (where director John Stephenson was a veteran supervisor), the film employs animatronic critters and computer animation to tell the story of uprising, unity, and tragic rebellion among the animals of a British farm.

Customer Reviews:

English teacher gives this DVD a C-.......2007-05-18

Reading some of the other customer reviews, it seems this DVD runs the gamut of emotions for many viewers. Some liked it; while others felt that too many liberties were taken with the book. I recently showed this DVD to my Sophomore English class after reading the novella with them. I think my students probably would have rated this DVD higher than I did; however, there were far too many differences from the text for my liking.

For starters, the story is told from the perspective of Jesse, one of Mr. Jones's dogs. While this may not seem like a major flaw, I feel it overly inflates the importance of a minor character in the book. Secondly, while there is no nudity in the DVD, there is an implied sexual encounter between Mr. Jones and Mrs. Pilkington about 15 minutes into the movie. Mr. Jones finds Mrs. P in his bed; Mrs. P assures Mr. Jones that her husband is fast asleep; camera pans up to headboard; Mrs. P says "Oh, Mr. Jones" and then the headboard begins knocking. Some of my studetns did snicker at the scene; most were nonplussed. (In fact, an earlier scene were Old Major's carcass is being butchered elicited far more shock than this one.) The "sex scene" was not an issue with my class, as I'm sure most have seen far more suggestive things on regular TV. However, USE YOUR OWN DESCRETION. You may want to fast-forward scene. While I did not find the scene overly objectionable, it was yet another deviation from the text. Lastly, and more importantly, the DVD does alter the ending of the novella. Whereas the book ends with the pigs playing cards with the humans and everyone looks the same, the movie continues on with Jesse and the animals running away from the farm upon this discovery. Eventually the farm is bought by new owners (a young American family), and Jesse and her pups return. I feel the "happy Hollwood ending" runs counter to the spirit of the novella, as did many of my students.

On the positive side, the effects were (for the most part) rather clever. I think there was only one scene (Squealer painting "Animal Farm" on the front gate) that seemed hokey and cartoonish. This updating, by itself, overcame most of the flaws in the adaptation and is why I chose this version over the earlier cartoon one. I remember seeing the cartoon version when I was in high school 25 years ago; I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now. (I feel the very fact that it IS a cartoon belittles the importance of Orwell's message. I mean, who takes a cartoon seriously?) The movie also does a good job showing how governments use the media to control public opinion. Particularly haunting was the black-and-white newsreel toward the end of the DVD which was highly reminiscent of Hitler's Nuremburg rallies. This particular scene is a microcosm of how I feel about the movie: While it is beautifully shot and imaginative, it is reminiscent of Hitler (not Stalin) and goes for far too long. Some editing and a more literal rendering of the book would have gone a long way in improving this movie.

Overall, this version is better than the earlier cartoon one. However, "better" in this case does not mean "good", just "OK".

A Difficult Film to Make, Updated for Our Times.......2006-11-02

I'm surprised by the harsh reviews of many of the commenters. Ok, there are some failed efforts at updating, and liberties are taken with the text, but I found some of the updating to be very effective.

For example, the manner in which television and propaganda films were used to pacify the animals hint at the way the mass media operates today. Also, Napoleon's use of the bogeyman of Farmer Jones returning certainly resonates in an age where the politics of fear are openly utlized to convince voters to support ongoing government policies.

And I found the mixed use of real animals, human actors, and Frank Oz effects to be intriguing, though perhaps not ultimately successful.

Finally, this is a much darker vision, which may not be appropriate for children. Patrick Stewart's voicing of Napoleon is genuinely frightening, as he slowly perverts the good intentions of Old Major and eliminates and appropriates Snowball's far-thinking ideas, only to accumulate further power and material possessions.

A flawed production, but a creative and interesting take on this Orwell classic.

