Review of 1984 (1956)

Moving picture, 90 minutes

The ending is actually a slight improvement in sheer realism over the novel. Absolute mind control is not possible; as Steven Pinker has pointed out, Big Brother’s vision of reshaping people is based on a flawed understanding of human nature. Also fascinating how closely related it feels to Capra’s Why We Fight, yet this was sponsored in part by the CIA; the hate encouraged a decade earlier is now projected as encouraged only by a totalitarian enemy.

moving picture fiction