Le Voyage dans la lune (A Trip to the Moon) (1902)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  Le Voyage dans la lune is a very important film in the history of cinema. This is a wonderful short film that should be seen by every serious film buff. I first became aware of this film when watching the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, and afterwards I lost sight of this… More
  Le Voyage dans la lune is a very important film in the history of cinema. This is a wonderful short film that should be seen by every serious film buff. I first became aware of this film when watching the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, and afterwards I lost sight of this film. Fortunately upon watching the trailer to Hugo I was able to rediscover this film, and check it out. This is a terrific sci fi short film that captures the imagination. The film is really something to see, The film uses simple, yet very creative tricks for special effects. Georges Méliès influence on cinema is important, and as one of the first directors in the medium, he pioneered something that 100 years later would still be exciting to see. This film is simple, yet effective and shows that even all the way back in 1902, the cinematic medium had the power to capture the imagination. This is a classic film that is a pleasant treat to watch. The film is fun to look at, and despite for its slight silliness, no one can dismiss this film. This film served in a way as a prediction that we would land on the moon. Before there was Sci fi as we know it, there was this film. This film is an important landmark in film history. This film shows that even in the early days of cinema, great ideas for films were striving to entertain audiences. Georges Méliès is a true pioneer of the cinematic medium and his imagination, vision and skill to create something wonderful on-screen is a testament that outclasses even the biggest films of today. If you're curious about the early of cinema, and are passionate about the medium, then give this work a shot. This is truly a fun silent film that is memorable and worth your time.

• Alexander D

  
  There are two possible lenses to see LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE (in English: A Trip to the Moon through. The first is that it is merely an extremely uneventful, silly, and boring film, even though it doesn't reach a mere ten minutes (yes, apparently that was considered… More
  There are two possible lenses to see LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE (in English: A Trip to the Moon through. The first is that it is merely an extremely uneventful, silly, and boring film, even though it doesn't reach a mere ten minutes (yes, apparently that was considered feature-length upon its 1902 release). Contrarily, you could view it as a French film that could have easily served as the inspiration for today's cinematic science fiction of greater lengths, such as APOLLO 13 or even WALL-E, if you may. Though I struggled a bit when trying to fixate myself into the latter position, I can't quite agree with the former opinion, either. Based on two novels (From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne and The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells), this is one of the few films that strike me as downright questionable. For the first two minutes, it's as if the same three or four shots are repeated over and over, just to take up some time: we see a group of people together and another man pacing below them. Creativity? I think not. I can't exactly say that I hate silent films, but I certainly am not into them. LE VOYAGE is a film that probably should have been waited on until sound was available, so that a hundred and ten years later, we aren't staring at the screen wondering what on Earth is going on. No, there aren't any title cards here, either. Maybe for its 110th anniversary, this film should have audio added into it, and earn itself another release. It's just so excruciating wondering what's going on and why such a film is so beloved.

• KJ P

  
  In the first sci-fi/adventure film of all time, a man leads his crew to believe that he can shoot them in a bullet through a cannon, onto the moon. The visual effects are all practical and hand drawn, making this one of the most celebrated pieces of film of all time. It may be simple,… More
  In the first sci-fi/adventure film of all time, a man leads his crew to believe that he can shoot them in a bullet through a cannon, onto the moon. The visual effects are all practical and hand drawn, making this one of the most celebrated pieces of film of all time. It may be simple, but when it was first released, George Meilies decided to Direct, Produce, Edit, do the artwork, and anything else other than the acting was his to helm. He wanted his work to be as picture perfect as possible. It may be laughable now, but it was phenomenal for it's time. A Trip To The Moon is not just a small extravagant piece of filmmaking, but it is a celebration of the ages!

• Spencer S

  
  The first sci-fi film ever made, George Melies brings his history as a magician to the screen with many tricks and first time use of special effects to the screen. The plot is simply that of a group of astronomers who venture to the moon on an expedition. There is a fair bit of comedy… More
  The first sci-fi film ever made, George Melies brings his history as a magician to the screen with many tricks and first time use of special effects to the screen. The plot is simply that of a group of astronomers who venture to the moon on an expedition. There is a fair bit of comedy along the way, along with a series of events that has led many college classes to venture that it revolves around colonization and Imperialism. One can see this by the destruction of the moon's inhabitants and the ignorance of the astronomers, who fall off a cliff, falling back to Earth. Though simplistic, the sets were lavish, the effects magically, and the comedy firm and ageless. Simply a great first step into the medium.

