ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

Gloomy but effective treatment of George Orwell's classic novel about a world immersed in political slavery. The original English release version ends with the two main characters being executed, but the U.S. release version is accurate to the original novel and much more disturbing.

Early scenes in which star Edmond O'Brien enters his tiny apartment and bleakly allows himself to be inspected by the eyeball-like TV camera of Big Brother are unforgettable. When he lies down to sleep, a voice from the speaker softly reminds him that "Big Brother is watching". This scene sets a chilling mood for the whole film.

O'Brien defies the state by falling in love with Jan Sterling. Their struggle to be human and experience love in a loveless world is the cornerstone of this noteworthy film.

Directed by Michael Anderson from a screenplay by William P. Templton and Ralph Bettinson. Also starring Mervyn Johns, David Kossoff, Donald Pleasence, and Michael Redgrave.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[orzel-w]

War is Peace.

Freedom is Slavery.

Ignorance is Strength.
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...or not...

WayneO
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[Bud Brewster]

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The money men are Big Brother today. They track your movements, your interests, your buying choices, and your lifestyle.

They influence your tastes with persuasive advertisements. They show you what's "normal" on TV shows and in movies.

They shape your opinions about politicians and legislation by what they do and don't allow the media to report, and how they have them report it.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Robert (Butch) Day]

The Suits Of LaLaLand prefer larger denominations. Just to say "Hi!" takes at least a $50.00!


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Common Sense ISN'T Common

[scotpens]

The 1956 film adaptation of Orwell's classic dystopian novel is effective in some ways, weak in others. For one thing, I find it hard to buy Edmond O'Brien as Winston Smith -- he just looks too well-fed. And the art direction and set design are just wrong. Everything looks much too sterile and clean. By comparison, Michael Radford's version (the one released in 1984) nails the look of everything perfectly.

[alltare]

Every high school kid should be required to read or watch "1984".

I actually thought the '56 version (the version with Edmund Obrien) was better. That version's set design is not great, but it's the story that really counts. As another example of cheap sets in a better movie, I would cite the 1982 BBC TV production of "HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy". It's MUCH more enjoyable than the slick 2005 production with the same title.

And speaking of cheap sets, now that a decent quality release of "Science Fiction Theatre" has finally become available, my "holy grail" list contains only one more entry: the 1956 version of "1984". It's always baffled me that a good release of this film can't be found.

By the way, don't fall for the outright lies about the "Remastered" (HAH!) 1984 (1956) DVD being sold on Amazon- it's a crappy transfer of a crappy videotape. Be sure you read the customer comments before ordering. I speak from experience. I think some scenes are missing from that version, too. Amazon slyly avoids saying who produces the M.O.D. disc. I threw my copy away a few years ago- my old bootleg VHS is really of slightly higher quality than the disc.

[Bud Brewster]

Holy mackerel, I saw your name on the post above and thought I slipped into an alternate universe where the Classic Horror Film Board looked remarkably like All Sci-Fi!

Welcome to the board we sometimes refer to as our humble little spaceport bar, where humans and aliens can meet, talk, share ideas, and make sure none of us tries to drive home drunk.

I'm Bud the bartender.

Thanks for the warning about the DVD of 1984. I read the wonderful book in high school (the graduating class of 1967, so long ago that the captain of the football team was Alley Opp . . . ), and I saw the movie on Big Movie Shocker, channel 5's Friday late show in Atlanta in the 1960s.

The next great DVD I'm looking forward to is Captain Midnight. Those highly enjoyable episodes are in worse physical condition than Science Fiction Theatre!

Now belly up to the bar, Altare, and get your complimentary beverage — our signature drink, the Vulcan Mind Melt.


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Here's a Youtube version of the DVD which alltare warned us about, concerning the picture quality. However, the running time is 1:30, the same as the time given at IMDB, so perhaps this isn't the version alltare discussed, because he said that one was missing some scenes.

___________ 1984 - 1956 Version DVD (FULL)


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Sens8]

I remember reading somewhere (though I don't remember just where), that this was filmed with two different endings. Anybody know anything about that?

[Bud Brewster]

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I heard that same thing from Bulldogtrekker when he and I watched downloads of it recently and chatted on Facebook.

I found this on IMDB, which seems to confirm what you and BDT said.
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There are reportedly two endings to this film. The UK version ends with a defiant Winston Smith and Julia being executed by the authorities. The US version is more faithful to Orwell's book and concludes with Winston and Julia being brainwashed into loyal followers of "Big Brother".
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Brent Gair]

I have an observation about 1984...the YEAR; not the movie .

It's ironic that 1984 was chosen as the year to represent a dark, foreboding future. For me, 1984 was the greatest year ever...by far. I was 26 years old, in perfect health and making a bunch of money at a job that was enjoyable and kinda' easy. I had enough money to buy a Rolex Daytona and an old Corvette. Ronald Reagan was president (sorry to be political but I had LOVED Reagan for years). I was keeping company with the hottest, nicest girl ever. I was livin' the dream .

Talking to that old girlfriend last year, we got onto the topic of going back to the past and how most people say they wouldn't go back. I asked if she would like to go back and relive 1984..."Hell, Yes!" she said.

1984: Best Year Ever!

[Bud Brewster]

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Sorry, Brent, but you only think 1984 was a great year because the Thought Police took you to the Ministery of Peace and brainwashed you!

In truth, the job was boring, the car was rusty, and the girl was ugly. But if you had complained about any of this, the government would have put your head into a cage with rats and listened to you scream until you finally saw things "their way".

After all, Big Ronald Was Watching!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[alltare]

I guess I was wrong about deleted scenes in the Amazon DVD — I thought the rat torture had originally been longer and more graphic than what's seen (I believe it was also more graphic in the remake), but if IMDB says 1:30 is the time, then I was wrong because the disc is 1:30:15 in length, just like the Youtube version.

I played the two versions in parallel and here's what I found:

1) It's obvious that these 2 versions have a common source at some point in their copy histories, because sound track hiccups and video glitches are identical, in exactly the same places.

2) The Amazon disc has distortion at the bottom of the screen, like VHS "tearing". It's there from beginning to end and is often very distracting. The image is somewhat sharper and has better contrast than the Youtube version.

3) The Youtube video has almost no bottom-of-the-screen distortion, but the image has softer resolution and slightly worse contrast.

So there's a choice to be made — You can have a slightly sharper picture with slightly better contrast, but with that distortion I mentioned, OR you can have a fuzzier picture with virtually no distortion. To my eye, the Youtube video wins, so don't waste your money on the Amazon product. (I'll add that both versions are pretty darned bad).

[Bud Brewster]

[scotpens]