A Trip to the Moon

About A Trip to the Moon

"A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la Lune)" is a 1902 French adventure film directed by Georges Méliès. The film follows a group of astronomers who journey to the Moon in a cannon-propelled capsule, explore its surface, escape from alien inhabitants, and return safely to Earth. Groundbreaking in its use of special effects and storytelling, the film symbolizes the birth of early science fiction cinema.

Making / Production

A Trip to the Moon, a silent film, establishes an early example of visual storytelling in cinema. The hand-painted sets and innovative animation techniques, which incorporated models and miniature landscapes, created fantastical illusions. Known for pioneering numerous technical and narrative video forms, Méliès morphed simple theatrical means into magical cinema experiences.

Actors

• Georges Méliès played Professor Barbenfouillis. Méliès, also the director, brilliantly portrayed the leading role, showcasing a fascination with the unknown.
• ‘Bleuette Bernon’ portrayed the Moon. Her iconic image – the Man in the Moon getting hit in the eye – became a symbol of early cinema.
• The scientists, or astronomers, were played by Henri Delannoy, François Lallement, Jules-Eugène Legris and others, demonstrating a gripping portrayal of curiosity and discovery.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This film is based on two popular novels of that time: Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" and H.G. Wells' "The First Men in the Moon".
• Most of the film's sets were painted in black and white to suit the filmstock of the time. The famous shot of the moon's face was painted in bright colors.
• This was one of the very first films to use multiple scenes and to run longer than a few minutes.

Quotes

• This being a silent film, there are no verbal quotes; however, it can be celebrated for its unspoken quote, "One small step for man, giant leap for cinematography".

Music, Soundtrack

• As silent films had no synchronized sound for dialogue, "A Trip to the Moon" originally had no soundtrack. However, for its 2011 restoration, a new soundtrack was commissioned to French duo, Air.