Animal Farm, directed by John Stephenson, and released in 1999, was based on a book called Animal Farm by George Orwell. Animal Farm, the film, is about book written to describe or set an example of Socialism and Communism. In the beginning of the book, Old Major, the old pig, begins the idea of a rebellion, and dies peacefully later. In the movie, Old Major, voiced by Peter Ustinov, after spreading news of the rebellion is shot by Farmer Jones, acted by Jer O'Leary. Throughout the movie and book, many evils are faced and in the ending of the book, the pigs basically turn into men and the animals are faced with slavery. In the movie, it ends when Clover, Jessie, and several of the other animals run away and come back after Napoleon, voiced by Patrick Stewart, the main antagonist, dies. Throughout the movie, there are multiple life changing choices made by the pigs to further confuse and take advantage of the stupid animals. Most of the plot follows the book, but there are quite a few additions. Besides the major ending change, the biggest and worst change was the "relationship" between Mr. Jones and Mrs. Pilkington. This was added very early on when Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Jones have a "get together" which ends up with Mr. Pilkington getting very drunk and falling asleep. Later, when Mr. Jones goes to his room, Mrs. Pilkington is in his bed. An extremely unnecessary, disturbing, and pointless sexual encounter ensues. This was very wrong to add considering it nearly ruins a film on a very powerful book. Another example is that Old Major is not shot, nor is his skull placed on display. Most importantly, the endings of the book and movie are drastically different considering the fact that the book ends very sadly, and the movie ends with hope. Also, the "traitors" who helped Snowball weren't hung, they had their throats ripped out. It's quite different. Even though that would have been very gory, it doesn't follow the book. Another example is when the pigs used the TV as a distraction and a way to film commercials instead of meetings. This is completely illogical even if it did happen in the book. Would a barn really have electric outlets? Or would pigs know how to film commercials, add music, and captions, and then put them on a TV? No, of course not. They don't even have thumbs. This was clearly just another badly thought out addition to the movie. The movie would have been better off sticking to the books plot and actual themes. Overall, Animal Farm, the film did not stick to the books plot, and added illogical, and even sexual content to the film which distracted and even ruined the books focus on Communism and Socialism. Animal Farm actors and actresses all acted very well, and the voiceover's sounded on top and matched the animal animation. The film quality was a bit blurry, but for a 1999 film it was decent. The animal mouth movements were cheesy, but effective.

The animals start rebelling against farmer Jones and drive him off the farm.The result is an animal farm, a farm led by animals.Animal Farm (1999) is a TV movie directed by John Stephenson.I read George Orwell's original novel from 1945 not too long time ago.This movie I found on a VHS from the library.It has some great voice acting.Kelsey Grammar is the voice of Snowball.Patrick Stewart is Napoleon.Ian Holm is Squealer.Julia Louis-Dreyfus is Mollie.Julia Ormond is Jessie.Paul Scofield is Boxer.Peter Ustinov is Old Major.The late great Pete Postlethwaite is Benjamin.You can also see him as Farmer Jones.The movie's not such a great failure.It may be, if you make too many comparisons between the book and the movie.Orwell's novel is a classic, and this is a so-so movie made of that book.But the movie does have something good.Like Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill was used in a nice way in the end.And Boxer's fate touches you also in the movie, as it did in the book.

George Orwell's novel Animal Farm is a brilliantly written, evocative and powerful work with a wonderful political allegory and strong characters. The 1954 animated film is terrific, it maintains the strong characters and the emotional punch of the book with its only real flaw being missing the point of the ending, the makers thinking it too "downbeat".I will give some credit to this film before explaining my main problems with it. The scenery is beautiful, the animiatronics are good and the voice cast especially Ian Holm is excellent.Sadly, as an adaptation of the book, this version of Animal Farm is pretty poor. Not only is the ending sloppily handled, but there is far too much time spent on the humans and the political allegory that made the book so memorable falls flat here. Whereas the 1954 film's ending missed the point of the book, this version misses it entirely, also the emotional punch is lacking(ie. Boxer being taken away left me cold here). On its own terms it isn't very good either as the film's tone is very uneven. Adults and fans of the book may find it dumbed down and silly, and kids may find it too dark and perhaps sophisticated. The direction is sloppy, the script is very ham-fisted and neither the characters or story are that compelling. The film's pace is variable and never feels right- if anything it is much too rushed, while the film is far too short in its length and the music feels out of place.All in all, incredibly disappointing either as an adaptation or on its own terms. 3/10 Bethany Cox

This film, is just like the book, that I studied at my school, with a group of us. I feel for the animals, yes we do take all their food and milk. and I liked all the voices provided by top actors and actresses. this is what happens when companies take over small businesses, they become like Napolean and the other pigs. in the book, the animals sing beasts of England and beasts of Ireland in the oh my darling Clementine tune, the film version was different. I felt for Jessie the dog when they took away her pups. This I Thought wears unfair. If I'd been an animal on this film, I would of been the farmer's cat and I would of said to the pigs, "How dare you take away those little pups" just you try and take away my kittens, I'll scratch your eyes out" I would give those pigs what for! this DVD lasts 90 minutes, and contains no extras or subtitles, but is not bad for £1 at my local supermarket. I'm going to giver this adaption 10/10 but it fails on the fact that the DVD contains no extras. this does not alter my ratings, as I enjoyed the story. yes the film did follow the book, but the song was changed slightly. How do businesses become like the pigs? the answer is, they make all the decisions for the companies, leaving the small company bosses powerless to control the company. in other words they become greedy! hence the phrase fat cats or in this case fat pigs!