This short silent film is part of the DVD collection entitled "The Magic of Méliès" and is the fourth volume of THE MOVIES BEGIN series from Kino Video. Unlike copies of Méliès' films that are posted on the internet, the prints for these short films are exceptionally crisp and clean and feature wonderful musical scores. Oddly, though, is that aside from a few films such as THE BLACK IMP and THE IMPOSSIBLE VOYAGE, most of the shorts chosen for this DVD are actually not among the best of Méliès' films--having a strong tendency to show is "stagy" material as opposed to the films that have elaborate sets and plots. In particular, my favorites such as BARBE-BLEUE and LE VOYAGE DANS LE LUNE (his most famous film) are not on this DVD.
When the movie begins, the film seems a tad ordinary. However, as it progresses, the camera tricks become more and more impressive. And, to top off an already good film, the ending is very funny slapstick--with electrocutions and pratfalls galore. While not the director's best, this is a very good and about average film for Méliès.
When the movie begins, the film seems a tad ordinary. However, as it progresses, the camera tricks become more and more impressive. And, to top off an already good film, the ending is very funny slapstick--with electrocutions and pratfalls galore. While not the director's best, this is a very good and about average film for Méliès.