Animal Farm

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2:08

Animal Farm

1954

1h 12m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In this animated film based on George Orwell's novel, animals on drunken Mr. Jones' (Maurice Denham) farm, led by prize hog Old Major (also Denham), gather to discuss their abuse. Old Major exhorts the animals to rebel. Boxer the horse, donkey Benjamin, pigs Snowball and Napoleon and the others agree, and when Old Major dies, they turn against Jones. But Napoleon secretly raises a group of puppies to do his bidding, and over time the efficiently run farm falters as Napoleon schemes to take over.

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Delmore Schwartz

The New Republic

Jan 23, 2013

It is a serious pity that one can only praise the film version of George Orwell's Animal Farm as a valuable beginning or experiment, and hardly more than that.

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Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

Jun 12, 2026

3/5

The animation of this film may feel dated, but the original message is intact although the ending is hopeful with a donkey becoming the hero.

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Herman G. Weinberg

Film Culture

Jun 7, 2022

It is a fable, or allegory, in which human actions are presented in the guise of animal actions. But how can this convince any intelligent person who knows that animals don't act that way? Aesop was far cleverer.

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Tracey Petherick

Common Sense Media

Sep 11, 2020

4/5

Intense, compelling adaptation of Orwell's classic story.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Nov 7, 2019

This is the first feature-length animated cartoon to tackle an adult theme instead of the usual kindergarten slapstick. A British effort, it sometimes fails to compete with Hollywood's best technical standards.

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Virginia Graham

The Spectator

Jun 19, 2018

Even so, when only one figure in a crowd is animated the impression given is that of laziness or lack of funds rather than design.

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MariofanAlex445 T

@RT47678067 Jul 7, 2026

A great animated feature based on George Orwell’s original novel. A textbook propaganda film that gets its point across very clearly. 3/5 stars.

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Noel L

@RT15930389 May 29, 2026

What a very interesting take on revolution

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Simp S

@Simpson143 May 29, 2026

So much better than the newer version. Has it's faults but tells the story amazingly with lovely animation

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Jay W

@RT52162311 May 11, 2026

It is interesting how something can be both such an obvious product of its time, and a timeless classic. The George Orwell classic is an excellent allegory that reflects the Russian Revolution but can also be applied to teach many important themes about power, corruption and government today. This CIA produced animated adaptation could be seen as Cold War propaganda. Its animation and voice acting are certainly limited. But it is faithful enough to the original and maintains that timeless quality.

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Fabrizio A

@RT47934443 May 5, 2026

Although the ending leans more towards a pro-American perspective—given that the CIA funded the film's production—this adaptation remains the most faithful to Orwell's political satire. The film successfully retains the book's dark tone and effectively conveys the core message against authoritarianism. The animation is well-executed, although it may not be as polished as in the classic Disney films.

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Dennis H.

@jared May 3, 2026

Theaters should play this instead of the 2026 version

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Joy Batchelor

Director

John Halas

Director

Maurice Denham

All Animals

Gordon Heath

Narrator

Roy Turk

Cinematographer

W. Traylor

Cinematographer

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Synopsis

In this animated film based on George Orwell's novel, animals on drunken Mr. Jones' (Maurice Denham) farm, led by prize hog Old Major (also Denham), gather to discuss their abuse. Old Major exhorts the animals to rebel. Boxer the horse, donkey Benjamin, pigs Snowball and Napoleon and the others agree, and when Old Major dies, they turn against Jones. But Napoleon secretly raises a group of puppies to do his bidding, and over time the efficiently run farm falters as Napoleon schemes to take over.

Director: Joy Batchelor, John Halas
Producer: John Halas, Joy Batchelor
Screenwriter: Lothar Wolff, Philip Stapp, George Orwell, Borden Mace, John Halas, Joseph Bryan, Joy Batchelor
Distributor: BBC Enterprises Limited [gb], Universal Pictures, Louis de Rochemont Associates, Associate British-Pathe Ltd. [gb], Polygram, Blue Dolphin Film Distribution Ltd. [gb]
Production Co: Halas and Batchelor Cartoon Films [gb]
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 29, 1954, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2011
Runtime: 1h 12m
Sound Mix: Mono

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