1984 (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

The Criterion Collection’s 1984 is Michael Radford’s adaptation of George Orwell’s novel, presented on Blu-ray with a listed 4K restoration and director-approved special features. It centers on Winston Smith’s resistance to a surveillance state, with John Hurt and Richard Burton named in the listing.

At a glance

Listing describes a new 4K digital restoration supervised by cinematographer Roger Deakins. The playback format is Blu-ray, not 4K UHD.
The edition lists two scores, one by Eurythmics and one by Dominic Muldowney.
Special features include interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, a trailer and an essay by A. L. Kennedy.
The film stars John Hurt and Suzanna Hamilton, with Richard Burton also named in the listing.

Price

$19.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$39.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Often bought together

Fahrenheit 451 [Blu-ray]

$8.99

THX 1138 (BD)

$8.25

Pros and cons

Pros

Includes two score options, offering a choice between the Eurythmics score and Dominic Muldowney’s score.
Criterion’s listed extras include interviews with director Michael Radford and cinematographer Roger Deakins, plus behind-the-scenes footage.
Single-disc Blu-ray presentation suits viewers seeking the film and its listed supplements in one physical edition.

Cons

Blu-ray format does not provide 4K UHD playback, despite the listing’s mention of a 4K restoration.
The film’s bleak, oppressive dystopian subject may not suit viewers seeking lighter viewing.

Technical specifications

11 specifications

Disc and presentation
Format	Blu-ray
Number of discs	1
Runtime	110 minutes
Genre	DRAMA
MPAA rating	R (Restricted)
Aspect ratio	Unknown

Audio, language and subtitles
Language	English
Additional language track	Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Edition and release
Studio	The Criterion Collection
Release date	July 23, 2019

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 0.01 ounces

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The listing describes a new 4K digital restoration but identifies the product format as Blu-ray. Treat this as a restored Blu-ray presentation, not a 4K UHD disc. It also lists English as the language in one detail and Italian Dolby Digital 5.1 in another, while the description mentions an uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Confirm the desired audio track and aspect ratio, which is listed as unknown, before buying. The stated dimensions entry also includes a weight value.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Criterion Collection collectors looking for a Blu-ray edition with restoration and supplementary material.
Viewers interested in Orwell adaptations, dystopian drama and a choice of two listed scores.
Fans of John Hurt, Suzanna Hamilton, Richard Burton or Roger Deakins.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a 4K UHD disc rather than a Blu-ray.
Viewers who prefer upbeat or light films.

1984 (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.7 / 5 · 1,126 ratings

5 stars83%83%
4 stars11%11%
3 stars3%3%
2 stars1%1%
1 star2%2%

Customer feedback describes the film as a strong adaptation, praising its acting, visually arresting scenes and informative themes, including perceived parallels with modern times. Some customers instead find it boring, bleak or depressing. That split matters for a 110-minute drama whose dystopian subject is central to the experience. The listing’s restored Blu-ray and extra features may interest collectors, but they do not change the film’s deliberately grim tone.

Positive themes

Customers praise the acting, visual impact and faithfulness to the book.
Some customers find the film informative and see parallels with modern times.

Mixed feedback

Some customers find the film boring or bleak, while others regard it as a masterpiece.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a 4K UHD disc?

No. The listed format is Blu-ray. The product description says the Blu-ray uses a new 4K digital restoration, which does not make the disc a 4K UHD release.

What extras are listed?

The listing names interviews with director Michael Radford and cinematographer Roger Deakins, behind-the-scenes footage, a trailer and an essay by A. L. Kennedy. It also describes two scores.

What language and audio does the disc include?

The listing gives English as a language, lists Italian Dolby Digital 5.1 in another language field, and describes an uncompressed monaural soundtrack. These details are not fully consistent, so confirm the track information if it matters to you.

How long is the film?

The listed runtime is 110 minutes.