The order-disorder properties of two one-dimensional lattice models of plane rotators are investigated. The first is a 256 particle-system and the anisotropic interaction is of the T-2 (cos theta(ij)) type (where T-2 (cos theta(ij)) is the second Tchebyshev polynomial cos 2 theta(ij) and theta(ij) = theta(i) - theta(j) is the angle between molecular symmetry axes), confined to the nearest neighbours. In the other system the interaction is long-range, of the r(-3/2) type, the anisotropic part being T-2 (cos theta(ij)) again. The system size is 512 with the range of interaction extending to 64-neighbours on each side. We have performed Monte Carlo studies of both systems and find that at low temperatures Faber’s theory of nematic order accurately describes both systems. Comparison with the work of Romano(8) reveals that for the system with long-range interaction, the transition temperature changes with the truncation distance of the potential.