Head-to-Head: O'Brien in 1984 (Andre Morell v.s. Michael Redgrave v.s. Richard Burton)

Andre Morell, Michael Redgrave, and Richard Burton all player O'Brien/O'Connor in the 1954, 1956 and 1984 versions of '1984' respectively.

A quality shared by all three actors portraying O'Brien (or in Redgrave's case, O'Connor) is the cool, rationalizing incisiveness each actor brings to the role. In particular, Burton and Morrell are almost dead ringers for one another in terms of how they're presented: bespectacled, white-haired, not particularly imposing in physical manner and yet somehow so domineering. Burton is particularly good at suggesting and yet not showing the enigmatic qualities of the man underneath, it's a remarkably assured piece of subtle acting on his behalf.

Morrell I would say is perhaps a bit too straightforward in his characterization, less enigmatic, perhaps to an extent more realistic than Burton's almost inhumanlike coldness and command, instead he plays O'Brien as more of a direct intimidator, while Burton plays his role with more of a cool oppressiveness that shows he can get what he wants from Winston without being very overt about it.

Redgrave, in contrast to the other two, plays his role with two very distinctly different sides. A cool, calm and composed side more along Redgrave's usual sort of role, and a fanatical devotee to Big Brother which is a brilliant masterstroke to the role. O'Brien should be a rational and coolheaded mastermind, yes, but Redgrave also takes into account how the man would be impelled to provoke and intimidate Winston with more overtly impactful tactics. Overall Redgrave gives a bit of a scattershot performance but it works incredibly well, and makes up for a few underwhelming reaction shots by Edmond O'Brien by his cruelly two-sided portrayal. Burton is not far behind though, as his one note of calm cruelty is so masterfully played, a great swansong to a mixed bag of a career. Morrell lags behind a bit because of his less complex approach and also, the fact that much of the power from his scenes are derived from Cushing's reaction shots.

1. Redgrave (4/5)
2. Burton (4/5)
3. Morrell (3.5/5)

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