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| '1984', the movie made in the year 1984, stays fascinatingly loyal to George Orwell�s celebrated novel. John Hurt plays mainman Winston, who - in a futuristic, Government-worshipped state of conformity - is one man who�s willing to risk life and love to stand against the masses and remain an individual. This is the story that inspired �Big Brother� (and also David Bowie to produce his 1974 �Diamond Dogs� masterpiece LP, which is one of my all-time faves), as the film plays parallel to the book almost scene-by-scene. Yet the impact of the movie is disappointing, and if you�ve never read the book it�ll be confusing. When I read the book I didn�t �get� the ending, not realising Winston ultimately gives in - to follow the crowd like sheep - until I was told. It�s enduringly bizarre, reminding of Bowie-starrer �Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence,� with stark sex scenes reminiscent of those great ones that rocked �The Man Who Fell To Earth.� A well-realised if hard-going adaptation then� (Steve Rudd) | ||