Animal Farm Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Farm animals start a communist revolution, but the pigs get too greedy and become the very thing they swore to destroy… except with more mud and less healthcare.

🍿 Animal Farm: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Rebellion

Manor Farm, under the neglectful rule of Mr. Jones, faces hardship. Old Major, a respected boar, inspires the animals with a vision of a world free from human tyranny, teaching them the song ‘Beasts of England.’ However, he soon passes away. The animals, fueled by Major’s dream, stage a successful revolt when Jones fails to feed them.

Animal Farm is Born

The animals rename Manor Farm to ‘Animal Farm’ and establish seven commandments, the core of which is ‘All animals are equal.’ They work together, led by the pigs Snowball and Napoleon, to create a prosperous community. Snowball focuses on education and development, while Napoleon secretly trains a pack of puppies.

The Rise of Napoleon

Conflict arises between Snowball and Napoleon regarding the construction of a windmill. Napoleon uses his trained dogs to chase Snowball off the farm, seizing control. He abolishes meetings and establishes a committee of pigs to rule, manipulating the other animals through the pig Squealer.

Descent into Tyranny

Under Napoleon’s rule, conditions worsen. The pigs start altering the commandments to suit their needs, enjoying privileges while the other animals toil relentlessly. ‘No animal shall sleep in a bed’ becomes ‘No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets,’ and ‘No animal shall drink alcohol’ becomes ‘No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.’

Boxer’s Fate

The loyal workhorse Boxer, a symbol of the working class, remains dedicated to Napoleon and the farm. However, he is eventually overworked and collapses. Napoleon deceitfully sends Boxer to the knacker (glue factory), despite claiming he’s being sent to a veterinarian, further solidifying his oppressive rule.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Napoleon (Maurice Denham): A Berkshire boar who becomes the tyrannical leader of Animal Farm, mirroring Joseph Stalin.
• Snowball (Maurice Denham): An idealistic pig who initially leads Animal Farm but is later exiled by Napoleon, representing Leon Trotsky.
• Old Major (Maurice Denham): A wise old pig whose vision of a farm free from human tyranny inspires the Animal Farm revolution, symbolizing Karl Marx.
• Boxer (Maurice Denham): A loyal and hardworking horse who blindly trusts the pigs and represents the exploited working class.
• Squealer (Maurice Denham): A manipulative pig who acts as Napoleon’s propagandist, distorting the truth to maintain the pigs’ power.
• Benjamin (Maurice Denham): A cynical and intelligent donkey who understands the pigs’ deception but remains largely passive.
• Mr. Jones (Maurice Denham): The original owner of Manor Farm, a drunken and neglectful farmer who is overthrown by the animals.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Old Major: “All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.” – Spoken during Old Major’s speech, outlining the principles of Animalism and setting the stage for the revolution.
• Snowball: “No animal shall drink alcohol. No animal shall sleep in a bed. Four legs good, two legs bad.” – Snowball reads the laws of Animal Farm after the revolt, establishing the initial principles of equality.
• Squealer: “Wings count as legs.” – Squealer manipulates the rules of Animal Farm to benefit the pigs and maintain control.
• Benjamin: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” – This quote summarizes the corruption of the revolution, as the pigs establish their dominance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £75,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Animal Farm Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Animal Farm’ in middle school, and it completely blew my mind. The idea that animals could represent real-world political figures was something I never considered before. The scene where Boxer is taken away is still one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen in a movie. It really makes you think about how power corrupts and how easily people can be manipulated. Even now, it stays with me. Such an impacting film.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic literature”
  • “Those interested in political allegories”
  • “Viewers who appreciate thought-provoking animated films”
  • “Students studying George Orwell or the Russian Revolution”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Oppression”
  • “Death”
  • “Political themes”
  • “Mature subject matter”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “A surprisingly potent adaptation of Orwell’s classic. The animation is dated, but the story’s relevance remains chillingly intact, making it a must-see for understanding the dangers of unchecked power.
• New York Times: “While the animation style may seem quaint by today’s standards, ‘Animal Farm’ serves as a stark reminder of the allure and corruption of revolutionary ideals. It’s a thought-provoking piece that resonates even now.
• Variety: “A solid adaptation that captures the essence of Orwell’s novel. The animation might not be cutting edge, but the story’s political commentary hits hard, making it a valuable film for discussions about power and society.

Audience Reactions

Boxer’s unwavering loyalty and tragic fate resonated deeply with viewers, sparking discussions about the exploitation of the working class.: The allegorical storytelling made it a memorable and thought-provoking experience for audiences of all ages.

The pigs’ manipulation of language and rewriting of history was seen as a powerful commentary on propaganda and control.: Most people agree that, while dark, the film provides a valuable lesson about the importance of critical thinking.

Overall Consensus: Despite its age, ‘Animal Farm’ remains a powerful and relevant cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of vigilance against corruption. The film is considered a classic of animated cinema, even with a controversial ending.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was partly funded by the CIA as Cold War propaganda.”
• “Maurice Denham provided all the voices for the animals in the film.”
• “The ending of the film differs significantly from the book, providing a more optimistic conclusion, which was a condition of the CIA funding.”

🖥️ How to Watch Animal Farm?

As a classic film, Animal Farm (1954) is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon. Unfortunately, due to its age, it is not readily available on major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video. Check your preferred digital retailer for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Animal Farm, you might like these similar films:

• 1984 (1984): Based on another famous dystopian novel by George Orwell, exploring themes of totalitarianism and government control.
• Watership Down (1978): Animated film featuring animals as allegorical characters, dealing with themes of survival, freedom, and leadership in a dark and mature story.
• Chicken Run (2000): Animals yearning for freedom from a farm and planning a revolt, though with a lighter, more comedic tone.
• The Plague Dogs (1982): Animated movie exploring the dark themes of animal cruelty, human exploitation, and societal indifference.

🛒 Animal Farm Related Products

• Animal Farm (Signet Classics): The original novel by George Orwell. The book delves into themes of totalitarianism, social inequality, and the corruption of revolutionary ideals.
• Animal Farm (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Digitally restored version of the film with bonus content, providing a high-quality viewing experience and deeper insights into the making of the movie.
• Animal Farm T-Shirt ‘All Animals Are Equal’: High-quality t-shirt featuring the iconic quote from the movie. Available in various sizes and colors.
• Animal Farm: A Graphic Novel: A visually engaging adaptation of the classic story, bringing the characters and events to life in a new and accessible format. Perfect for younger audiences or those new to the story.

🎧 Soundtrack

Animal Farm features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Snowball Banished” – performed by Leopold Stokowski
• “Beasts of England” – performed by Maurice Denham (as the animals)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Steve Reviews: Animal Farm

Ever wondered about the hidden agendas behind ‘kids’ movies? Steve Reviews dives deep into Animal Farm, revealing its surprising connection to the CIA and the dark themes it explores. It’s a wild ride!

Animal Farm | Summary & Analysis | George Orwell

Need a quick refresher on Animal Farm? This Course Hero summary breaks down the entire novel in just a few minutes, making it super easy to grasp the key themes and story. Seriously useful if you’re trying to get your head around the movie’s message!

Animal Farm – Thug Notes Summary and Analysis

Want to understand Animal Farm without falling asleep? Thug Notes delivers a hilarious and insightful breakdown of Orwell’s classic, making it surprisingly easy to grasp the deeper meaning. Trust me, you’ll actually enjoy this!

Animal Farm | Characters | George Orwell

Confused about who’s who in Animal Farm? This video from Course Hero quickly breaks down the key characters and what they represent, helping you understand the story’s deeper meaning. You will find the characters more relatable after this!

✨ Rate