This film traces the life of the author of "1984" and "Animal Farm" during one crucial year, 1936. In that year Orwell spent some time in the depressed North of England, married, set off for the Spanish Civil War and completed his book "The Road to Wigan Pier", which set his course as a political writer.
Orwell is remembered by the people who knew him at the time, both in London and in the North. Among those who comment on his work and ideas are W.H. Auden, Noam Chomsky, Michael Foot, MP, Norman Mailer and Angus Wilson