The Cartoons of Halas & Batchelor

Starring:Cartoons of Halas & Batchelor
Studio: Henstooth Video
Product Type: DVD

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

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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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:

Very Good & Unique!
Disappointing

The Cartoons of Halas & Batchelor
Starring: Maurice Denham
Director: John Halas
Manufacturer: Henstooth Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
ASIN: 6305976309
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Customer Reviews:

Very Good & Unique!.......2002-08-19

I was VERY surprised to actually find a video dedicated to Halas & Batchelor to begin with!
As a fanatic of older animation I'm happy to see these films available. However, the 'sound' quality is below standard, for a 'commercial' release I mean, but it is still audible & retains the "transferred-straight-off-a-projector" [slight noise]feel.
The visual resolution is good, but with all the 'film restoration' [sound & vision] these days, it could've been cleaned up for video release.................but either way I'm
VERY satisfied & happy to have it, considering how RARE these cartoons are to get hold of these days!!
I now wish HEN'S TOOTH VIDEO would release further volumes of
H & B with 'The Insolent Matador' & 'The Cultured Ape' and maybe even some of their 'business' films like 'The Columbo Plan', 'Follow that Car' & 'Down a Long Way'...........hint hint! :-)

Disappointing.......2001-02-27

I was looking forward to recieving this DVD - compilations of animated shorts seem to be sorely lacking on DVD for some reason. The visual and sound quality of this selection is truly awful. It looks and sounds as if it's copied from a fifth generation pirated VHS. Halas & Bachelor's seminal 'The Owl & The Pussycat' goes the same way as the other selections on this disc - unwatchable!

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