Beware!.......2006-09-28

For any of you teachers out there who plan to watch this in your classroom with your students: BEWARE!! First of all, I've heard of taking "liberties" with a book but this is ridiculous! Sex between Farmer Jones and the neighbor farmer's wife is not in the book, but sure is shown in the movie. I was shocked to see them rolling under the sheet as the headboard was "knocking against the wall". Utterly revolting and embarassing for me and my students. I expect better from Hallmark Entertainment, Family Home Entertainment, etc...
Second, there is a "no rating" statement on the DVD - I'm angry about this and don't appreciate being taken advantage of. There was no warning about adult situations. It's a shame that one can't be truthful in advertising. Buyer Beware!

not that bad.......2006-06-21

I have read a number of reviews that are upset that the ending was too optimistic. But there is a reason for that. Remember that Animal Farm was at least partially based on the Soviet Union, and when this movie was made (1999) the soviet union had fallen and it looked as if we had new hope for a democratic russia under the leadership of borris yeltsin. So to have a more optimistic ending (that George Orwell would have never in a million years written) is not that bad of an idea and it follows russian history. But after 7 years we see that things are not that optimistic. Borris Yeltsin had to leave office because his alcholism made him unfit to rule a country (disturbingly like Mr. Jones). Now a former member of the KGB is in charge of russia. Furthermore the entire world is now starting to enter a war that seems to be unwinnable with goals that are at best ambigious and may very well be unachievable. Hmmm all of this is starting to remind me another Orwell book, that could be made into a bad TNT adaptation.

i don't get it.......2006-04-14

I don't understand. How is it that so many people thought 1984 the movie was a masterpiece and yet they didn't give this great film the time of day. This movie is as good as 1984 (the movie) was bad. This is a perfect example of what communism really is, a good idea that could only work in a perfect world because hay, people (and animals apparently) are corrupt. Theirs a reason they say absolute power corrupts absolutely. People are selfish, and this is why communism must always fail, because people don't like to share and like being forced to share even less.
This is one hell of a movie. Not perfect, but way above the [...] fest of a movie 1984 was. If you love Gorge Orwell than get this movie

Average customer rating:

Triplet Mom's LIFESAVER
Baby Songs - Animals
BABY SONGS series is WONDERFUL!
My kids love it!
Not a favorite but tolerable.

Baby Songs - Animals
Starring: Hap Palmer
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Baby Songs - ABC, 123, Colors & Shapes
Baby Songs: Original
Baby Songs - Rock and Roll
Baby Songs - Baby's Busy Day
Baby Songs - Good Night

ASIN: B0002B15M4
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Amazon.com

Children's songwriter Hap Palmer mixes kids and animals in this 26-minute installment of the award-winning Baby Songs series. His bouncy variations on the classics ("Old MacDonald's Farm," "Bingo," "Itsy Bitsy Spider") and his toe-tapping originals will get children ages 1-6 off the couch and on their feet. Nine music videos feature real-looking kids of both genders and all ethnicities imitating elephants, eagles, and kangaroos ("Elephant," "I'm Glad I'm Me") as well as traditional farm animals. In "Baby Chickie," children dress as mom and baby chickens to act out the hatching of the egg, juxtaposed with footage of the real thing. Next, a family sees for themselves "What's Bigger Than a Bear?" at the Los Angeles Zoo. Finally, Palmer brings the circle of life back home with "My Baby," in which a big sister practices on her doll what she learns from Mom and newborn sibling. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews:

Triplet Mom's LIFESAVER.......2007-06-03

Ok, to begin with I had no idea who Hap was. I just knew that I didn't want my triplets hooked on broadcast TV stuff that was full of marketing, commercials, etc. So we ordered BabyFirstTV (kinda like HBO for babies) and during the programming they would show these videos. It didn't take long for me to notice that my kids were MESMERIZED by Palmer's music videos. I quickly recognized the prints and hairstyles from my own childhood (80's kid) and went on a search until I found the DVD's here. The kids LOVED them and now that they are almost two they actually ask for them by name. I would HIGHLY recommend these DVD's to anyone who is interested in exposing their children to music, rhyming, social skills, development skills, sillyness and laughter via your DVD player. I am not saying they take the place of actual experiences but they sure do enhance them. You don't know how handy it is to get your triplet toddlers to quickly cooperate and follow instructions by just singing a simple song to them. Anyway, long story short.... WE LOVE HAP PALMER AND THESE DVDs!

