Animal Farm

Animal Farm

Year: 1954

Runtime: 72 mins

Language: English

Directors: John Halas, Joy Batchelor

AnimationDramaPolitics and human rightsPolitical drama patriotism and warRiveting political and presidential drama

The animals on a farm rise up against their human owners, determined to seize control of their own destiny. Their revolutionary zeal quickly turns dark as infighting, the sacrifice of their young, and the grip of corruption erode the dream, leaving the new regime as compromised as the old.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Animal Farm (1954)

Trace every key event in Animal Farm (1954) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Old Major's revolutionary speech

Old Major rallies the animals to rebel against Mr. Jones and outlines a future where animals rule themselves. He teaches them Beasts of England, a revolutionary song that cements their shared cause. He dies from a heart attack the following day, leaving Snowball and Napoleon to carry on his ideas.

The day after Major's speech Manor Farm
2

Jones neglects the animals; uprising begins

Mr. Jones forgets to feed the animals the next morning, igniting their anger. Snowball leads the animals to raid the storehouse for food and, with force, drives Jones off the farm. The animals rename the place Animal Farm and vow to run it themselves, destroying tools of oppression in the process.

The morning after Major's death Manor Farm
3

Pigs consolidate power and train attack dogs

Napoleon and Snowball emerge as leaders, guiding the new society with Squealer spreading propaganda. Napoleon secretly begins raising an orphaned litter of puppies as attack dogs, using fear to solidify his position, while he also helps himself to Jones's jam storage.

Shortly after the rebellion Animal Farm
4

The Seven Commandments are written

The animals inscribe the Seven Commandments on a barn wall, with the central rule 'All animals are equal' established as the core principle. The Commandments create a shared set of rules to govern their new society. They begin to guide behavior and legitimize the leadership structure.

Shortly after the rebellion Barn wall
5

Snowball's windmill proposal; Snowball is expelled

Snowball holds a meeting and promises electric power at the cost of harder work, presenting a windmill plan to generate future energy. Napoleon opposes the plan, arguing it will overburden the animals. In a dramatic turn, Napoleon has his dogs chase Snowball off the farm and proclaims himself leader, claiming Snowball's windmill idea as his own.

Shortly after Snowball's proposal Animal Farm
6

Windmill project begins; privileges grow for the pigs

Construction of the windmill is set in motion and the animals toil to complete it. The pigs increasingly abstain from hard labor and enjoy luxuries such as milk and other extras, justifying it as 'brainwork' that benefits all. The rest of the animals keep up the demanding work to sustain the project.

Months after the windmill decision Animal Farm
7

Beds, and the altered commandments

The pigs are discovered sleeping in beds inside the farmhouse, betraying the original egalitarian creed. In response, the Commandment about sleeping in beds is rewritten to 'No animal shall sleep in a bed WITH SHEETS.' The animals accept the change, gradually normalizing the pigs' privileges.

During the windmill construction period Farmhouse
8

Eggs trade and hens' rebellion

Napoleon begins trading eggs for jam with Mr. Whymper, violating the other animals' expectations of self-sufficiency. The hens stage a protest against the egg confiscations, sparking fear and a harsh crackdown. A show trial follows, and dissenters are executed by the dogs as the Commandment about killing is altered.

During the early years of Napoleon's rule Animal Farm
9

Beasts of England banned; revolution declared complete

Napoleon bans Beasts of England, proclaiming that the revolution has been completed and the Farm is now under a new order. The animals are told to accept the status quo as the leadership consolidates its power. The dream of a free Animal Farm fades behind state propaganda.

Soon after the executions Animal Farm
10

Farmers attack; windmill destroyed

Jealous farmers and neighbouring humans attempt to retake the farm; the animals defend the windmill, suffering heavy casualties. Jones returns drunk and blows up the windmill with himself inside, sabotaging the project and plunging the farm into renewed struggle.

Several years after the windmill began Animal Farm
11

Boxer injured and output deteriorates

Boxer sustains injuries from the brutal labor and his advancing age forces him toward retirement from field work. Napoleon arranges for Boxer to be taken away in a van, which Benjamin suspects is bound for Whymper's glue factory. Squealer delivers a euphemistic eulogy, claiming Boxer died praising Napoleon.

Late in the regime, after the windmill conflicts Animal Farm
12

All animals are equal, but some are more equal

Years pass and the pigs consolidate power, expanding their influence to nearby farms and living like humans. The Commandments are reduced to a single line: 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.' Benjamin discovers the pigs' hypocrisy as they host a dinner party and punish dissent with smug indifference. Finally, the animals storm the farmhouse, killing Napoleon and his followers, realizing that the new order is indistinguishable from the old one.

Several years later; final days Animal Farm / Farmhouse

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:25

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Animal Farm

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