Animal Farm: Novel vs. Film
Uploaded by masone4718 on Nov 28, 2004
Like all books made into movies, there are many differences. The book Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is no different. One of the many reasons is the characters. Clover and Mr. Whymper were not mentioned in the movie. Mollie was barely seen in the movie, only for a few scenes in the beginning. Jessie was the protagonist in the movie, and was always around. Old Major died peacefully a few days after he gave his speech, yet in the movie Jones shot Old Major the night he gave his speech. Another difference is when Squealer convinced the animals that the pigs needed to use the milk and apples in their food. Another difference was that Jones and Mrs. Pilkington had relations one night. This was not mentioned in the novel. Another thing not mentioned in the movie was the bank note forgeries from the lumber bought by Frederick. The film did not show the battle in which Boxer split his hoof, or when Napoleon stole Jones’ camera equipment and broadcast news in the farmhouse. Also, the movie did not show when the animals all saw Squealer walking on two legs. The film had another extra part in which Jessie took Benjamin to escape and hide on the edge of the farm. Another part missing from the movie was when Napoleon had the animals confess to crimes, and then ordering his ‘secret police’ to murder them in front of the entire farm. In the novel, the Ten Commandments had been completely removed and replaced with:
All Animals Are Equal
But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others
Yet in the film this had just been added to the end of the commandments. A final difference was that the novel ended with Clover and the animals not being able to tell the difference between the pigs and the humans, and that Napoleon and Mr. Pilkington had both played an ace of spades, representing the cold war. But the movie ended with Jessie leaving her hiding spot, and going back to the farm and seeing the new owners arrive.
As you can see, there are many differences in the book Animal Farm and the movie Animal Farm. I feel that the book had a more historical point, and the movie was just for entertainment.