1900-1910

Origin: Le Voyage Dans La Lune ("A Trip to the Moon") was the first science fiction film to be viewed on screen. It was created by French director and magician George Melies. This was the greatest of 500 films made by Melies. Due to there being no audio at the time, this was a silent film and was accompanied by music played by an artist at the theater. The movie originally came out in 1902 in France. However, it was pirated and sold under other directors' names and sold in many different countries. Melies was inspired by Jules Verne's From the Earth to the Moon (1865). The movie explored the idea of space and journeying towards the moon at a time when that was thought impossible. 

Purpose: Being the first science fiction film of the time, Le Voyage Dans La Lune attracted a lot of attention from movie-goers. It began to explore the idea of the unknown and reaching towards space. This changed the types of films that people began to produce. Additionally this was a film which George Melies not only directed, but also played the main role, designed sets and costumes, photographed, and produced. Melies used his experience as a magician to incorporate special effects into the film, such as aliens turning to smoke and chairs turning into telescopes. This was also one of the first satire films intended to make fun of the scientific community. It inspired directors that followed to make films similar to this and started the science fiction genre.

Value: 1900-1910 was a time of discovery and research of space. People began to talk about journeying into space and how it was possible. La Voyage Dans La Lune was, as said previously, a satire and was made to ridicule the various scientists claiming that space travel was possible. The men in the film are launched into space through a cannon without any gear or oxygen. This is meant to represent how space travel is simply a fiction. Another added value is that this film began to challenge directors to add visual effects to their movies. This is the best representation of this time period, because it shows the thoughts of the time and development in film. 

Limitations: However useful this piece is, it has it limits. The piece doesn't allow one to decipher how many people disagreed with the thought of travel into space. During the time period some people thought of space travel theories as insane, while others thought it was groundbreaking. This piece was seen as average in meaning, but new in terms of effects and plot. The voices of the general people are not seen in the film; only the Melies is able to say what he wants.

Another Famous Movie:

• The Great Train Robbery (1903)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oTdPklBE0Y