1984 (1956)

In a futuristic totalitarian society, a member (Edmond O'Brien) of the semi elite outer party commits the punishable crime of falling in love. He and his lover (Jan Sterling) attempt to keep their romance under cover but that's hard to do when Big Brother is watching! Based on the novel by George Orwell and directed by Michael Anderson (AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS). Sadly, Orwell's 1949 novel is as relevant today as it was over 70 years ago. As the U.S. slowly inches its way to a repressive dictatorship, the film still resonates strongly. It's a bleak and reflective movie and while effective, I wish it had been directed with more flair. As it is, it often feels like I'm being lectured to. Edmond O'Brien gives a rather generic performance but he is playing an everyman character. With Michael Redgrave, Donald Pleasence, David Kossoff and Mervyn Johns.