Kathryn joins Melvin in discussing an early English adaption of George Orwell’s ground-breaking, genre-defining, and highly-influential novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. In this semi-live BBC rendition, one whose controversy is as historic as it is ironic, Kathryn and Melvin discuss not only the impact of this adaption but also the debilitating hopelessness and powerful insight that only Nineteen Eighty-Four can offer.
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 16-minutes of Kathryn playing “Would You Rather” except, in the theme of 1984, whatever option Kathryn chooses for herself means the opposite happens to Melvin! Hilarity ensures! (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
- This version of Nineteen Eighty-Four is a combination of pre-recorded and live-stage performances streamed to its original audience, and thus includes some interesting quirks that Melvin finds endearing and fascinating.
- Kathryn begins by explaining the complicated history behind this particular adaption of Nineteen Eighty-Four, including the controversy surrounding its initial screening.
- For insight (and giggles!), Kathryn reads a collection of quotes from reviews criticizing the content and tone of this adaption of Nineteen Eighty-Four upon its release.
- Melvin briefly compares this adaption of Nineteen Eighty-Four with the later released Michael Radford version, stating his preferences, and what works so well in this adaption.
- People were so disgusted with the tone and content of Nineteen Eighty-Four that cast and crew members had even received bomb threats.
- Pondering the myth of the Mickey Snow-Globe. Or, as it’s known; Snow-Globe Gate.
- Discussing the iconography of the Snow-Globe.
- Discussing the monologue on language destruction and thought control delivered by Syme in the film (which is an extra fictional essay in the book).
- Discussing the oppression of power and Big Brother.
Recommendations:
- Slapstick, or Lonesome No More! by Kurt Vonnegut (1999) (Book)
- Papers, Please (2013) (Video Game)
Nineteen Eighty-Four is Unrated. It features Peter Cushing, André Morell, Yvonne Mitchell, Donald Pleasance, and Campbell Gray. Directed by Rudolph Cartier. Nineteen Eighty-Four is available here.
Consider supporting Cinematic Doctrine on Patreon! As a bonus, you can gain access to a once-a-month movie poll where you decide a movie we discuss on the podcast, early unedited episodes of the podcast, and merch!!
Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!
Cinematic Doctrine is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other major podcast apps.
Cinematic Doctrine 
Leave a comment