Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- cautionary
- sardonic
- political cinema night
- classic animation viewing
What critics said
Critics generally recognize the adaptation's forceful political allegory and effective animation, while finding it somewhat compressed and less nuanced than Orwell's novel.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The farm's animals embody revolutionary classes, leaders, and institutions associated with Stalinist politics.
The animals overthrow human rule but gradually see their egalitarian principles appropriated by a privileged ruling group.
The farm's leadership manipulates revolutionary ideals and equality language to normalize unequal power.
Disney-esque animal animation and a short feature format conceal, then deliver, a severe satire of Stalinism.
Films like Animal Farm, and why
Waltz with Bashir
political allegory, revolutionary upheaval, and oppressive governance presented through animation
The King and the Mockingbird
animated political satire with a darkly comic critique of ideology and power
The Trial of the Chicago 7
anti-authoritarian political allegory centered on corruption, propaganda, and unequal social power
Movie Details
- Directors
- Joy Batchelor, John Halas
- Release Date
- 1954-12-28
- Runtime
- 73 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (578)
Cast
- Gordon Heath
- Maurice Denham
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Animal Farm about?
- A deceptively gentle animal fable becomes a bleak animated indictment of revolution corrupted into authoritarian rule.
- What is Animal Farm like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Animal Farm as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Animal Farm violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Animal Farm as moderate.
- What did critics think of Animal Farm?
- Critics generally recognize the adaptation's forceful political allegory and effective animation, while finding it somewhat compressed and less nuanced than Orwell's novel.
- Which films are like Animal Farm?
- Films with a similar feel include Waltz with Bashir, The King and the Mockingbird, and The Trial of the Chicago 7.
- How long is Animal Farm?
- Animal Farm runs 73 minutes.
- Where can I watch Animal Farm?
- In United States, Animal Farm streams on Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Artiflix.
