Animal Farm (1954) - AniMat’s Classic Reviews

All animated films are equal, but some are more equal than others
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[@laura_kristiansen]

that intro deserves an oscar

[@danielattrell]

And his intro for his Norm of the North review

[@diaquallo]

Yup

[@Jcea20]

Does it still deserve a Oscar

[@worthybutter2004]

@@Jcea20 I'd say so.

[@Jcea20]

Yes

[@GingerBeanie]

And on his farm he had communism

[@TheSupergamer300Show]

E-YI-E-YI-O

[@definitelycatherine7296]

Ee I ee I, oh god.

[@peucoman]

+Definitely Catherine WITH A TROTSKY HERE AND A STALIN THERE! HERE A MARX! _THERE A MARX _*_EVERYWHERE A MARX! MAAAAAAAAAAAAAARX!_*

[@TheSupergamer300Show]

ANIMALS CONCURRED THE FARM, EVERYONE'S EQUAL! (Exceptsomearemoreequalthanothers.)

[@austinreed7343]

+ThePotatoKing And Soon he Became Big Brother, but Napoleon's still his name-o!

[@jamescoppock4448]

It's wonderful to see that Britain's first animated feature had animation at Disney quality.

[@sammyt7981]

When I first clicked on this video to watch the review I immediately thought that this was going to be a dark and disturbing Disney movie

[@cofagrigusfan24]

we are not even at the Anrgy Bird movie yet, and we are allready facing evil pigs on this channel

[@jesusrox4u]

Lol. Yep. That's very true.

[@Luisidades]

In the book, Snowball flees away, he doesn't die, it simbolizes Troskty, who fleed to Mexico thanks to the persecution of Stalin. He ended up killed tho...

[@theeternalslayer]

They killed him in the movie to represent how stalin banished trotsky and assassinated him later on. But yes in the book and 1999 TV movie snowball is run out of animal farm by the dogs

[@leighrmifan]

There's one touch in the human design that I really like. In most characters (such as Whymper), their noses resemble pig snouts more than human noses.

[@MrGojira95]

I was shown this movie in 5th grade. My class were a bunch of derps because my class fell asleep except for me. I was blown away by how intelligent the movie felt. And it taught me communism before I knew what the word was. XD

[@theawesomelegolover168]

That is COOL!

[@hopeschannel9490]

I just watched the movie today and I’m in 5th grade everybody in my class were happy when Napoleon died lol 😂

[@JourneyToTheCage]

Seems a bit early to show it. No 5th grader knows what communism or knows about Russian history for it to mean anything

[@lisagalvan6884]

My civics class watched some of the film before the end of the school year back in June. I loved it.

[@shrimp-buffet]

I was actually shown this when I was really REALLY young, (I don't even remember how old I was) and I'm surprised how well I remember it! I'm also surprised that I wasn't scared by it, since I was one of the most easy to frighten child out there.

[@Hayden_Cat]

Everyone's equal *whispers but some are more equal then others*

[@NerdyNinja]

OMG THE INTRO XDD

[@carlosmelgarc4149]

Me too! ;D

[@danielattrell]

I personally thought his intro in his Norm of the North review was better. But this one was still great 😂

[@theawesomelegolover168]

Tell me about it!

[@asdlom]

Funny thing is, when we were shown this movie in class after reading the novel, we weren't shown the ending where the animals rise up against the pigs. In fact, this is the first time I'm hearing about the ending.

[@WillieManga]

Maybe they cut it out because it wasn't important. In fact, it was kinda jarring in my opinion.

[@Jillybean711]

+asdlom Same here.

[@ShadowTheYoukai]

Or maybe, ya know, they didn't want to give their students *ideas*... food for thought. ;)

[@graciegj63]

@@ShadowTheYoukai Yep.

[@asdlom]

the bell for the next class rang, but we just never finished the movie.

[@jlbdreamscape2894]

The end didn't really change the intent of the story too much for me because Orwell did mean for this to be propaganda when he wrote it. He wanted to show the flaws in the communism of the USSR and how the politicians were able to use it to gain power as a vehicle to make people think and not repeat the past. If you think about it that is propaganda and the ending of the film doesn't really hurt the story or change what it was. I do like the book better than the movie but its good as well.

[@ElectricDragon505]

+JLBDreamscape You do bring up some really good points, but I think my problem with the end is just that the movie feels like it needs to spell out the message at the end instead of letting the audience think like the book did. This is still a great movie from a great book though, that doesn't change

[@bencox3641]

+JLBDreamscape This idea that Stalin was evil is nothing more than anti communist propaganda and Leon Trotsky was not a real communist.

