Generally considered to be one of the first great narrative films, Georges Méliès’ 1902 film, A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la Lune), is a truly brilliant work, particularly when considering that it is over 100 years old. Of the hundreds of short films produced by the visionary Méliès, A Trip to the Moon has stood the test of time as his greatest achievement, and the film has earned numerous historical distinctions, including a #84 ranking on The Village Voice list of the greatest films of the 20th century… not bad for a feature that clocks in at just over 10 minutes.
The plot of the film is simple enough, borrowing from the works of Jules Verne: a group of astronomers build a cannon to launch a ship into space for a lunar expedition. The scientists board the vessel, are fired into space, and–in one of the most iconic images in the history of cinema–crash land directly into the right eye of the “man in the moon.” One on the moon, the scientists must defend themselves from a group of “Selenites” (moon beings), returning to their ship and completing the voyage back to earth. Along the way, we are treated to a number of special effects (rather outstanding and inventive for 1902’s standards), including the disappearance of the Selenite beings into clouds of dust at merely the touch of an umbrella.
The film is a playful, theatrical precursor for the science fiction genre film that still manages to entertain audiences a century after its creation. Méliès clearly shows his talents as a master of his craft; although produced long before the development of auteur theory, the film is completely Méliès’ vision, and it shows throughout. A Trip to the Moon is essential viewing for any serious film fan, and serves as an excellent entr’acte for any screening of Martin Scorsese’s wonderful film, Hugo (2011).
Bru's Reviews 