Synopsis for
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) More at IMDbPro »

In a dystopian England of the year 1984 AD, Winston Smith (John Hurt) is just another lowly Party official in the Ministry of Propaganda. His task, like many in his office, is to "erase" anyone who has fallen afoul of the government from the official histories. Automaton-like, he goes through his daily routine, under constant surveillance from the "telescreens" (two-way TV monitors) and his fellow citizens.

He eventually meets Julia (Suzanna Hamilton), a pretty young Party member who ultimately arranges to have an affair with him. This is all new for the beaten-down Smith, and he starts to get ideas. Unfortunately, both the affair and free thought are strictly forbidden. Despite taking precautions, the pair are eventually picked up by the Security forces of the Ministry of Love.

Winston is given a lecture in the nature of things by O'Brien (Richard Burton), a senior Party member who lives a lifestyle the lower classes cannot dream of. He is told in no uncertain terms that the State (characterized by the slogan "Big Brother is Watching You", the ever-present Telescreens, and black helicopters) cannot be defeated and resistance is futile. He is then taken to the Ministry of Love, where he is severely beaten and starved.

Eventually, Winston is hauled to Room 101, where prisoners are exposed to their deepest fears. A horrible rat cage is placed on his head, and the guards threaten to allow the rats to gnaw his face off. The pitiful man cracks, blames it all on his lover, Julia, and begs for her to be punished instead. Having broken him, O'Brien releases Winston to sit at a cafe watching propaganda on TV until (presumably) it is time to be executed for treason. The last thing he sees is his own forced confession as an emotionless Julia admits she turned on him as well.