Georges Méliès was not just a pioneer of early cinema, he was central to what we know as film today. An illustrator, magician, filmmaker, and inventor he paved the way for animation and multi-media filmmaking.
Of all of Méliès films, his boldest and most well known is certainlythe 13 minute film A Trip to the Moon [Le Voyage dans la Lune], loosely based on the writings of Jules Verne. A Trip to the Moon follows a group of travellers who jet off to the moon from earth on an exploration mission only to end up in peril and captured by the local inhabitants, the Selenites. Featuring a who’s who of theatrical cast from the era, with Méliès himself taking a lead role, this is one of the very first forays into sci-fi cinema, and spawned one of the most iconic images of cinema – the man in the moon with a rocket in his eye.
Presented here in both black and white and its original colours, and supplemented by Serge Bromberg and Eric Lange’s phenomenal documentary, An Extraordinary Voyage, along with Méliès’ unpublished autobiography, A Trip to the Moon can now be fully celebrated in this deluxe package. Whilst the film itself cf rouse is the main reason to purchase this blu ray package, the just over one hour documentary is for me the key buying reason for this Arrow blu ray set as it gives not only a great look at some of the films of Georges Méliès, but also is a great look into film history, even further back than most of us have seen before. Wonderfully interesting. Not to overshadow A Trip to the Moon though, If you have never seen one of the most classic films ever! and a real stepping stone in the world of film, then you should treat yourself to this blu ray set by Arrow.
The Special Features are as followed,
LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
• Limited Edition of 1,000 copies
• Deluxe limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork
• 214-page hardback casebound book of George Méliès’ autobiography, previously unpublished in English
BLU-RAY:
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original uncompressed Stereo 2.0 and 5.1 surround audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Multiple scores by world renowned composers
• The Innovations of Georges Méliès – new video essay by Jon Spira exploring A Trip to the Moon and Méliès’ career
• An Extraordinary Voyage – Serge Bromberg and Eric Lange’s 2011 documentary on the film, its rediscovery and preservation for future generations, featuring interviews with Costa Gavras, Michel Gondry, Michel Hazanavicius, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet
• Le Grand Méliès (1952) – a short film directed by Georges Franju about the life and work of Méliès – 2020 re-release trailer
BOOK
The Long-Lost Autobiography of Georges Méliès: Father of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Cinema – Available for the first time since 1961, finally translated into English by Ian Nixon, with annotations and supporting material by Jon Spira, Méliès filmography, illustrations by Lucy Collin, interviews with filmmaker Serge Bromberg, silent film expert Bryony Dixon, and filmmaker Michel Gondry
frompage2screen.com 