[@durece100]

+dangerman 7730 I think Chicken Little 2005 belongs Animat's Classic Films.

[@RollOnToVictory]

+durece100 hahahahahaha!!!!

[@durece100]

RollOnToVictory What's so funny?

[@ebwarg]

Another change was having Farmer Jones get some of his friends together to form a quickly repelled vigilante group. In the book, he tries to get his neighbors to help him, but they refuse because they were never on good terms and hope to benefit from Jones’ misfortune, something I took to be a metaphor for the need for countries to be on good terms with their neighbors.

[@leighrmifan]

While this book was part of my school's curriculum, we had to analyse Of Mice and Men instead. After school had finished though, I gave Animal Farm a read. I ended up loving it more than Of Mice and Men, and is now my favourite novel of all time. (Of Mice and Men being second favourite) Both films - I think - did justice to the spirit and message of the book. Even if the 1999 live action movie was a bit shit, I think some of the imagery is spot on. But the animated film is one of my favourite animated films of all time, and indeed one of my favourite films of all time. Glad to see that you like it as well.

[@monkofdarktimes]

true

[@Dan-pq1bh]

The book was so good that I cried while reading it.... mostly for Boxer.

[@Skyebright1]

Poor boxer ;(

[@lavriccat2011]

Boxer is a typical brainwashed idealistic Soviet man.

[@charleynewman5057]

Boxer is the working man.

[@lbcat1177]

Boxer was my favorite... :(

[@PumpkinSmasher79]

The book needs a new movie adaptation. Still a cartoon, but more gruesome and adult.

[@pgj1997]

Pumpkin Smasher79 the film was adult in the first place

[@trippcory]

There is a live action adaptation with Patrick Stewart as Napoleon and Kelsey Grammar as Snowball, and I actually found it more entertaining than the animated film.

[@charleynewman5057]

BlueOokashi Good. Maybe some of these kids will see it then.

[@motorwayt-s628]

They should add more updated things like napoleon not trusting some of the pigs and have them killed too just like Stalin did

[@bromodragone8405]

An anime perhaps?

[@Shade2800]

One of few books in high school that I actually enjoyed as well.

[@memelord4372]

Me too it was pretty good I forgot the horse's name but when we got set to the factory I was so sad

[@Skyebright1]

+JJ _Gaming boxer ;(

[@lovergalbb]

really? we read the book in Y6 and i HATED IT!! it was so boring! but i was only 11 so i didn't really get what was going on

[@Shade2800]

Wolf Mounty Yeah, I think it's one of those things you have to be older to fully understand and appreciate.

[@lovergalbb]

IKR. it was stupid of our teacher to give us such an advanced book.

[@theviper1999uk]

I think the end is meant to show that it's a never-ending cycle of revolution and oppression with the donkey becoming the new leader

[@toboe99]

Boxer and Benjamin were adorable friends

[@Boney1807]

Animat, I'm so glad you chose to do this one.

[@MackenziiRivers]

this movie scared me when i was younger, especially at Boxer's death, my favourite character. Watership down scared me more because i watched that when i was about 5 for the first time, but this film still got me only around when i was 10 years old.

[@Recessbiru]

Actually narration is done by Gordon Heath and Maurice Denham did all other character's voices.

[@Edmar_Fecler]

0:09 DAMN that escalated quickly! XD

[@sk00ks41]

I remember the part where Boxer is taken away was the first thing that actually made me cry in a book.

[@trippcory]

Here's how they could have altered the other commandments: "Whatever goes on two legs as an enemy...unless Napoleon says otherwise" "Whatever goes on four legs is a friend...again, unless Napoleon says otherwise." "No Animal shall wear clothes...that are worn or ragged."

[@BucketOfFuk]

Hmm, something thab crossed my mind about the ending was how historically accurate it was. The film was made in 1954, the year after Stalin's death, whereas the book was published in 1945 when Stalin was still up and going. I suppose that the CIA wanted to give the viewers a more satisfying ending, as opposed to Napoleon getting a stroke. Basically, they wanted to portray the rise and fall of one man's regime and also satisfy the viewers who have started to sympathize with the other animals by showing the animals take matter into their own hand. Personally though, I prefer the ending of the book. Correct me if I'm wrong with this theory,

[@pikminfan6778]

Animals conquer the farm. Everyone's equal! (butsomearemoreequalthanothers)

[@Nikki_Hedgehog]

That intro tho

[@PinkieLopBun]

Lol, best opening ever!

[@christophhenninger6440]

In our school, when we got to learn english, animal farm was one of the movies, in fact the first one I think, that we watched. Mostly when there was a holiday coming up and there was not enough space to learn something new there. And our teacher brought that movie up several times, which makes it the first one I have seen in english and understood.

