Nineteen Eighty-Four

Last Sunday before the play, we gave a warning

suggesting, perhaps, that you might not wish

some members of your family circle to watch this piece.

So much has happened since then, so much has been written

and so much said, there's little more I need add.

We have heard words like "disgusting" and "immoral" used.

Well, the play is none of these things, but it is grim, frightening

and at times, shocking.

Shocking in the sense that we are all shocked

when we are brought face to face with a picture

of man's inhumanity to man

or worse, his inhumanity to the spirit of man.

Now, tonight, I'm thinking particularly of the new viewers

in Aberdeen whom I left early yesterday morning.

We had planned that, on Tuesday, we should all have had the light relief

of the witty, charming comedy

about Aberdeen, rehearsed and played from Aberdeen

set in the old university by the cathedral.

That couldn't be, and so tonight, you in Aberdeen

are seeing your first television play, and it's Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Even for some of you, it may be the first play you've ever seen.

Well, will you please use your judgements

as to whether some of those sitting at home with you

should or should not see this piece.

There's only one other thing I want to add, and that is

as you sit there watching it

and as the last frightening pictures fade on the screen

do remember this.

To me, the most alarming thing in the play

is the fact that it has no hope.

And as the mortally ill author, George Orwell

preciously brought his one script south from Glasgow to London

he couldn't find it within him to give hope to the play.

But I'm sure that he would wish us tonight, and I think this is important

as we watch this piece and watch the end of it

find from our own resources, from our own hearts

and our own souls and minds

that hope and belief in ourselves, in mankind

that is not there in the play.

Ripped, corrected & synched by Fingersmaster. Enjoy!

This is one man's alarmed vision of the future

a future which he felt might, with such dangerous ease

be brought about.

Atomic war

famine, revolution

The collapse of a civilisation...

and then, in its place, the formation of a new way of existence.

This, in 1984, is London

chief city of Airstrip One

a province of the state of Oceania.

KZ-6090 Smith W.

Face the telescreen.

You have been at the window of Bay 2 of the Records Department

for over 80 seconds.

What are you doing there?

I came for a replacement valve, for my speakwrite.

- Your speakwrite ceased to function? - Yes. Just now.

You should have notified the fault.

Only a moment's work. I've found the right type of valve.

Put it back!

You know it would have been brought to your work cubicle on request.

This irregularity has been recorded.

Return to your cubicle, Smith.

KZ-6090 Smith W, the repair to your apparatus

will be executed immediately.

Correction required as follows.

The 77777495 of 17th March 1984, copy sent herewith

contains report of speech by Big Brother.

He is alleged to have predicted that Eurasian forces would launch attack in North Africa.

Please rectify in accordance with facts.

Good evening.

Your technical fault has been put right?

Yes, I'm able to go on now.

"In his broadcast speech last night, Big Brother referred in confident terms"

"to the probability of a full-scale Eurasian offensive early next month."

"'There is now no possible doubt,' he said, 'that it will take place in North Africa."'

"Other fronts are expected to remain quiet."

An extraordinary error.

The speech was evidently misreported.

Grossly misreported, since the offensive in fact came in India.

South India. Three days ago.

Exactly.

Such a careless report...

must not exist.

Routine correction to 7777765 of 17th March 1984, where shown.

Quote: In his broadcast speech last night, Big Brother referred in confident terms

to the probability of a large-scale Eurasian offensive early next month.

"There is no possible doubt," he said. "It will be launched in South India."

Other parts are expected to remain quiet.

Reprint entire back number and file.

Stand by.

Everyone complete what you are now doing and stand by.

There are 45 seconds to go before the Two Minutes' Hate.

Correction required as follows.

The 7721165 of 19th December 1983

contains report of statement by the Ministry of Plenty.

Refers to, quote, "categorical pledge," unquote

of no reduction in chocolate ration during 1984.

Please rectify.

Thirty grams a week reduced to 20...

Routine correction to 7777765 of 19th December 1983 where shown

quote, a spokesman for the Ministry of Plenty stated last night

that it will be necessary to reduce the chocolate ration

to 20 grams in April, unquote.

Reprint entire back number.

Final warning.

Stand by, comrades, for the Two Minutes' Hate.

This is the face of our enemy.

Look at him, the Eurasian butcher

the reveller in atrocities, the world-criminal!

This is the enemy our brave soldiers fight

in the jungles and the deserts and the polar snows.

This is the enemy against whom

our brave sailors man the Floating Fortresses.

This is the enemy we can see!

But worse than he, is the enemy within.

The enemy of the people!

Emmanuel Goldstein!

Traitor to the Party.

Arch-conspirator, leader of the accursed Brotherhood!

Director of spies and saboteurs. This is he!

For Goldstein, we can feel only one thing.

Hate! Hate!

Hate for Goldstein, because he would stab us in the back.

Hate!

Because from his hiding place, he helps and directs our Eurasian enemies!

Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!

And now in this film

which has fallen into the hands of the Party

hear the voice of the traitor himself!

The Revolution has been betrayed!

- Liar! - Traitor!

- Listen to him! - "Betrayed!"

I was one of the leaders of that Revolution

so who should know better the ideals for which we fought?

- Traitor! - Traitor!

- Saboteur! - Traitor!

Here, in enforced and undeserved exile

I weep to hear of the ruin of all our plans.

Go on, weep then!

- Liar! - Hypocrite!

Where today is the freedom that was promised to Oceania?

There is no freedom of speech, no freedom of thought

no freedom of assembly, no freedom of the press!

Freedom is slavery!

Freedom is slavery!

Freedom is slavery!

What remains of the ideal of peace?

Universal peace?

Peace with our neighbours, peace to till the soil. Peace!

War is peace!

War is peace!

War is peace!

The whole of Oceania is plunged in ignorance!

Universal and abysmal ignorance!

Ignorance even of the most elementary principles of democracy!

Ignorance is strength!

Ignorance is strength!

Ignorance is strength!

The dictatorship of the Party

must be overthrown!

I call upon the people to destroy the tyrant

who calls himself Big Brother!

Swine! Swine! Swine!

Down with Goldstein!

Down with the enemies of the Party!

Kill him!

Smash him!

Torture him!

Kill him!

Down with Goldstein!

Hate!

I hate him.

I hate him! I hate him!

I hate Big Brother.

Down with Goldstein! Down with Goldstein!

Down with Goldstein!

Remember what I say!

I am speaking the truth!

I call upon the people to follow me!

Follow me!

Follow me

or die!

Big Brother!

Watch over us!

You save us!

You help us!

- Our protector! - Big Brother!

B.B.

B.B.!

B.B.

Oh, Syme?

Smith.

- What is it? - Are you going to the canteen?

- Of course. - Look, I'll join you, if you don't mind.

Now, please, come along there.

Them's stew with salt. Them's stew without.

Now, now! Come on, please.

Them's stew with salt. Them's stew without.

By the way, Smith...