This brief trick film by Georges Méliès is very similar to his 1896 film "Le manoir du diable". Both films are often referred to by the same or similar English titles, too, such as "The Haunted Castle". But, they are different films, with no apparent connection (as in a sequel) made by the producers. The backdrop in this film seems to be a slightly redone edition of that used in "Le manoir du diable"; in addition, the same costumes were probably used in both productions. Méliès, again, plays the on-screen victim to his own substitution splices (stop substitutions) created behind the screen by also being the film's director and editor. At the end of the film, Mephistopheles reveals himself as the perpetrator of the tricks; he was also the antagonist in the other aforementioned film.
"La manoir du diable", although having been made before this film, is actually a bit more elaborate and longer. "Le château hanté" hurries through a series of appearances, disappearances and substitutions, ending with the revelation of Mephistopheles—all within 44 seconds and a single, stationary camera position. As with most of Méliès's films, this one was also available to be hand-colored. Fortunately, the print available today is partly hand-colored.
"La manoir du diable", although having been made before this film, is actually a bit more elaborate and longer. "Le château hanté" hurries through a series of appearances, disappearances and substitutions, ending with the revelation of Mephistopheles—all within 44 seconds and a single, stationary camera position. As with most of Méliès's films, this one was also available to be hand-colored. Fortunately, the print available today is partly hand-colored.