[@dagnijaziemele9104]

Interesting fact since my country was a part of Soviet Union the Animal Farm book was on the list of forbidden books.

[@JourneyToTheCage]

I'm guessing it's in the Caucasian region. Azerbaijan, Armenia or Georgia. Am I correct?

[@lavriccat2011]

For reading this book in 70-s I could be kicked out of University.

[@EpicMickey777]

Part of this movie was featured in the music video for the phenomenal song Hallelujah Money by Gorrilaz.

[@TWKReviewsOLD]

That might be the funniest intro ever. Also, fantastic review. I'll have to rewatch this movie again sometime.

[@monkofdarktimes]

All Art Is Propaganda - George Orwell Stay strong Winston and Julia and Benjamin and Old Major

[@KangaKucha]

I miss the USSR and how it was before 1989...

[@brycenator100]

Had to watch this video in my History Class in High School a long time ago. Nostalgia

[@Hewylewis]

When you first started singing, your voice reminded me of Brak from Space Ghost Coast to Coast! :D

[@jessicabogen8388]

I personally liked the ending, it still leaves the animals to have to rebuild the farm.

[@owencrimes5122]

That intro almost killed me

[@ClopinGirl64]

Wow! I've gotta check this film out.

[@sophiehanssel2017]

Yes, you should. I really like it because one of the animators for "Yellow Submarine" worked on it

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

It's on KZbin

[@stevennorthrup5790]

Even tho the film is still under copyright

[@1945joshuaruiz]

Also the end of the film could depict the fall of communism and USSR in 1991

[@xxkittyxx2599]

1945joshuaruiz the movie came out in the 50s

[@1945joshuaruiz]

Kitty Creator well that's how it collapsed

[@monkofdarktimes]

true

[@WillieManga]

Kinda interesting in hindsight, since that was decades later.

[@micharosa6201]

Well technically the ending could depict as economical problem and uprising at the same time. First because animals were in hunger and if rest of animals didn't rise up the could die from hunger sooner or later considering the fact that the could still eat the grass, but still. Second one is obvious, but also it is worth mentioning that in other former comunist countries, they technically rise up, but in diferent way by doing some activities in secret (like throwing out papers as giving willingness to join a group of labour union against comunism or other mockery stuff) , also the fact mentioning is that when Gorbachow was the leader of USSR he told true about the fate of last tzar an his family which made people feel uncomfortable and also the fall of Berlin wall. Of course it can be metaphor for Stalin' death and fall of his impact on comunism - When he died it's not surprise that people feel relief, but not completly, coz it wasn't any better after that and 3 years after his death when his sucessor Gierogij Malenkow set off from function of head of country his succesor Nikita Krushchew (who also took the function of chairman in 1958 after Bulganin, who replace Malenkow in 1955) cleanesed the victims of Stalinism and told part of true about his regime. Of course it wasn't that much better like building the Berlin wall or attempt to deployment of rocket missiles in Cuba (who btw was unsucesfull), because USA got missles in Turkey, Italy.

[@speedhedgehog455]

Somebody! Get him to do the Sonic OVA!!

[@ecg73]

This is a great year

[@alexandragutierrez393]

Man, I used to love this movie when I was little. Also, best. Intro. EVER!!! I hope that Gay Purr-ee's next

[@christopherjordan6235]

1954 was also the same year that Godzilla was released in japan as Gojira!!!

[@TheDerpyBoi]

The fact in the uk it was somehow rated U is amazing

[@lucariofan6045]

Top 10 Best Anime Openings

[@blutackguy]

Thank you, Mat! This is one of my favourite animated features of all time! I simply adore this film!

[@windoweat4639]

I saw this movie when I was about 5. I had no idea what was going on.

[@SaiyanGamer95]

I remember seeing this movie in high school for my English class. Though I can't recall if we actually read the book. By far, what really stuck out to me were the deaths scenes and how haunting they were. Hearing Snowball's squeals of panic as the dogs mercilessly killed him offscreen sent chills down my spine and reminds me of the death of Kala's (Tarzan's adopted gorilla mother from the Disney's Tarzan movie) child when he (or she) was killed by Sabor, the leopardess. You can hear the child's panicked screams as they're killed offscreen. And personally, I found the ending to the movie to be a vicious cycle. The animals (mainly the pigs) rose up and overthrew the humans, but got greedy and self-important, effectively replacing the humans. Now, the animals, lead by Benjamin are rising up again to overthrow the pigs. The way I see it, the cycle would repeat with the donkeys, or at the very least, Benjamin, taking control and replacing the pigs.

