Disney's Snow White & the Seven Dwarves is commonly called the first animated feature but 11 years ago before its release, at age of 23, Berlin born avant-gardist Charlotte Reinger designed the exquisite "silhouette film" The Adventures of Prince Achmed. Loosely based on the 1001 Nights (The Arabian Nights) The Adventures of Prince Achmed deploys elaborate cut-outs, early multiplane camerawork, and experiments with wax and sand to produce and exquisite visual feast. The fantasy world of sorcerers ad magic lamps, flying horses and an island lake where a princess and her attendants fly down to bathe using lace like wings comes to life in a breathtaking combination of images, color and special effects that will dazzle and enchant adults and children alike. The film was finished and had its premiere in Berlin in 1926.
Review of The Adventures of Prince Achmed
