Own a Piece of Cold War Movie History!
ARTWORK FROM THE ICONIC 1954 ANIMATED CLASSIC, ANIMAL FARM
Animal Farm author George Orwell popularized the term 'Cold War' in a 1945 essay. The CIA subsequently financed the adaptation of Animal Farm as a propaganda film to fight communism at the height of the Cold War.
Fusing art, politics, and espionage, each original artwork from the film comprises a pencil drawing and a hand painted animation ‘cel’ - iconic pieces of cinematic history acquired by SPYSCAPE directly from the filmmakers.
Historical Context
During the Cold War, culture was a battlefield and art was deployed as a weapon. Into this charged atmosphere, the CIA conceived Operation Aedinosaur: launching hot air balloons from West Germany to fly across the Iron Curtain. The balloons carried copies of Animal Farm as a way to challenge the Soviet narrative and encourage people to question communism. Many were shot down by local air forces.
The CIA secretly gave American film producer Louis de Rochemont most of the $500,000 needed to fund the project. De Rochemont hired Britain’s top animators Halas & Batchelor to make the film, with a gala launch at the United Nations in New York. The film was an immediate hit: “The British out-Disney Disney” read one newspaper headline. The CIA thus ensured their anti-communist take on Orwell’s story would reach a global audience.
George Orwell: The Voice of the 20th Century
Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, was one of the 20th century’s most influential writers. His works, characterized by profound explorations of totalitarianism and oppression, were born from a life interwoven with the defining events and ideologies of his time. In fact, Animal Farm sprang from Orwell's personal experience of communism during the Spanish Civil War.
Halas and Batchelor: Pioneers of Animation
Husband and wife duo John Halas and Joy Batchelor crafted narratives that reflected the social and political landscape of their time. Their projects ranged from public service announcements to thought-provoking shorts, always managing to engage and enlighten audiences. Their dedication to animation wasn’t just about entertainment but also education, a testament to their vision of the medium’s profound capacity for storytelling.
For Sale: A Defining Moment in Animal Farm
The artworks available for sale capture an important moment in the story: the animals unified in song, voicing for the first time their newfound communist beliefs in freedom and equality. In this iconic scene the animals gather in secret from every corner of the farm to hear Old Major, the revered pig, deliver a fervent speech condemning the tyrannies of Farmer Jones and human rule. Igniting a rebellion, his proclamations stir the animals in revolutionary song, which is so vividly captured in these rare works for sale.
FAQs
You'll receive a two-part set: an original hand-drawn animated cel and its corresponding pencil animated drawing. Both pieces showcase the intricate artistry of animation.
Animation drawings and hand-painted cels were working materials, so their condition reflects studio use during the production process. Each of the works is unique, and may include authentic signs of use, such as handling marks and paint separation.
The artworks are valuable and delicate so all items are securely packed and shipped using archival-quality materials and trusted delivery services.
Please refer to our Return and Refund Policy for detailed information.
We have worked with the original animation studio to curate this collection, ensuring that what you're purchasing is not just a piece of art but also a piece of history.
