This film is part of Rentals
Animal Farm
Sixty years young, this British cartoon of George Orwell’s political ‘fairy story’ is still the most abiding adaptation of this powerful, cautionary tale for all ages.
Director: Joy Batchelor and John Halas
Overview
Britain’s first animated feature film remains a powerful, cautionary tale 60 years on. What would happen if the animals took over the farm? With the farmer gone the pigs take control. All animals are equal, but are some more equal than others? George Orwell’s novella is famous as a political allegory, but it only works as such because it is also an engaging story. John Halas and Joy Batchelor's accessible animation style brings it to life beautifully.
In recent years the story of the film’s part funding by the CIA as part of an occasionally subtle anti-Soviet propaganda scheme has come to the surface, adding a certain notoriety to the film. The decision to replace Orwell’s original bleak ending with a more upbeat cycle of revolution is as controversial now as it was when the film was released. What is less clear is John and Joy’s knowledge of the arrangement between their production associate, March of Time producer Louis de Rochement, and his ultimate employer, the American secret service. But as Halas & Batchelor had been producing propaganda shorts for the British government since 1942 it is likely that they would have not have found the situation as disquieting as it sounds today.
Contains very mild violence and intense moments
Related
Kensuke's Kingdom Kensuke's Kingdom
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 84 mins Director: Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry
Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel is brought to life in this delightful, animated tale of a young castaway who discovers he’s not alone.
Robot Dreams Robot Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 103 mins Director: Pablo Berger
Spanish director Pablo Berger delivers a rich and emotionally engaging dialogue-free animation about friendship, set in a bustling 1980s New York City.
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2022 108 mins Director: Pierre Földes
Impressive and captivating animated adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s short stories.
Times For Times For
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1970 80 mins Silent Director: Stephen Dwoskin
Four characters go through a series of deeply emotional, psychedelic, sensual, sexual encounters, evoking the times and textures of the 1960s underground.
Estuary Estuary
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1980 49 mins Director: Chris Welsby
Tides rise and fall and the landscape twists around the camera.
Belle Belle
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2021 122 mins Director: Mamoru Hosoda
High-school student Suzu finds her voice in an incredible virtual world that allows everyday people to become extraordinary.
Paddington Paddington
Children's 2014 95 mins Director: Paul King
Unexpectedly beautiful and bewitching return for the marmalade-loving bear with a sense of adventure.
Chicken Run Chicken Run
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2000 84 mins Director: Peter Lord and Nick Park
Mel Gibson’s Rocky the rooster helps the chickens escape from fascistic farmers in Aardman Animations first foray into feature films.
Shaun the Sheep Movie Shaun the Sheep Movie
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2014 85 mins Director: Richard Starzak and Mark Burton
Aardman returns with another delightful animation for young and old, telling the story of Shaun’s adventures in the big city after Farmer is led astray.
Men of Merit (a Lantern Lecture) Men of Merit (a Lantern Lecture)
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 4 mins
Vibrant, progressive animation contrasts with some outdated attitudes in this Electricity Council cartoon on energy usage
Paddington 2 Paddington 2
Children's 2017 103 mins Director: Paul King
Britain’s favourite bear returns for another adventure. Porridge rather than marmalade looks set to be Paddington's new staple after he's framed for a robbery, unless the Brown family can help solve the mystery.
When the Wind Blows When the Wind Blows
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1986 84 mins Director: Jimmy Teru Murakami
A middle-aged couple prepare for nuclear war in this humorous and macabre cautionary tale, adapted by Raymond Briggs (The Snowman) from his best-selling book.
Blanche Fury Blanche Fury
Melodrama 1948 94 mins Director: Marc Allégret
Valerie Hobson stars as the scheming governess with designs on taking over the Fury estate, in this atmospheric Gothic melodrama
Countess Dracula Countess Dracula
Horror 1970 94 mins Director: Peter Sasdy
An ageing countess finds that if she bathes in the blood of virgins her youth is restored.
Recluse Recluse
Crime 1979 29 mins Director: Bob Bentley
Based on the true story of a tragic murder and suicide that took place on the Luxton farm in Devon in the 1970s.
Timestalker Timestalker
Comedy 2024 89 mins Director: Alice Lowe
Alice Lowe's time-jumping fantasy rom-com is a colourful, darkly funny treat.
South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic
Documentary 1919 81 mins Silent Director: Frank Hurley
An extraordinary story of survival in the wastes of Antarctica.
Night Courier (Mandoob) Night Courier (Mandoob)
Comedy 2023 112 mins Director: Ali Kalthami
A desperate delivery driver gets caught up in the dark underworld of Riyadh in Ali Kalthami’s gripping, pitch-black satire.
The Ballymurphy Precedent The Ballymurphy Precedent
Documentary 2018 108 mins Director: Callum Macrae
John Pilger's film on the conflict in Northern Ireland is a skilful mix of investigative journalism, documentary storytelling and reflections on contemporary history.
Utopia Utopia
Documentary 2013 111 mins Director: John Pilger and Alan Lowery
John Pilger's portrayal of the oldest continuous human culture is also an investigation into a suppressed colonial past, and rapacious present.
The Coming War on China The Coming War on China
Documentary 2016 113 mins Director: John Pilger
John Pilger’s prescient 60th film for ITV is both a warning and an inspiring story of resistance.