Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

aka 1984

Dir. Michael Radford's adaptation of George Orwell's groundbreaking novel of the same name is as much an exploration of state control as it is of one man's struggle to make sense of his role within the totalitarian regime, a leadership that strives to destroy individualism, even going so far as to remove from the language the means to express distrust in the ruling party.
Much of the colour is drained from it, effectively communicating the dreariness of protagonist Winston Smith's existence; the carefully placed scenes of full colour add a contrast that runs deeper than just aesthetics.
The principals (John Hurt, Suzanna Hamilton, Richard Burton) are excellent, keeping what's necessary firmly understated but relevant at all times.

4 dictionary revisions out of 5

Brimstone and Treacle (1982)

A second filmed version of Dennis Potter’s controversial TV Play that was made six years after the Play for Today (1976) version but released before it.
Sting plays the stranger and provides much of the music. I’d not have thought his musical style well-suited to the story but it’s genuinely complementary at times. His methods for ingratiating himself to the father (again played by Denholm Elliott) aren't particularly believable, but it was important to show the transparent nature of the ruse and the casual way he went about it. He’s a little like Kubrick’s version of Alex DeLarge.
It might look like a kitchen sink drama on the surface, but the dark, sinister turns in the story are shown without reservation; it’s uncomfortable viewing.

3½ fainting feigns out of 5