The Cartoon Version of Animal Farm

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How successful as an adaptation of the novel is the cartoon version of

Animal Farm

"A film for all the family. It educates and entertains with a story

that is forever timeless."

This was how the animated version of 'Animal Farm' was described. The

eighty-seven page novel written by George Orwell aimed at teenagers

and adults has recently been converted into an hour and ten minute

long film which is suitable and supposedly appealing to young

children. This meant having to cut down and altar some of the

storylines and characters within the novel to suit this age range but

at the same time, trying not to lose the basic structure of the novel

and the messages given out by George Orwell throughout the book.

After viewing the film, we all have our individual opinions on whether

this has been done effectively and whether the purpose of the novel

was fulfilled.

I felt that on a whole, the cartoon version of 'Animal Farm' did not

live up to the standards of the novel, however, you find that this is

the case with most films that have been converted from books. Although

the basic storyline of the novel was suitable for children, the

meaning behind the novel was beyond the understanding of this age

range. I feel that the producers took on a very hard task to try and

convert this high standard novel into a film for all ages.

The purpose of the novel was clear; the critism of Russian communism

and corruption that power can cause. I did not feel however, that this

came across in the film in any way. The film was clearly aimed at

children, as the simplicity of the converted storyline was obvious.

Although they kept to the basic structure of the novel, I felt that

they did not successfully altar the storyline to make it easily

understandable by children as most of the story was described by the

use of a narrator or by visual techniques. The fact that most of the

animals did not speak, didn't help to convey the storyline in the

slightest. I think that if there had been no use of narrator, young

children would have easily become confused.

In some parts, the film went too surreal for the enjoyment of most

teenagers and adults. Even if they were trying to make the film

humorous, which they did in a lot of places by adding extra clips here

and there, it soon turned very unrealistic and unbelievable, which is

all right for young children but not for the older generation. Music

is used throughout the film to convey the storyline.

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