1984 (M) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

1984 (M, 1984) Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth

In a totalitarian superstate, citizen Winston Smith (John Hurt) works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to match whatever the Party currently dictates. Living under constant surveillance through telescreens in every room, Winston secretly begins a forbidden diary and dreams of rebellion. When he meets Julia (Suzanna Hamilton), a young woman who similarly despises the Party, they embark on a clandestine love affair, believing they've found kindred spirits in a world designed to crush individuality and emotion. But their secret meetings in a rented room above an antique shop become their undoing when they're approached by O'Brien (Richard Burton), an Inner Party member who seems to offer them membership in an underground resistance. What follows is a descent into nightmare as Winston discovers that resistance is impossible, individuality is futile, and the Party's true purpose is not governance but the systematic destruction of the human will itself.

Director Michael Radford brings George Orwell's dystopian novel to bleak life in this 1984 film starring John Hurt in one of cinema's most devastating performances. Hurt's Winston is hollow-eyed and exhausted, a man whose spirit is already broken before the Party crushes what remains. Suzanna Hamilton brings desperate hope and sensuality to Julia, making her ultimate betrayal of Winston deeply tragic. Richard Burton, in his final film role, delivers a chilling performance as O'Brien—a man who represents the Party's absolute power and infinite cruelty. Sven Nykvist's bleak cinematography renders London as a gray, decaying wasteland where joy is forbidden and individuality is treason. The film's production design emphasizes surveillance, control, and dehumanization. Eurythmics' haunting score underscores the film's totalitarian nightmare. Radford's adaptation captures Orwell's pessimism about power's corrupting nature and the individual's helplessness against institutional control—a vision that remains disturbingly relevant.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Sunday, July 12th at 6:30PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: M (The content is moderate in impact)