Baby Songs - Animals.......2007-01-26

One of the best videos I have ever used for 1-5 year olds.
Very high intrest and the teaching is incredable.

BABY SONGS series is WONDERFUL!.......2007-01-16

This is a great video! My 17 month old boy/girl twins are totally infatuated with the entire Baby Songs series, but my daughter who loves animals is entranced by this one. She loves all the animals & the music too, she'll dance around to it or pull her chair close to the tv & sit staring at it intently. Hap Palmer's recipe for entertainment has definately worked for my kids. I appreciate the simplicity of the arrangements...simple props and ordinary kids (no actors) are choreographed into the videos. Great, quality entertainment! A+++ series...highly recommend them all.

My kids love it!.......2006-05-18

We love baby songs at our house. I have a three year old and a one year old and Hap Palmer's songs never fail to put a smile on their faces. I was first introduced to Baby Songs as a teenage babysitter in the early 90's. The toddler for which I babysat had 2 Baby Songs videos which he loved to watch. I found that songs like Today I Took My Diapers Off and Sitting In My Highchair would be running through my head for days. Years later, after having a child of my own, I was delighted to discover that many of those same catchy tunes that I remembered from my babysitting days had been compiled in DVD format. We started by renting at the library and then purchased our own copies of Original Baby Songs, Baby's Busy Day, Baby Songs ABC, as well as this Baby Songs Animals video. I prefer Original Baby Songs and Baby's Busy Day to the other two we own, but in all fairness, my kids seem to adore all four equally. Yes, the songs are a bit corny and the hairstyles and clothes are a bit outdated (which I find endearing in a nostalgic sort of way), but your baby, toddler, or pre-schooler is sure to adore it. Isn't that what really matters? Be aware that this video contains only 9 songs, excluding the Baby Songs theme, which runs at the beginning and end of each Baby Songs DVD. This is roughly half the number of songs on the other Baby Songs DVDs we own. Our copy has been mislabled as having a running time of 45 min. I timed from the start of the Baby Songs theme to the end credits and it was actually only 25 minutes long. I don't mind this since I think this is a very appropriate length for a DVD designed for the pre-school set, but you definitely get less Baby Songs for your buck with this one. The songs are all very Baby Songsish, sweet and corny, wholesome and fun. Our personal favorite is "Amazing". Each verse of this song names a bunch of different animals and flashes a picture of each animal as it is named. My kids looooove the real animal footage and I do too since it is something like a trip to the zoo minus the slimy sunscreen and overpriced snacks. My only criticism of this song is that when they name chickadee they flash a picture of a fuzzy, yellow chick, when in reality a chickadee is a bird that looks more like a fat sparrow than a baby chicken. Still, we can't get enough Baby Songs and I would buy this DVD again in a heartbeat.

Not a favorite but tolerable........2006-05-12

Positives -

Happy & friendly, none of the harsh sarcasm seen on many kids cartoons nowdays.

Soothing on the nerves of a baby and mommy sick of Barney and puppet shows!

Nice background for keeping playtime mellow or white noise for napping in a busy house.

Negatives -

Video isn't very interesting, very generic. My son adores animals but he snored through this.

Songs are VERY VERY long and complex for baby songs. Itsy Bitsy Spider congradulations, your epic adventure has been imortalized with this new ballad of your saga! Good luck learning them all I get the warm fuzzies being right occasionally while singing this with my baby, but we aren't exactly video freaks.

Should be called toddler songs not baby songs, my baby showed very little interest in this video til he started teetering on the toddler stage.

Average customer rating:

Political Satire in Cartoon form.
A Powerful Cartoon
God Bless You Mr. Orwell!
A Fine Film - But Not For Kids
Not bad, but...

