Why the new Animal Farm movie falls short

George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm, published just over 80 years ago, has been adapted into an animated film starring a bevy of Hollywood stars. Perhaps not surprisingly, it falls short of the novel and the points Orwell was trying to make. As the Rotten Tomatoes consensus notes, “All Animal Farm adaptations are equal, but some Animal Farm adaptations are more watchable than others.” We talk about it with John Rodden.Further ReadingSome Artists Are More Equal than Others: Updating Orwell and Downgrading ArtAnimal Farm at 80Becoming George Orwell: Life and Letters, Legend and LegacyGuest InfoJohn Rodden has taught at the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin. His books include The Cambridge Introduction to George Orwell, The Politics of Literary Reputation: The Making and Claiming of “St. George” Orwell, and Becoming George Orwell. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com