Britain’s first animated feature was a 1954 adaptation of George Orwell’s classic political allegory, Animal Farm. Fed up with cruel Farmer Jones, a group of revolutionary animals take over control of Manor Farm and set out to create a utopian society. But soon, conflict and corruption begin to brew. 

Directed and produced by award-winning animation legends John Halas & Joy Batchelor, the film was sold to the public as a distinctly British production. But unbeknownst to the film’s crew, Animal Farm was covertly part-funded by the CIA, a fact which only came to light four decades after the film’s release and has defined much of its legacy since. Forming part of the CIA’s anti-Soviet propaganda, the ending of the film was famously changed from Orwell’s pessimistic original to a more upbeat, revolutionary one, a choice which proved controversial with critics. This landmark piece of British cinema history is presented here newly restored in 4K by the BFI.