Animal Farm
Starring: Gordon Heath , and Maurice Denham
Director: Joy Batchelor , and John Halas
Manufacturer: Homevision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Animal Farm
Fahrenheit 451
Animal Farm
Of Mice & Men (1992)
Animal Farm (Signet Classics)

ASIN: B0002ZYDUG
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Amazon.com

A rare example of mainstream animation being used to tell a highly political story, Animal Farm retains its value as a vivid adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel. Characters were eliminated, certain elements of plot were simplified, and the book's gloomy ending was softened to offer a glimmer of hope, but Orwell's parable of the Russian revolution--retold as a revolt among not-so-equal barnyard animals--remains potently intact. As produced by the famous British animation studio run by John Halas and Joy Batchelor, this still-important 1954 film is anything but kiddie fare; it steadfastly avoids sentiment, and despite its slightly more upbeat ending this is still a story that involves exploitation, death, betrayal, and an inevitable uprising that goes a step beyond Orwell's pessimistic conclusion. With British actor Maurice Denham supplying all the voices and Gordon Heath providing newsreel-like narration, this economical, documentary-like telling of Orwell's tale was criticized for its "Disneyfied" style, but the animation is actually quite striking in its European influence and bold use of symbolism. It has aged, and some of its impact has been lost to the course of history, but it's an essential addition to any serious animation collection. Excellent commentary and a 30-minute "making of" featurette place this extraordinary milestone of British animation in proper historical context. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Based on the classic novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm tells the story of a group of farm animals who successfully revolt against their cruel human owner, only to be enslaved anew by the unscrupulous pig Napoleon, whose slogan is "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Presented here in its 50th Anniversary edition, Animal Farm combines superb animation, brilliant Technicolor®, and a host of memorable characters to create a timeless fable.

Customer Reviews:

Political Satire in Cartoon form........2007-05-21

The animation of this low budget 1954 British cartoon Film isn't in the same league as Disney's extravaganza's of the same period.

But what it lacks in polish it more then makes up for in substance.

~~~~

The long suffering animals of Manor Farm have finally had enough of farmer Jones's abuses,and launch a revolution.

Driving him out,and off the farm.

But for the animals this is the start of something much worse.

~~~~

George Orwell(a Democratic Socialist)and life long member of the Independent Labour party,wrote this Anti-Stalinist Allergory not as a satire against Marxism(Orwell agreed with many of Marx's policies,and respected Lenin.)but about the corruption of the Stanlinist years.

Millions of ordinary Russian's suffered and perished under his tyranny.

To Help people whom may have not read this excellent book.

Here's a list of the Main characters,and whom they represent.

Farmer Jones = Nicolas 2nd of Russia.

Napoleon = Stalin.

Snowball = Trotsky.

Napoleon's personal bodygaurd = The K.G.B.

Squealer = Pravda.

Boxer = A tragic Avatar of the Russian working class.

Benjamin = Russian Jews.

Old Major = A mixture of Lenin & Marx.

Mr Fredrick = Adolf Hitler.

