In its original literary form, George Orwell's 1946 satire of Stalinist Russia provoked readers' minds with its power and intelligence. Here turned into a TV movie, the political allegory falls flat, losing its impact to show-off animatronics and a "guess the celebrity voice" cast. While similar films such as Babe sugar-coated their commentary on cruelty and the abuse of power with charm and humour, this story of downtrodden farm animals revolting against their master is relentlessly bleak and often too disturbing and ideologically complex for the youngsters it will attract. Yet the very fact that this drama revolves around talking livestock (even if they are voiced by actors such as Pete Postlethwaite and Kelsey Grammer), may similarly alienate adults - particularly since the film also explores social ideals outmoded by time and reality. Consequently, as with the 1954 animated version, it's more a study-guide companion piece than family entertainment.

Animals on a farm lead a revolution against the farmers to put their destiny in their own hands. However this revolution eats their own children and they cannot avoid corruption.