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Georges MeliesLe Voyage Dans La Lune (1902)

Le Voyage Dans La Lune is a 1902 French science fiction black and white film. It is loosely based on two popular novels of the time: From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne and The First Men in the Moon by H. G. Wells. It was written and directed by Georges Méliès, with help from his brother Gaston.

It is recognized as one of the first films of the science fiction genre, and for its innovative animation.

At a meeting of astronomers, one proposes to the rest a trip to the Moon. After addressing some dissent (the speaker pitches some paper at him), six brave astronomers agree to the plan. They build a space capsule in the shape of a bullet and a huge cannon to shoot it into space. The astronomers embark and their capsule is fired from the cannon with the help of a bevy of beautiful women (played by chorus girls of the Folies Bergères). The Man in the Moon watches the capsule as it approaches, and it hits him in the eye.

Safely on the Moon, the explorers get out of the capsule and watch the Earth rise in the distance. Something then explodes near them. They then unroll their blankets, and take a nap. They dream of celestial Folies-Bergères girls as the stars of the Big Dipper, Saturn, and another Moon, who call down a snowfall that wakens the explorers. The explorers seek shelter in a cavern and discover giant mushrooms. One astronomer opens his umbrella; it promptly takes root and turns into a giant mushroom itself. At this point, a Selenite (an alien inhabiting the Moon, apparently part man and part insect) appears, but it is easily killed by an astronomer (the creatures explode if whacked with a stick or umbrella). More Selenites appear and it becomes increasingly difficult for the explorers to destroy them as the creatures surround them. The Selenites arrest the astronomers and bring them to their leader. An astronomer picks the Chief Selenite up off its throne and dashes it to the ground, exploding it.

The astronomers run back to their capsule (popping pursuing Selenites on the way). Five get inside. The sixth uses a rope to tip the capsule over a ledge on the Moon and into space. A Selenite tries to seize the capsule at the last minute. Astronomer, capsule, and Selenite fall through space and land in an ocean on Earth, where all are rescued by a ship and towed ashore.

There is in fact a final scene of the film in which there is a celebratory parade in honor of the travellers' safe return. Parts of the final scene have been recovered but the entire scene has been lost.

Note: This version is narrated in french and the end has been edited/cut until the beginning of the celebratory scene.


This movie is part of the collection: Feature Films

Director: Georges Melies
Producer: Georges Melies
Audio/Visual: sound, black & white
Language: French
Keywords: voyage; dans; lune; georges; melies; trip; moon; 1902; classic; edit; old; movie; black; white; french; narrated; sci; fi

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - September 13, 2006
Subject: Be Careful! You Could Put the Man In the Moon's Eye Out with That!
This is the movie everybody thinks of when you mention Georges Melies. And why not? This delightful romp about some silly astronomers and their goofy trip to the moon is a classic. It was most likely the first movie ever made about space travel. The scene of the Man in the Moon getting hit in the eye by the Giant Space Bullet (which was shot out of the Giant Space Gun) is probably filmdom's first bona fide iconic image. This is also the first film in which the Cranky Guy on Saturn appears (spot him in a Melies film and you win a free ice cream cone on your next visit!). Enjoy! A 1902 Melies film.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: *****. Weirdness: *****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: *****.

Credits

Directed by Georges Méliès
Produced by Georges Méliès
Screenplay by Georges Méliès & Gaston Méliès
Starring Georges Méliès

Release date September 1, 1902 (France)