Animal Farm: Film or Novel Essay

The film adaptation of Animal Farm by George Orwell significantly contrasts the novella. The differences provide the reader/viewer two different perspectives on what the story is about and what the author is trying to convey. The setting, techniques used and context are contrasting points between the film and the novella. The movie does not accurately portray Orwells intentions since some details are changed or missing.

Changed settings create an opportunity for viewers to interpret the film differently. For example, the windmill in the movie is built far from the farm on a knoll. Everyday, the animals had to travel back and forth, no matter what the weather was like. This fact makes the viewer think that the pigs are even crueler; the pigs make the animals carry the heavy stones for construction farther than mentioned in the novella. In Animal Farm, the quarry where the stones are retrieved is found close to the construction site; this enables the animals to carry the stones up the quarry and to the construction site. Also, the corner of the field where the retired animals rest is never shown. This too makes the viewer think the pigs are even more pitiless; if there was more of the field, more can be grown and the pigs would earn more money for themselves. The animals would have to work until their death. In the novella, this land is laid aside for the senior animals, but later is used for growth of barley for beer. As a result, viewers cannot grasp a similar concept given by the novella.

Secondly, techniques used in the movie will change the meaning of the plot. In the movie, only the pigs can speak in English. The other animals communicate in their own ways; the horses neigh, the dogs bark, and the cows moo. This technique makes the pigs seem superior to the other animals. In the book, the pigs are selected to be leaders because of their superior intelligence. Their job was to plan the future of the farm, but were never meant to rule it. Also, the sound effects used in the movie change the viewers feelings about the film. A serious adult novel has been adapted into something that could have come out of a cartoon. The music is short and catchy and noise like the creaking of stairs and the firing of a gun is nothing similar to the real noise. The original novella deals with important notions such as communism and dictatorship. Ultimately, techniques used will alter the concepts in the novella.

Lastly, a different context contrasts the novellas plot, creating a different perception in the viewers mind. Firstly, some characters are altered or even removed in the film. For example, Clover, one of the main characters is neglected. She is Boxers closest companion and takes care of him when injured. Instead, this role is taken over by Benjamin, the donkey. In the novella, Benjamin is not sociable or hardworking, but is portrayed quite the opposite in the movie. Although he is an admirer of Boxer, he only eats with him on a grassy knoll in the novel. In the movie, Benjamin works hard with the other animals and takes care of Boxer when he is injured. Secondly, the plot is changed and does not follow the course of the novella. In the film, Old Major dies during the meeting suddenly, after the singing of Beasts of England, which has no lyrics. This song was the significant during the Rebellion and drove determination, courage, and . The Battle of the Cowshed then happens right after the revolution and a dog is killed instead of the sheep. Also, the pigs did not teach math to the other animals (just English), the animals already have the building materials for the windmill and Mr. Whymper sells food to the pigs instead of selling goods for them. Finally, the different context will cause confusion, rendering the film less enjoyable for those who have read the book.

George Orwells concepts are conveyed to the reader in Animal Farm, but not correctly given to the viewer as details are changed or missing. Aspects in the context are either modified or taken out. The setting is changed so the viewer is provided with different perceptions of the characters. The techniques the director uses remove much of the meaning of the original plot that was written by George Orwell. Film adaptations of novels are usually incorrect in conceptions given to the viewer in comparison with the original plot.