Combat naval en Grèce (1897)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
aka Naval Combat in Greece
The title pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this Melies film. A captain (played by Melies) and his men are on a ship when they come under attack. The entire "special effect" here is that the ship is swirling back and forth as it comes under attack. Since that's all that happens for the entire minute, it's easy to say that this wouldn't be a good play for someone new to the director to start. Even die-hard fans might not be overly entertained by this thing simply because the film is missing that magical Melies touch. Looking at the movie it's well-made but at the same time it really doesn't jump off the screen and it certainly feels as if anyone could have directed. It might be unfair to the director but I think fans back then as well as of today have come to expect a certain level and this movie doesn't quite reach it.