[@kylahc6982]

SaiyanGamer95 I was thinking of the same thing, including when Boxer was taken away. Both of these characters’ demises really gave me so much sadness and pain because I used to believe in their good qualities while watching this movie.

[@junellarosemedina9766]

In terms of being faithful to the book, I’d argue that there were actually a lot of changes: Old Major dying a few days after his speech, Snowball running away rather that immediately being murdered, etc. A lot of characters were deleted or changed I assume to not overwhelm the movie since a book has more opportunities to explain and breath compare to film. Muriel, Clover, and Mollie were taken out entirely. Benjamin was an old donkey that didn’t care to take a stand but still did his part. What the film did do right with making these changes is that they 1.) simplified the characters to keep the focus more towards the story and 2.) the changes didn’t impact or lessen the message. With all this in mind the book and film are great to show how a movement can start with equality and good intentions can transform to being as great an evil if not more that inspired people (or animals in this case) to revolt for change. With wanting a better future, the majority manipulated become controlled by the powerful minority.

[@CharlotteMacrickens]

Don't forget that they made another change by not having Boxer say his two mottos, "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right" and of course, we know that the animals and a few human characters don't talk in this film except for Napoleon, Squealer, and another human character I don't know his name.

[@tmamone83]

*sobs* I was with him to the very end *looks around suspiciously then continues to fake-cry*

[@Midna127]

I had to read this book for summer reading. And that song basically summed it up for me. 😂

[@Dashathan01]

That intro is the best thing I have ever seen.

[@GiovanniNero]

still love this book

[@ClaireScullyClaireBlue]

I was shown this in 3rd Year English as we read the boo for our Junior Cert.

[@Uberchix02]

I did not expect that intro to happen but it's fantastic

[@SmashBros2009]

Reading this book back in high school, good memories (Despite how dark the book is).

[@itsmebeter3538]

I love this book

[@andrewkuder4159]

1954!? Dang, is this the oldest movie you've reviewed?

[@mc.gemstone]

+Andrew Kuder (BlueGuy98) yeah seems like it

[@godnicklol7596]

Until he hopefully one day reviews Snow White and the seven dwarfs

[@Metalguy40]

This film really disturbed me when I was young. It was so Ba, I didn't eat bacon for I think a week.

[@InazumaDash]

+Metalguy40 The question is why you got to see it at all. It's obviously not a kids film.

[@konata360]

I also watched this as a young child. I of course didn't catch the communism elements, but I understood what was going on. It was a great movie but I was almost convinced I dreamed it up because no one I know has seen it

[@NexoNefarious]

4Chan in a nutshell: 0:00 - 0:26.

[@shadowstriker1240]

your singing is BEAUTIFUL

[@bookerdewitt9136]

Perfect timing! I have to read this in class!

[@Julia-qt5wd]

The death scenes would’ve scarred me as a child. Thankfully I’m 16 now and this is my first time seeing this

[@TheMonsterProduction]

This video was released the same day it was my birthday.

[@SilverSwordsman385]

That opening was on fire!

[@user-mt1ki3gh7r]

A more objective review: Story 9/10 Animation 8/10 Characters 10/10 9/10

[@Da.Liar-Pig]

My rate on the film Story 8.9/10 Animation 9.5/10 The facial expression 7/10 Characters 8/10 The movie 10/10

[@KangaKucha]

Yes the ending is pretty off, especially if you support Communism or miss the USSR, but to their credit it has worked over time. Like this came out in 54, soon after Stalin died and got denounced by his secessor. Otherwise it can be a reference to the fall of Communism in East Europe and the USSR in the late 1980s/early 1990s. So one way or another it does work.

[@Folk62]

2 AniMat seals of APPROVAL!?? Great job team!!! That intro though.

[@yifanwang7136]

Today is my birthday, I'm so happy you upload this video about Animal Farm!

[@yifanwang7136]

Thank you! :D By the way my last crush's name is also Wesley

[@misterbuckethead]

I found this movie a week ago because it was featured in a fan made music video for pink floyd's Dogs. I watched it and was really fascinated the whole time. Its definitely a product of its time but i really enjoyed it. I had to immediately listen to aesop rock's pigs

[@rem.in.wonderland4513]

As much as I love this movie...the ending really left an impact, and not in a good way. It's Admirable for not shying away from the deaths and hardships in Animal Farm, the ending left a very bad and sour taste in my mouth. Guess I'm kind of a purist when it comes to endings...but I just kinda...GREW UP with this ending, so when I saw the movie, I REALLY hated it. I do recommend this story, I do enjoy it, but I do give anyone I recommend it to, a disclaimer on the changed ending. Great movie, but I like the 1999 Adaptation a little more...

