This ancient Georges Méliès film is one of the most elaborate of its day. Unlike most films from the time it actually tells a story. It's primitive and simplistic of course but for the 19th century this is complex cinema. Nevertheless, it's the execution more than the narrative that makes it interesting. The story is basically about a nightmare experienced by an astronomer. In it the moon advances up close and terrorises him.
For such an old film it's extremely ambitious. Méliès uses his famed visual trickery in many ways here but perhaps the most memorable aspect about this one isn't a special effect, it's the huge moon man. This large giant orb is a precursor to the famous one in A Trip to the Moon a few years later. In this one he is a source of menace but he is quite comic looking nevertheless. A memorable creation for sure and one of the first iconic moments in the early years of cinema.
For such an old film it's extremely ambitious. Méliès uses his famed visual trickery in many ways here but perhaps the most memorable aspect about this one isn't a special effect, it's the huge moon man. This large giant orb is a precursor to the famous one in A Trip to the Moon a few years later. In this one he is a source of menace but he is quite comic looking nevertheless. A memorable creation for sure and one of the first iconic moments in the early years of cinema.