The Real George Orwell (6/6)

Biographer DJ Taylor profiles Eric Blair for The South Bank Show in 2003.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• George
• Orwell
• documentary
• life
• story
• biography
• Animal
• Farm
• 1984
• Nineteen
• Eighty-Four
• Orwellian

[Oscar301]

This biographer is a ponce. His work adds absolutely nothing to Orwell or the myth. I condemn him to Room 101

[erosmangr74]

This was an awful attempt at a biography; the presenter barely touched on any relevant issues. The only piece of writing that is given any time at all is "1984", and it is certainly not explored. Furthermore, he exhibits no real passion, apart from mentioning in the beginning that Orwell was an important writer. I'm going to watch Christopher Hitchens instead.

[hannahgabi]

disappointing for the South Bank Show, is this a biographer? 'Ooh, look! Footage of Orewell playing rugby! maybe.' 'So this is where he had an accident we don't know much about.' Good focus on your subject there

[FriedEggsWithChips]

@Oscar301 I feel the same way. One of the earlier clips has him focusing on what he believes MIGHT be footage of Orwell. It probably wasn't, and even if it was, is that very important, really? It's even more of a shame because this documentary was made on the centenary of Orwel''s birth, one of the rare occasions on which I imagine a programme on Orwell would ever be made, and this really doesn't tell us anything new.

Enthusiasm for ones subject just isn't enough. Should have got Michael Wood!

[benthejrporter]

One interesting biographical detail not often mentioned is that one of Orwell's teachers at Eton was Aldous Huxley, author of another famous dystopian vision of the future: "Brave New World". I wonder what Huxley and his young charge used to talk about. I'd love to be a fly-on-the-wall during their after-class discussions!

[TheFreshsilver]

NO GOOD...

[oldgrannywheels]

At 1:23 look at the land at the up right portion above the biographers head. Can you see the face of the witch?

[spiderlime]

the most prophetic and important author of the twentieth century is h.g.wells. i include in that opinion his earlier works, that were written at the end of the 19th century.

[carsanookdotcom]

Good

Thanks

Dr John

Bangkok