As early as 1937, George Orwell (1903–1950) was thinking about coming to terms with the totalitarian system of the Soviet Union in his writing. But it wasn't until he observed a ten-year-old boy hitting a draft horse whenever it deviated from the path while walking that he realized that we humans exploit animals just as the rulers exploit the proletariat. His novel “Animal Farm” was finally published in 1945 – a fable about the failure of the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to Stalinism.
In his story, the mistreated farm animals on an English farm rise up against their human owner. Along with “1984,” “Animal Farm” is the English author’s best-known work, in which he exposes state power structures and moral manipulations in a clear and sober manner. “Animal Farm” was finally made into a film in 1954. The first British animated film, directed by John Halas (“Heavy Metal”), was actually co-financed by the CIA to use the film as a propaganda tool against communism during the Cold War. The result was a dark and violent cartoon with talking animals – which is why it was warned that it was completely unsuitable for young children.
All animals are the same? Eber Napoleon (voice in the original: Seth Rogen), who wants to seize power on the farm, sees things a little differently…
70 years later there is another animated film based on Orwell's fable. Andy Serkis, who gained world fame through his motion capture portrayal of Gollum in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and has also been working as a director (“As Long as I Breathe”) since 2017, transports the material into the 21st century. While in his second directorial work, “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,” he used the motion capture process to bring the animals from Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” to life, this time he relies entirely on a computer-animated form – much to the dismay of his fans. What's even more serious, however, is that he now delivers a softened and therefore child-friendly version of “Animal Farm”…
In fact, the farm animals act quite funny and exuberant right from the start. Finally, the word 'Laughter' is written on the van that they are all about to get into. Only when the door that covered the first letter closes does the grisly truth come to light: 'Slaughter' is written there. Farmer Jones (voice: Andy Serkis) has drunk everything, is bankrupt and has sold his animals to the slaughterhouse. Snowball (voice: Laverne Cox), the smartest of all pigs, then declares a revolution and Jones is chased from the farm.
Flat gags instead of biting satire
Now the animals are on their own – but under Snowball's guidance, they manage to manage the farm themselves and set rules for their new community. Eber Napoleon (voice: Seth Rogen) observes Snowball's successes very suspiciously – he has other plans. He raises orphaned puppies in a hiding place. With a guard of attack dogs, he waits for the right time to seize power himself. His coup against Snowball succeeds. Napoleon also changes the rules – in particular the last sentence 'All animals are equal' is supplemented with 'But some are more equal'. From now on, the pigs rule and exploit the other animals in order to live in luxury themselves.
Orwell's novella is an allegory of power, revolution and betrayal. The ideal of equality for all is corrupted by the hunger for power. This is also the case with Serkis, but it is far more harmless and toned down than in the book and the first film adaptation from 1954. Serkis' dilemma: On the one hand, he wants to do justice to the seriousness of the original, but on the other hand, he wants to make a film for the whole family that corresponds to today's viewing habits. As is usual in animated films, there is a large portion of humor involved. But that has nothing to do with Orwell's satirical tone. Serkis relies on slapstick and flat gags including fart jokes. The cute appearance of the characters should also appeal to a younger audience – that was different in the first film.
One voice more prominent than the other
The fact that “Animal Farm” wants to have a mass appeal is also proven by the prominent voice cast in English. In addition to Seth Rogen (“Good Fortune”) as Napoleon and Laverne Cox (“Bad Hair”) as Snowball, the voices include Woody Harrelson (“The Incredibles 3”) as the toiling horse Boxer, Kathleen Turner (“The Estate”) as the loyal donkey Benjamin and Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) as the submissive pig Squealer jokes in his ear.
Perhaps today it may be of secondary importance that there is a real role model for each character, but from a historical perspective it is very revealing. Farmer Jones symbolizes Tsar Nicholas II, who oppressed his people. Snowball is based on the thoughtful revolutionary Trotsky and Napoleon on the brutal dictator Stalin, who had Trotsky murdered in 1940. This is also discussed in the novel, and the first film adaptation from 1954 at least suggests that Snowball is mauled by Napoleon's attack dogs. Serkis, however, finds a kinder exit for the pig.
The animals are all cute and animated in a child-friendly way – but does that really fit with a satirical allegory about totalitarian structures?
Nonetheless, it is commendable that Orwell's story is being retold after more than 70 years. Even if there was a lack of courage to stick to the original, which is certainly also related to the financing, the relevant issues about populism, exploitation and abuse of power do not completely disappear. Parallels to our present can certainly be identified and are certainly intentional. The fact that the novella is now being brought to a new generation gives hope that the book and the old film will also become interesting again because they have a completely different style. Because if you're honest, “Animal Farm” isn't really suitable for a fairytale world à la Disney, but is and remains a bitterly evil analysis of human depths.
Conclusion: Andy Serkis dares to do the balancing act of crossing Orwell's sharp parable with modern entertainment demands. Although this is ambitious, it doesn't do justice to the original.
We saw “Animal Farm” at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival.