Animal Farm

Sorry I don't know what this chat is about. I read the book about 65 years ago and I saw the Hallas Batchelor cartoon made in the 1950s, so I am familiar with the title.

Is this a new film of the book or something different which shares the same name? Sorry to be so dense.

It's an animation of the George Orwell book of the same name.
The technology was good, in the animation I watched. Sorry I don't remember which channel it was on.

It was the message that interested me and which I meant to put up for discussion. The world in a dangerous state right now with resurgence of nationalism in developed countries , and the rise and rise of the moneyed elite in cahoots with the international monopolies and their control of the media.

Orwell's message is that when the imbalance gets too much the workers of the world will rebel again. Remember the delectable Boxer the Horse?

Orwell's message might be a quote from Disraeli, 'power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely ' or there is little difference between worker and master if the roles are reversed. I'm not 100% sure I would agree with your take on it.

I agree Grandmabatty. However the characters in Orwell's story are stereotypes . The tragedy is not in the individuals but in the stereotypes. For instance the entirely lovable Boxer the Horse is completely uncorruptible . Your criticism applies very much to the pig stereotype that demonstrated power corrupting them in various degrees.

I have just started reading the book

Boxer's naivety as nd goodness led to his destruction. Was Orwell implying that goodness has its own flaw? He classed it as a fairy tale so there were bound to be stereotypes of course. Most fairy tales were rooted in fact and had an obvious moral to them.

I think that there are many things done under the blanket of 'kindness' or 'goodness' that cause suffering so I would agree with that I think.

Boxer illustrates the stupidity of ever mindlessly believing everything people in authority tell you is right.

He represents what those in authority want those below them to be and what its invitable conclusion is.

I believe the events and many of the characters in Animal Farm relate to the Russian Revolution. Orwell was very critical of the way communism was developing in Russia where he saw the general population being fed propaganda and lies by their new leaders who had formed a ruling elite.
In the book, the slogan "All Animals Are Equal" becomes added to by the words "But Some Are More Equal Than Others".

It’s rather sad to reduce one of the great 20th century classics and trenchant commentary on contemporary politics to a new animation or a Halas and Batchelor cartoon (which is itself categorised as “comedy/drama” )

Indigo8

I believe the events and many of the characters in Animal Farm relate to the Russian Revolution. Orwell was very critical of the way communism was developing in Russia where he saw the general population being fed propaganda and lies by their new leaders who had formed a ruling elite.
In the book, the slogan "All Animals Are Equal" becomes added to by the words "But Some Are More Equal Than Others".

Yes, never a truer phrase was spoken.

I would recommend the 2019 film "Mr Jones" to anyone interested in the aftermath of of the Russian Revolution.
It is based on a true story and not one for the faint hearted.
George Orwell appears briefly as part of the narrative.

My comments are based on the Novella not any film

Its on Channel 4, I remember Boxer from reading it at school. It's the 50's animation. I have watched about half, I can't watch any more I will cry.

Grandmabatty

My comments are based on the Novella not any film

So are mine.

To understand capitalism (and why it contains the seeds of its own destruction) read Karl Marx's analysis. We are living in the final days.

Oh well Marx, beloved by Corbyn, and Starmer, in his younger days,but who knows what goes on in his mind anyway.
So basically a revolution, as in the French, but look at the end for Danton, Robespierre and Saint-Just, all died under the French razor. Do we really want a bloody massacre such as they had. We may end up with a leader like Macron,a little Napoleon!!! ☺

Not Disraeli, it was Lord Acton.

biglouis

To understand capitalism (and why it contains the seeds of its own destruction) read Karl Marx's analysis. We are living in the final days.

I don't think we have to read Marx to reach that conclusion, biglouis. The evidence is all around us. The only markets that aren't failing are those which sustain and nurture the wealthy.

We won't have a revolution because Stockholm Syndrome is strong in the British 😁

Sorry Loopyloo. My brains were scrambled! Thank you for correcting me

Indigo8

I would recommend the 2019 film "Mr Jones" to anyone interested in the aftermath of of the Russian Revolution.
It is based on a true story and not one for the faint hearted.
George Orwell appears briefly as part of the narrative.

I saw the film ‘Mr Jones.’
It’s available on iPlayer.