Beautiful, moving film.

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This animated feature film of "Animal Farm" is the first version of George Orwell's famous satire book of the same title. It's surprising that it took Hollywood so long to put this story on film. By the late 1940s there could be no doubt anywhere about the Soviet atrocities under Josef Stalin. No sooner had World War II concluded, than the Soviet Union squared off against the Western powers for the start of the Cold War. Still, it took an American CIA initiative to buy the film rights after Orwell died. That led to this film, although for many years thereafter, no one knew that the film was financed by the CIA. By the late 20th century, Orwell's book was considered a classic. Yet it was delayed for publication nearly two years in England and the U.S. because the U.S.S.R. was an ally during World War II. The book's first printing was in mid-August 1945. The war in Europe had ended and that in the Pacific was coming to a close. Orwell embraced public ownership of industry, but under a democratic government, locally elected. He soon split with others on the left when the U.S.S.R. so quickly became a dictatorship. He wrote "Animal Farm" as a satirical example of the totalitarian methods of Stalin's ascension to power. His story shows how easily the masses were manipulated in the Soviet Union. Of course, no country or leader is named in the book, or the film. But the scenes and stages portrayed in the film follow the steps of the U.S.S.R. since its beginning. This animated version set on a farm has animalism in place of communism. The pigs become the Russian leaders who soon and so easily seem to sway the other animals. The film deviates from the book in places. The ending is completely different and has the animals finally revolting against the pigs. While this cartoon rendition can be a good educational tool, it's not something for young children. That's mostly due to some scenes that can be frightening. The portrayals of some characters are quite ugly and the dogs are shown as vicious beasts. This is a film that modern audiences should watch and pay heed to.

for a viewer from East Europe, it is not exactly only a good adaptation. it is not just a cartoon. but support for memories. and a warning. the book of George Orwell is always a must re-read. but the movie - piece from the Cold War is little more important than only animation film. convincing, in clothes of children movie, it represents in large measure a bitter parable who has new nuances, special force, more perspectives about the dark frame of dictatorship. in its case, the message is more important than artistic virtues. because it remains a powerful warning. not a decent/admirable adaptation, not an old film. but an useful tool for discover and understand the past and, maybe, for transform the future as better script.

The awful thing was the lack of emotion in the film. The director didn't seem to focus on the talks between the animals. What they focused for that short span of time was how the animals did the work with a very little focus on developing the story. It looked as if I was watching an episode of a big TV Series. It seemed that they were in a rush to include everything present in the book. However it is good to know that at least, some attempt has been made to present this novella visually. The animation can be considered to be a little immature but considering the time it is fairly good. What pains most is the absence of emotions between the animals which was amazingly depicted in the book.Verdict - "Read the book alone and wait for some other version to watch."

Saw this ages ago on video and have never forgotten it. It's an animated film about animals taking over a farm. They're supposed to all be equal to each other...but the pigs slowly change things and start taking over.I had read the novel before I saw the movie so I know they changed the ending. I heard it was because of the CIA but considering it's a British movie that's unlikely. Let's face it--the book is VERY depressing and this was done in 1954. A faithful ending would have been too depressing. The fate of the horse in this one bothered me...and I saw it as an adult! But the animation is excellent and the message still comes through. NOT for small children but junior high on up should see it.