[@TsukiCondor]

that intro though

[@giofagan7136]

Were actually reading this book in my 8th grade ela class

[@DiegoDiaz-rs4ej]

The Only Two Voice Actors Gordon Heath: The Narrator - Maurice Denham: Snowball, Napoleon, Mr. Jones, Old Major, Boxer, Benjamin, Squealer, Way Too Many Others

[@GiovanniNero]

finaly i love this book

[@provokedrobin608]

I heard that there’s gonna be a computer animated adaptation of this film, with Andy Serkis directing it

[@ericmartinez6902]

I recommended this for the hat, never thought you would actually do it.

[@mrnemo204]

For me, yea the movie was made back in the 50s but the ending did describe what happened 3 decades later when communism fell in Europe.

[@Toby77c]

I love the beginning

[@cristianvizcarra620]

My god.... the live action one still haunts me

[@SonicGamer96]

Am I the only one who wants to see him review Charlotte's Web now?

[@mastermonty8143]

Our 6th grade teacher showed us this movie

[@jacobbelow4136]

Gay Puree! Interestin choice indeed! Nothing like some good ol'-fashioned Chuck Jones! I might have to check out Animal Farm sometime. I wonder if AniMat will ever review "Watership Down".

[@PyroGothNerd]

He now has.

[@magicalranter224]

Jacob Below he will

[@konata360]

I'm so glad you did this. I thought this was some sort of weird dream I had

[@maheshg4185]

00:00 to 0:27 Oscar Award For Best Anime Theme.

[@kitty4ever763]

Thank you ElectricDragon505 for making always fun/creative reviews with good content; I was wondering if you ever did a review on the animated movie: "Plague Dogs" (1982)? I would honestly enjoy watching and hearing your comment about that movie, since it was an American/British production, and it is considered one of the most dramatic animated movies (made in the Western World) made after Watership Down. Please consider my request!

[@Roadent1241]

I've only seen the live-action version of this story, which was in history class about 6 years ago, and I can barely remember it so maybe I should watch this as well XD And find and read the book.

[@katiedelaney2390]

Definitely read it, I fucking love it.

[@kidokoala]

Did you know the Hallmark Channel made their own version of this movie in 1999?

[@giannis8568]

You should know that there was another reason that the film's ending was different from that of the book, and that was simply the fact that real-life Stalin was already dead when the film was released, and even though communism in Russia didn't ended (yet) with Stalin's death, it became less strict, and showed already the first signs of decline - even Stalin's successors themselves aknoweledged him as a tyrant!!!

[@owlfan2007]

I've also seen Steve reviews talked about how dark this film was

[@DiarraHarris]

I was hoping the next one was "A Cat In Paris" but I guess it'll be "Cat's Don't Dance"

[@Frosty_CH]

He's already done Cat's don't Dance

[@SSlovebird]

+Cameron Holley I don't think he has, but it's definitely not Cats Don't Dance, besides, he said it takes place in France, and Cats Don't Dance takes place in Hollywood

[@lwanco1018]

I have this movie and haven't seen it in years, I think it's time to look at it again.

[@katex2677]

ANIMAT MY MAN I BEEN WAITING FOR A REVIEW OF THIS! Anyway, good on you for talking about the ending and how it ruined the overall point of the story.

[@TheAnimatorOfficial]

Zootopia is modern day Animal Farm!

[@diggerfan9319]

+TheAnimatorOfficial How?

[@lokiwintersoldier6954]

It has some deep social commentary both animal farm and zootopia are modern Aesop tales. Also zootopia is really really good if you haven't seen it, watch it!

[@diggerfan9319]

I did, and now I can see why. Thank you for the information.

[@robbiewalker2831]

+Lokiwintersoldier Though with one Key difference: Animal Farm is about Communism, Zootopia is about Racism.

[@lokiwintersoldier6954]

+Robert Walker yeah

[@davidstradinger9136]

The intro always makes me laugh and I don't know why

[@jjjmadness8306]

This honestly one my favourites movies, I just love how they able to combine communism with barn animals in all seriousness and succeed in doing so.

[@mustachetwirler7617]

Awesome review! Animal farm is my favorite British animated film, and Napoleon is my favorite character.

[@evilmidget]

I cant help but see some shades of Gerald Scarfe in some of the character designs. There were a few shots of Napoleon that reminded me of the butt judge from The Wall

[@thisenumagiliya868]

We are doing animal farm in school as litereature right now

[@Ermwhothefart]

Here you have it folks, Animal Farm in 0:28 seconds