Literature & Language Essay: Critical Response Papers 10/2

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Critical Response Papers 10/2
William Menzies’ Things to Come perfectly showcases how humans try to create something better even after they destroy what they already have. In particular, Menzies’ film stresses humanity’s dependence on science and technology (Things to Come 1936). It is these two factors that extended efforts in the great war. It is also through these two factors that we try to create a better world. Menzies’ film shows how people can come together to make a world where we all live in harmony. However, the movie is an inaccurate description of the real world. It is a meagre dream or wish as foreseen by the creator or filmmaker. The world, as it is, is chaotic. It would take centuries before all the countries of the world decided to come together and create one world. A world that would be technologically advanced and its people would live together and in peace. This is not possible.
Michael Anderson’s 1984 showcases what would have happened if the world descended into a war of atomic bombs. As seen in the first six minutes of the film, people are rushing to take cover before the bombing starts (1984 1956). Anderson’s movie makes the viewer understand the kind of anticipation people had during the 50s and 60s. This was a time when people were sure that the world would descend into atomic war. But does it mean that privacy would be taken away? There are a lot of cameras watching people, including in their houses. This is where it gets fascinating in my opinion because the movie stresses that even in a world in turmoil, some still fail to do as they are told. In the first scene, when the man enters his house, he hides something by kicking it with his foot (1984 1956). This is so that the camera, which is highly placed and watching him, cannot see what it is.
Beilharz and Ellen (13...