Mr Pilkington = The UK & US.

~~~~

When Napoleon replaces the song,"Beasts of England" with the deliberately inane "Animal Farm",this is meant to reflect when Stanlin replaced

"The Internationale" with the "Hymn of the Soviet Union".

The ending of the film is much more upbeat then the Novel as it has the Animals revolting against Napoleon's regime.

But as what's happened to the Soviet Union since 1989,I'd say the Film is more accurate.

The royalties from the book gave Mr Orwell a comfortable living for the rest of his life.

First published UK 17/8/45,US 26/8/46.

Time Magazine has had this Novel in it's all time 100 best books since published.

A Good Film and Book.Strongly Recommended.

A Powerful Cartoon.......2006-07-29

Animal Farm, based on a novel by George Orwell, is ostensibly about a group of animals who rebel against the drunken farmer who owns them, and abuses them. They begin running the farm themselves. Their revolution is corrupted into tyranny which eventually becomes worse than the human farmer's regime.
A not-so-veiled criticism of totalitarianism under Stalin, many events portrayed in the DVD correspond to real events that took place in the Soviet Union.
If there's one thing wrong with this film, it's the ending. Orwell wrote an ending that was biting and necessary. By giving the film an upbeat ending, it somewhat undermines a first rate film. But I can't ignore the power of the previous 73 minutes, so I'm still recommending it.

God Bless You Mr. Orwell!.......2006-04-23

His legacy to us; Animal Farm, 1984, Down and Out in London and Paris, Keep the Aspidistra Flying; and so many other good stories is an incredible treasure trove. Here's hoping that those who watch this cartoon take a few hours, and read these books. Surprisingly easy reading too; George Orwell always felt that to say something clearly was most important. His ideas tend to stick with you. This movie version of Animal Farm is true to the book with the exception of the ending. The live action 1999 movie was not as good as this version and also suffers from a misleading ending. With the movie 1984 the book is better than either movie versions. After reading Down and Out, you'll never look at a restaurant the same way; and Aspidistra is about selling books - and living free; sort of like the modern drop out from society who still will work an undemanding job that leaves his soul free. Down and Out is similar in this sense. In fact all of these titles have living free as a central core theme. Even when the animal society fails the attempt was noble, and the revolution was inspired by freedom. Even when 1984's Winston sits arrested in a totalitarian world, he has never the less lived his life seeking freedom, and you get the idea others like him exist there in that world. This DVD is an incredible restoration with listenable sound. Enjoy! God bless you Mr. Orwell!

A Fine Film - But Not For Kids.......2006-02-26

Animal Farm, based on a novel by George Orwell, is ostensibly about a group of animals who rebel against the drunken farmer who owns them, and abuses them. They begin running the farm themselves. Their revolution is corrupted into tyranny which eventually becomes worse than the human farmer's regime.

A not-so-veiled criticism of totalitarianism under Stalin, many events portrayed in the DVD correspond to real events that took place in the Soviet Union. However, the DVD may be understood as a critique of totalitarianism, no matter where or when it appears.

Maurice Denham, the Mel Blanc of England, performed the voices of all the animals in the film. It is worth seeing the DVD for that alone.

Not bad, but..........2006-01-28

this in an uninspired telling of a transparent political fable. Good enough to watch once.

Average customer rating:

Simply beautiful
bad horsie

Zoo (Widescreen)
Starring: John Paulsen , Richard Carmen , and CJ
Director: Robinson Devor
Manufacturer: Velocity / Thinkfilm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000Q66QFQ
Release Date: 2007-09-18

Customer Reviews:

Simply beautiful.......2007-06-27

Devor has created an aesthetic masterpiece with this film, which I first saw at Sundance this year. Don't let the debate over the subject matter impact your decision to watch this film. It is too weird and beautiful to focus on such a hollow point. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a good introduction to the Gonzo Filmaking that is sweeping the documentary world.

bad horsie.......2007-05-28

This is an idiot who ends up on the business end of a horse flounder.
These are not normal folks, they're about as broken as it gets. I don't care that this movie is attempting to make them seem like yer next door pals.
Darwin is laughing, Pookie is laughing,
and Mr. Ed just popped a guys O ring.

Average customer rating:

