W12, #4: Going Back in Time

Speaking of movie versions of 1984 (see W10, #3), I'm curious what you think of the way Hollywood advertised the original film version of the novel back in the year 1956.

Certainly an interesting visual way to attract people to watch the film.

Challenge:  In 5+ sentences, analyze this film poster. 

Does it work? 

Does it surprise you? 

Why do you think this is the way they tried to advertise the film back in 1956, only 7 years after the novel was first published?

Comments

[Student #1]

The poster does not work in some aspects because it seems to show ONLY a romantic love story. The book is not only about love and romance but also about the totalitarian government, propaganda, etc. Maybe the words crime and terrifying would fit. Crime could fit because to desire something even sex or romance can be a crime as it makes one think. The terrifying world fits also because their future will still most likely be controlled by the government. Also what does seem similar to the book is the fact that at every moment even private moments are being watched by the government. The advertisings were probably created like that to attract large crowds of people making the movie seem like a love story and everyone loves a good love story right?

[Student #2]

It definitely does a good job of drawing attention to the outrageous and ridiculous aspects of society after Big Brother. However, its provocative aspects delve only slightly into the intellectual realm. It does inspires curiosity; who wouldn't want to figure out why..err.."ecstasy" would be illegal in the future, especially with the menacing, shadowy cybernetic-looking figure with "Anti-Sex" on his sleeve. As an advertisement, I think it works well. However, the Apple advert is an extremely well done summary of the novel, while this poster leaves you wondering why such a thing would be possible, which is probably intended given the different motives of each advertiser. The quick development of the film could be an attempt to enhance the impact of the possiblity of 1984 actually happening near the predicted date. The figure monitoring Winston and Julia has a clothing scheme portraying surveillance and opression, useful for conveying their message.

[Student #3]

In many ways this film version cover does work really well with the novel, such as the surveillance that captures even the most private moments in your life. But what I think would be even more beneficial to the Hollywood advertisers would be to demonstrate the lives of the people who had to deal with this horrifying world. By depicting the faces of the ruined people would show that it is tremendously hard to survive in a world like this, with temptations surrounding you. Also, the cover resembles one that you would assume to be a love story, rather than- I guess more of an action/mystery film. The question shown at the top of the cover, “Will ecstasy be a crime in the terrifying world of the future?” the answer is obvious, yes. The police’s intriguing, yet, dissatisfying expression only points to the punishments that would take place.

[Student #4]

In my opinion the movie poster does a pretty good job of the strict rules of the society and what is actually goin one, with the telescreens and such. On the other hand I think that the poster showing the people loving one another is a little much. If I had to design the poster I would have put Winston writing or Winston thinking and instead of a Anti-Sex League officer watching them, it should have been either Big Brother, or if it showed him thinking then the thought police. If that is the biggest crime in the society then it should be emphasized the most.
I liked the word "terrifying" with the word "future." It seems to fit very well with the book and I am sure with the movie as well.

[Student #5]

This only works if, like Student #1 said, it was to be a love story. But the book wasn't originally meant to be just about love. The story is about rebellion and surviving in a controlling atmosphere where love among other things is a crime and is risky. I think that the poster doesn't really show much of what the story is about politically. But in terms of what America would want to see, it would work. But I think once people would see it after given the impression that it's a love story, they might be a bit disappointed to have seen a story about crime and punishment over a romance chick flick type that they were hoping for (assuming from the poster that's what they were hoping for). But it doesnt surprise me that this is the way it was advertised. I actually expected to see something to this effect, because obviously we portray things this way.

[Student #6]

People love romance movies as well as action/crime movies. The cover really makes you wonder what happens and it really catchy. This cover shows that there is some kind of romance going on in the movie and that someone is watching. The words “…in the terrifying world of the future?” really reveals that the lives these people have was terrifying and how they were always watched. Once people see the movie they will see the cover really portrays what the whole movie is about.

