Having seen this one years ago on VHS, I decided to give it another try after discussion with Jaeger and Captain Logan last Saturday night. Watching it again now, original aspect ratio and all, my memory of it is confirmed: It is a pale adaptation of George Orwell's great novel.

It's easy for someone who has read a book upon which a movie is based to say, "The movie just wasn't as good. It didn't live up what I imagined in the novel." So I'm going to try to be a little bit more specific in my criticism.

It does capture the tone of drab bleakness of life under the party. In fact, as far as I could see, that is all that was captured. Any other emotions that might exist get lost in the dull bleakness.

The acting is uniformly subdued. I can only assume that since the production features a cast of known and talented performers, this was a directorial decision. John Hurt almost never cracks a smile, and when he does, it doesn't feel joyful.

This is nothing to thematically distinguish the first, second, and third acts. When I read the book, I imagined the first act as being somewhat similar to the way this movie portays it -- a harsh, dull exposition of life under the party. But the second act, to me, had life and purpose as the secret love affair between Winston and Julia flourished. The third act, in the Ministry of Love, should have not only been stark and cold, but dark and fearful, as the death of Winston's spirit loomed ever closer.

So, if I were the director, here's what I would have done differently:

I would have asked John Hurt and Suzanna Hamilton to show a little joy and wonder during those scenes when they found themselves out from under the thumb of Big Brother. I would have warmed up the lighting and set colors in the Rented Room and associated scenes, as a way to counterpoint the grey bleakness of the Party. I would have done the Ministry of Love torture chamber in a set with no daylight streaming in through any windows, because there would be done; only artifical light, and sparse at that. Also, I would have told Richard Burton to put a little more conviction into his portayal of O'Brien.

Oh, and regarding graphic nudity/sex: Didn't bother me; it was well within my recollection of the book's descriptions. However, it didn't do much for me either, because I didn't feel any of the emotions behind it from the actors. Just slabs of raw human fleshmeat being flung around, documentary style. But then again, maybe that's what the director wanted us to feel. I would have made it more sensual.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

P.S. Just so I can say one positive thing. I did like the way they composed many of the shots to include Big Brother's imposing face somewhere in the frame. That did work well.