"1984" Film Adaptation Screening Worksheet 

Introduction:

"1984" is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell and published in 1949. It portrays a totalitarian society ruled by the Party, led by the elusive figure Big Brother. The story follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the Party who begins to question the oppressive regime and seeks freedom of thought. The novel delves into themes of surveillance, propaganda, government control, and the consequences of unchecked power. It has become a classic in literature for its portrayal of a nightmarish future and its commentary on political ideologies and societal control.

                                 (Worksheet 1)                            

                                   (Worksheet 2)

Pre-Screening Tasks

1. Have you read the novel "1984" by George Orwell? If yes, what did you think of it? If no, what do you know about the story?

"1984" follows the story of Winston, who resides in a society dominated by the authoritarian Party government. This government, led by Big Brother, monitors every aspect of citizens' lives and punishes dissent harshly. Despite the pervasive surveillance, Winston rebels against the Party's oppressive regime. He forms a forbidden relationship with Julia, and together they resist the Party's control. However, their rebellion is short-lived as they are eventually apprehended. The novel explores Winston's struggle to maintain his autonomy in a society where even thoughts against the Party are deemed treasonous. It's an enthralling tale of Winston's covert defiance amidst the constant threat of persecution.

2. Have you watched any adaptations of "1984" before? If yes, which ones and what did you think of them? If no, what do you expect from this adaptation?

I haven't watched any adaptation of "1984". There were a couple of things that I expected from the adaptation that we had.I expected it to depict a frightening world where the government had complete control. I wanted to see how people had no privacy and couldn't freely express themselves. I was eager to watch the main character, Winston Smith, dealing with these challenges, where even thinking the wrong thing could get him in trouble. The portrayal of the love story between Julia and Winston was also something I was looking forward to seeing. I was curious about how the character of O'Brien and the torture scenes were carried out in the movie. The last thing i expected was to see the artistic liberty used by the director, but the movie is quite faithful to the plot.

3. What themes or ideas do you think are central to "1984"? Why?

The central themes and ideas in "1984" revolve around totalitarianism, government surveillance, manipulation, and the loss of individual freedoms. These themes are crucial because they highlight the dangers of unchecked power, the erosion of personal liberties, and the consequences of living in a society where the government controls every aspect of people's lives. The novel also delves into the manipulation of truth and reality, the impact of propaganda on society, and the struggle for personal identity and autonomy in the face of oppressive regimes. Overall, "1984" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of defending freedom and truth.

While Screening Task

1. As you watch the film, take note of any major differences from the novel. How do these changes affect the story?

In the movie "1984," Winston and Julia's love story takes center stage, unlike in the book where it's just one aspect of the broader narrative about government control. This shift in focus makes the movie less about the political aspects and more about their romance, possibly making the characters appear less complex and the story less about the chilling world depicted in the book.

The book delves into various elements such as Room 101, Winston's diary entries, and the impactful ending, all of which contribute to conveying the overarching themes. However, the movie overlooks some of these crucial parts, altering the viewer's perception of the story compared to the original novel.

2. How does the film's visual style and cinematography contribute to the story? What mood or tone does it create?

The movie's visual style and filming techniques had a significant impact on its audience, drawing them into the narrative and its key messages. The dark and gritty portrayal of the society effectively conveyed its dystopian nature.

In the movie, symbolic images such as surveillance cameras, government posters, and deteriorating buildings were used to represent themes like surveillance and government control succinctly, without relying heavily on dialogue. These visuals helped illustrate concepts like spying and societal decay.

The cinematography, including close-up shots and quiet moments, prompted viewers to contemplate deeply. It evoked feelings of tension and fear, aligning with the themes of control, surveillance, and resistance depicted in the story.

The movie's portrayal of a dysfunctional world, complete with control and propaganda, was thought-provoking. Its dark atmosphere encouraged reflection on issues like indoctrination, manipulation, and the suppression of free expression.

3. Compare the portrayal of the main characters in the film to your mental image of them from the novel. How are they similar or different?

The movie is failed to reach the exact depth level of the original novel, but it's still a worth watch.

The "1984" movie shows Winston and O'Brien dealing with their thoughts and struggles, but it leaves out some detailed stuff from the book. Winston changes in the movie and follows Big Brother without thinking for himself. O'Brien is strong and mysterious, but we don't see all his reasons like in the book.

Julia is lively and rebels in both the book and movie, acting like she follows the rules but secretly fighting against them.

Overall, the movie dives into the characters' minds, but it doesn't cover everything from the book, especially the deeper thoughts and ideas.

4. What elements from the novel did the film adaptation include or exclude? Were there any major plot points that were left out?

The "1984" movie does a good job showing how strict and controlling the society is, with Big Brother watching everyone and Winston trying to rebel. It also shows his love story with Julia. But because movies can't be too long, they had to cut some stuff. Like, they don't show much about Syme or Winston's past, and they skip scenes from his memories and the nightmares. So, while the movie tells the main story, it doesn't go into all the deep details from the book.

Post-screening Task

1. What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of this film adaptation? How does it compare to other adaptations of "1984"?

Weakness:

One aspect where the film adaptation could do better is by reducing the amount of sexual content. While these scenes might have been included for commercial reasons, they don't add much to the core of the story and its themes. Instead, they might appear excessive and unnecessary, distracting from the overall message.

Furthermore, the film could improve the handling of important scenes, such as Winston's final confrontation with the rats. The sudden transition to a black screen during such a crucial moment feels abrupt and leaves viewers somewhat confused. This lack of clarity lessens the emotional impact of the scene, affecting the audience's connection to the story and its themes.

Strengths:

The film excels in numerous aspects, with its cinematography being a standout feature. It effectively captures the historical context of war and the oppressive ambiance of a dystopian society. Through skillful visuals, the director portrays the grimness of Orwell's world, drawing viewers into the clutches of the totalitarian regime.

Moreover, the film adeptly portrays Winston's character development. The director allows ample room for delving into Winston's internal struggles as he grapples with the oppressive societal norms. This exploration of Winston's psyche, conveyed through subtle performances and visual hints, adds complexity to his character and makes him relatable to the audience.

The incorporation of memory scenes, particularly those depicting Winston finding solace in nature, is also noteworthy. These scenes not only unveil Winston's innermost thoughts but also evoke powerful emotions of yearning and nostalgia, resonating with viewers and amplifying the film's overall impact.

2. How successful was the film in conveying the central themes and ideas of the novel? Were there any aspects that the film failed to capture?

The movie did a great job of capturing the main ideas from the book right from the start. You could feel it with the telescreens everywhere, those unsettling Big Brother posters watching you, and the Ministries giving off that oppressive feeling. The scene with the Two Minutes Hate was powerful and really highlighted how people can be stirred up emotionally, which is a big theme in the story.

They kept showing propaganda on those telescreens, which is exactly what you'd expect in a society where the government has total control. The portrayal of The Book of The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism was spot-on in showing how it's used to manipulate people, and the movie portrayed that aspect effectively.

Overall, the movie stayed true to the main messages and themes of the book, making it a strong adaptation.

3. What is your overall impression of the film? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

Absolutely, I'd totally recommend the movie to others. Even though it tweaks a few things, it stays true to the essence of the book. The way they've shot it really helps you understand the story, and it gets you thinking about our world now and what might happen if things take a bad turn.

Thank you...