[Student #7]

In my opinion this poster does not work even though it is catchy to the eye. This poster makes 1984 seem like movie that only has to do with romance. Romance in 1984 is a major factor in some parts I just don't think that the cover should only have that on it like it's the big picture. It should have more revolutionary type things on it and a picture of Big Brother.

[Student #8]

The poster in a way works and in another way doesn't. It points out how obviously crazy the plot is, but in a slightly over exaggerated way. It creeps me out a little due to the fact that the anti-sex league man is just watching the affair. With this in mind the affair wasn't the only thing that the novel had to do with, it was only one part. The quickness of the advertisement could be an attempt at gaining more people's interest, mainly of those who don't read unless it's absolutely necessary. (Shakes head. Yeah, I'm not one of those people.) As sad as it is, most people will go see a movie without even knowing that it was originally a novel to begin with.

[Student #9]

I feel the poster does what it is supposed to do, get someones attention. As for the representation of 1984 it shows how telescreens work and thought police watch people. The poster makes you think it is a romance and criminal action thriller. Which I think is only part of Goldstein's book. But there is something more than that in the book.

[Student #10]

I think that this poster captures only part of what is going on in 1984. It has a picture of the “Anti-sex League” which is part of the story. Also, it has a man spying on the people of the parties. The top of the poster you see “Will ecstasy be a crime.” This is one of the main ideas of this story, making this an appropriate thing to have on the poster. But, what is not completely correct about this poster is the romance image. This story is about romance, but it is mainly mysterious and has a lot of action. From this picture, you would mainly think it was just a romance, but really it’s much more.

[Student #11]

This poster works in a sense that at that time it would make people want to see the movie, but in relation to the whole story it does not exactly work. It doesnt surprise me that at this time they would highlight certain aspects of the book such as romance and a simple idea of the future that would catch anyones attention. Not only would the idea of romance catch a viewers eye at this time, but the idea of a forbidden romance alone is enough for someone to buy a ticket. Advertising the film in a manner such as this uses these aspects to get one feeling out of people who are thinking of seeing it and that is excitement. In the 50's films about the future and forbidden love were definitley among the more popular and by showing those aspects of the novel people are sure to buy a ticket.

[Student #12]

This poster works in some ways but there are many reasons why it doesn't work. The poster makes the book seem like it is about a romance that is forbidden and not about a totalitarian government. The anti sex league patch on the man's arm is very interesting and makes you want to know what that is about. I thought it was clever that they had a Anti Sex League member watching Winston and Julia kiss. The poster should have been a little darker and they should have added things that better portrayed the book.

[Student #13]

The first thing that comes to my attention is how the whole poster is directed towards how “love and sex” will become illegal in the future. Also how the Thought Policeman has “anti sex league” on his sleeve implying that his whole job is to be against sex rather than thoughts of anything. Since this poster was produced in the 50's it was still a long time until 1984 came around, so I see why they put a computer and a airplane and gave the Thought Policeman a futuristic headset to intrigue people about what new inventions they had predicted and what cool new technology the film would show. In my opinion I don’t like the poster because I think they tried to capitalize on it being a love story, which is only a small part of it. Although I do like how they put a futuristic look to the poster because the technology in 1984 would have been very science fiction to the people of the 50's.

[Student #14]

Although the poster depicts the details of Oceanic society such as blue jumpsuits, telescreens, and anti sex advertisements, the attentions seems to be centralized around a love story rather than the big brother or communist societies. Being so closely printed to the publication date as well as being just three years after the death of Big brother(Stalin), the poster is actually a revolutionary. What surprises me about this depiction was the sense of emotion that i felt form this poster, in the novel there was no facial expression or feeling, just a monitored heart beat. The poster does a very good job of analyzing the abilities of a telescreen to both transmit and receive information. The man monitoring the "love" is apparently receiving information, and while he is showing virtually no emotion the couple certainly is. I also like the fact that the man with an anti-sex banner strapped upon his arm is rather intently watching a seemingly prole example of appeasement. While the, poster may have focused on a love story, by reading between the lines you are able to pick up on subtle details that connect Orwell's novel to the 1956 poster.