Hats Off to George Orwell
A good offering for the price
NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A PIG!

Animal Farm

Manufacturer: Digiview Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Animal Farm
Animal Farm
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ASIN: B0009JOC3I

Product Description

Region-free release of the 1954 British animated classic, based on Orwell's prophetic novel. Full-frame transfer. Slim-line case.

Customer Reviews:

Hats Off to George Orwell.......2006-04-23

His legacy to us; Animal Farm, 1984, Down and Out in London and Paris, Keep the Aspidistra Flying; and so many other good stories is an incredible treasure trove. Here's hoping that those who watch this cartoon take a few hours, and read these books. Surprisingly easy reading too; George Orwell always felt that to say something clearly was most important. His ideas tend to stick with you. This movie version of Animal Farm is true to the book; with 1984 the book is better than either movie versions. After reading Down and Out, you'll never look at a restaurant the same way; and Aspidistra is about selling books - and living free; sort of like the modern drop out from society who still will work an undemanding job that leaves his soul free. Down and Out is similar in this sense. In fact all of these titles have living free as a central core theme. Even when the animal society fails the attempt was noble, and the revolution was inspired by freedom. Even when 1984's Winston sits arrested in a totalitarian world, he has never the less lived his life seeking freedom, and you get the idea others like him exist there in that world. This DVD is an excellent value, and is the entire uncut movie with listenable sound, for a fair price. Enjoy! God bless you Mr. Orwell!

A good offering for the price.......2006-03-06

This is a good rendition of Orwell's classic Animal Farm. And a good value for the low price [but you may be able to find it a little cheaper].

Some additional info from the DVD back:
Animal Farm, Britain's first animated feature, is based on George Orwell's classic novel, which has been on school reading lists since its creation. It is set on a farm in England and depicts a revolution by the resident animals vs. Farmer Jones. The use of animals to represent the different social classes is masterful. This picturesque animation feature is a satire based on the Soviet Union of old. offering humor and irony meant for both children and adults. It was prophetic in detailing the events that would occur in Eastern Europe stating in 1989.

Starring: Gordon Heath [narrator], Maurice Denham [voices]
Director: Joy Batchelor, John Halas

NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A PIG!.......2006-01-16

ANIMATED BUT STILL A HARD HITTING PROPHETIC PARABLE ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION ---

IN A NUTSHELL:

I have just enjoyed "Animal Farm", the animated feature, for the first time and I was truly impressed. Its stark animated realism, augmented by its dispassionate style of narration, gave the film a sense of inevitability which added to its weight as a 20th century parable, created from the famous work by George Orwell.

WHERE THE FILM GOES: "ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS!"

As most people point out, it is a slightly simplified and more upbeat [in the finale] rendering of Orwell's original literary work, but it is still rather hard-hitting and prophetic. Nevertheless, the personifications of farm animals turned into historic figures like Napoleon the Pig are startling depictions, and mirrored much of what happened in the 20th century, concluding with the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.

LESSON: ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY?!

Neatly depicted are the "Commandmants" which, as the ruling pigs evolve and change hands, begin to be broken by simply revising them to suit the needs of the MORE EQUAL ANIMALS. Ultimately, the reasons for the original revolution -- a desperate need to end the horrible conditions that were brought about by the exploitation of the many by the few -- repeated in the stunning finale. The results are rather predictable, but maybe they weren't when Orwell wrote the book. In any event, it seems to be a parable which needs to be brought frequently to our attention as humans, not just to the animals that are more or less equal to their neighbors in the barnyard.

ABOUT THE DVD:

I have the DVD pictured and described on this site. It is a remastered, 73 minute, color, animated feature produced by "Digiview" which looks and sounds quite exceptonal for a 51-year-old film. These films, which often sell for a little as $1. new and remastered on DVD, are excellent values that belie their true worth.

Average customer rating:

ANIMATED BUT STILL A HARD-HITTING PROPHETIC PARABLE
ANIMAL FARM BASED ON GEORGE ORWELL'S BEST SELLER

Animal Farm Animated Feature Film

Manufacturer: Digiview Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00078I2A0

Customer Reviews:

ANIMATED BUT STILL A HARD-HITTING PROPHETIC PARABLE.......2005-12-12

ANIMAL FARM BASED ON GEORGE ORWELL'S BEST SELLER.......2005-03-05

ENGLISH
FULLFRAME
73 MINUTES
COLOR
INTERACTIVE MENUS
SCENE SELECTION
PREVIEWS.

ANIMAL FARM, BRITAIN'S FIRST ANIMATED FEATURE, IS BASED ON GEORGE ORWELL'S CLASSIC NOVEL, WHICH HAS BEEN ON SCHOOL READING LISTS SINCE ITS CREATION. IT IS SET ON A FARM IN ENGLAND AND DEPICTS A REVOLUTION BY THE RESIDENT ANIMALS VS. FARMER JONES. THE USE OF THE ANIMALS TO REPRESENT THE DIFFERENT SOCIAL CLASSES IS MASTERFUL.

THIS PICTURESQUE ANIMATION FEATURE IS A SATIRE BASED ON THE SOVIET UNION OF OLD, OFFERING HUMOR AND IRONY MEANT FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS. IT WAS PROPHETIC IN DETAILING THE EVENTS THAT WOULD OCCUR IN EASTERN EUROPE STARTING IN 1989.
DIRECTED BY JAY BATCHELOR AND JOHN HALAS.

RAVE REVIEWS FOR GORDON HEATH (NARRATOR) AND MAURICE DENHAM (VOICE OF ALL THE ANIMALS) FOR A FINE JOB BRINGING THIS CLASSIC TO THE WORLD OF ANIMATION.

Beyond Closed Doors: Science, Ethics and Politics of Farm Animal Welfare

Average customer rating:

Far reaching ramifications of industrialized agriculture

Beyond Closed Doors: Science, Ethics and Politics of Farm Animal Welfare
Starring: Bernard Rollin; Temple Grandin; Mike Appleby; Bill Niman; Holly Cheever; Vandana Shiva; Gene Baur; Emily Levine; Steven Wise; John Webster; Marc Bekoff; Jeffrey Masson
Director: Hugh Dorigo
Manufacturer: Sandgrain Films LLC
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Science & Technology | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000O76C4W
Release Date: 2006-11-01

Customer Reviews:

Far reaching ramifications of industrialized agriculture.......2007-05-21

Beyond Closed Doors is a departure from most approaches to the issue of factory farming. While footage of confinement systems is shown, it is used only to inform the viewer of the reality, not as shock value.

The variety of experts interviewed is truely impressive, ranging from scientists, ranchers, veterinarians, academics and more. Segments featuring organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Humane Association, are particulary thought provoking as both refused to answer any direct questions pertaining to factory farming.

The film evaluates numerous aspects of modern agriculture while always keeping the viewer aware of the bigger picture and how these issues can actually affect our lives and our democratic system of government.

Ultimately the pragmatic approach of the filmmaker leads to a documentary that is hard hitting yet not condescending or inflamatory. The film is a fresh approach to issues that rarely receive in depth treatment in the media.

Average customer rating:

Black Beauty [Mini-DVD]
Starring: Sean Bean , David Thewlis , Jim Carter , Peter Davison , and Alun Armstrong
Director: Caroline Thompson
Manufacturer: Warner Bros. Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006IGWJ4
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Description

The Big World of DVD Just Got Smaller! Introducing the new, evolutionary personal Mini-DVD player from CyberHome; the CH-MDP 2500 uses a 3-inch Mini-DVD disc that will enable you to enjoy DVD on the go with unprecedented portability and ease of use. Weighing only twelve ounces, it's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, a backpack or in your pocket! In addition, the Mini-DVD discs are compatible in standard tray-loading DVD players! And there's more - it also comes with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack for up to 3 hrs of running time and a charging cradle so you'll never have to buy batteries! Great for long trips or quiet time, the CyberHome CH-MDP 2500 is a personal, portable, and easy to use Mini-DVD player wherever you or your family goes. Anna Sewell's novel Black Beauty has been one of the world's most beloved animal stories since its 1877 publication. The story is told by its hero, a remarkable black horse with a white "star" on his forehead, whose joyous and heartbreaking life takes him from idyllic country life to London's cobblestoned streets. Written and directed by Caroline Thompson (1993's The Secret Garden), this is the most faithful of the book's several ?lmings. You'll cherish rebellious ?lly Ginger, mischievous pony Merrylegs and gallant Beauty, whose generous heart guides him under caretakers both kindly and harsh, from Farmer Grey (Sean Bean) and young groom Joe Green (Andrew Knott) to sweet-natured cabbie Jerry Barker (David Thewlis).

DVD:

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