8. Winston Smith in 1984
This one is going to spark a huge debate between readers and fans of the film. The ending of George Orwell's book can be read two ways. The first is to look at the language figuratively. As Orwell describes the death of Smith he is actually describing the death of his individuality and freedom from Big Brother. Inasmuch as Smith is dead to himself the man who he was is dead to the world. Yet on the other hand there's enough in the language to suggest that Orwell is in fact telling his audience that Smith was executed. Either way you look at it the ending to the movie is a little different. Winston Smith (John Hurt) is playing chess by himself in a dreary pub. The love of his life, Julia, sits down beside him, but by this time Big Brother has punished his mind so much that he can hardly speak to her. The film ends by showing Smith to be truly dead to the world on the inside just like the book suggests depending on how you read it.