A Trip to the Moon (1902) / The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Capsule Reviews

A Trip to the Moon (1902): gave birth to the narrative film, magical editing, and special effects

Before “A Trip to the Moon (1902),” films were concise, less than a minute, usually short skits to showcase the marvel of the camera, like “The Arrival of a Train” (first projected moving picture to the audience). Lumière brothers, Robert W. Paul, George Albert Smith, and many pushed the film’s boundary by new techniques like panning and tilt shots, double exposure, and making movies more than a minute. Director of “A Trip to the Moon” Georges Melies, a former magician known for creating masterful editing techniques and powerful effects, directed more than a hundred short skits.

In 1902, Georges Melies released his masterpiece “A Trip to the Moon (1902),” which changed the film history. The story follows a group of astronomers who go on a voyage to the moon. They build a rocket that resembles a large bullet, hitting the moon in the eye, the five astronomers reach the moon. Witnessing Earthrise in the distance, they are soon captured by the moon’s alien inhabitants. It’s not the sci-fi you would expect to see; it’s more like a fantasy fairy tale. Considering 1902 people only saw documentary-style skits, seeing a story for the first time on screen for them would be a breath-taking experience. The thirteen-minute movie everyone thought was impossible at the time inspired many filmmakers to make a film narratively and visually.

I was incredibly fascinated to see how this movie was made in Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo (2011)” homage to silent film, surrounding filmmaker Georges Melies. Georges Melies brought life to his imagination with the immaculate trick editing, revolutionary decorated settings, and costumes. Like the iconic shot seen in the poster, rocket hitting the moon, Georges Melies whole bag of tricks merged deeply with film history.

Conclusion: The magician turned filmmaker Georges Melies and his ground-breaking “A Trip to the Moon (1902)” gave birth to the narrative film, magical editing, and special effects. Worth seeing for movie history enthusiasts and film lovers. My rating 8/10.

Director:  Georges Méliès
Cast: Georges Méliès, Victor André, Bleuette Bernon 
Genre:  Short, Action, Adventure