• Cindy I

  
  In the late 19th and early 20th century, Thomas Edison's production company was making films with a realism and a social conscience. Across the pond in France, Georges Melies was making wildly fantastic films about space and fairies and gods and goddesses, filled with magical… More
  In the late 19th and early 20th century, Thomas Edison's production company was making films with a realism and a social conscience. Across the pond in France, Georges Melies was making wildly fantastic films about space and fairies and gods and goddesses, filled with magical special effects, explosions and lots and lots of half-dressed girls. A Trip to the Moon is his most-well known film. Even people who know nothing about early filmmaking would recognize the scene of the moon with the rocket stuck in its eye. From a scientific standpoint, this film is ridiculous in its naivete' about space travel -- Melies ain't H.G. Wells or Jules Verne -- but that doesn't matter. The obviously hand-painted sets and cartoonish effects add to the fantasy, not to mention the entertainment value. This film is considered the first science-fiction film, without which films such as Forbidden Planet, Star Wars and Alien may never have existed.

• AJ V

  
  One of my favourite old sci-fi movies. Although you can tell that the set and effects are cheap and fake, they're so creative and cool that you don't mind. This is a must see for sci-fi fans.

• Luke B

  
  Want to see one of those pieces of art that has inspired, pretty much, everything that came after it? A Trip to the Moon will be familiar, even if you haven't seen it. It's imagery has cropped up in adverts, music videos and , well, just about everywhere. It's a very… More
  Want to see one of those pieces of art that has inspired, pretty much, everything that came after it? A Trip to the Moon will be familiar, even if you haven't seen it. It's imagery has cropped up in adverts, music videos and , well, just about everywhere. It's a very short film about some men that go to the moon. Everything about this film is truly creative, even 107 years later. From the bullet to the moon, to the fragile inhabitants. It's hard to imagine to imagine the medium, or sci-fi, being the same without it.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Probably the first motion picture with a story. Very resourceful and imaginative.

• Jennifer X

  
  those selenites are GREAT. this movie is a 100 years old and i am still incessantly entertained by it. it just goes to show that dated movies (even one that goes THIS far back; seriously i didn't even know they had cameras back then) can still be absolutely FABULOUS.

• Dillon L

  
  'A Trip to the Moon' is a classic imaginative short film, and is memorable as being one of the first films ever made.

• David O

  
  I watched this after having seen Hugo, a story involving George Melies, and it made me want to discover more movies of this time. A Great movie for another century to come

• Matthew Y

  
  I'd love a complete works of Georges Méliès DVD. All his films were 5-10 minutes long so I image this is possible to fit on only one or two discs. He was the first to experiment with the photography tricks which have become staples it the movie magic bag of tricks and each… More
  I'd love a complete works of Georges Méliès DVD. All his films were 5-10 minutes long so I image this is possible to fit on only one or two discs. He was the first to experiment with the photography tricks which have become staples it the movie magic bag of tricks and each short is a quick and fun little experience. A Trip to the Moon is more famous than it is good, however and for a six minute film it doesn't develop a storyline and mostly exists for the costumes and set designs. The image of the rocket in the moon's eye is an all time great cinematic image and for that A Trip to the Moon gets a fresh rating from me.

• Mike T

  
  A groundbreaking revolution in the art form that I love and revere so much. It's a feat that is by no means timid. Director Georges Méliès really explores the terrain of film as a visual expression, toying with such editing tools as dissolves and superimpositions as a method for… More
  A groundbreaking revolution in the art form that I love and revere so much. It's a feat that is by no means timid. Director Georges Méliès really explores the terrain of film as a visual expression, toying with such editing tools as dissolves and superimpositions as a method for smooth storytelling. Released in 1902, this picture opened so many doors and presented possibilities that had yet to have been examined. This is an entertaining, truly awe-inspiring milestone. Remarkable.

• Simeon D

  
  The peak of silent film. This overly whimsical space adventure, often considered as the first science fiction film, is brief (running at about 10 minutes) and has excessively intricate sets. The design is very impressive and has to be some of the best I've ever seen, even by… More
  The peak of silent film. This overly whimsical space adventure, often considered as the first science fiction film, is brief (running at about 10 minutes) and has excessively intricate sets. The design is very impressive and has to be some of the best I've ever seen, even by today's standards. I watched this because it was shown at the beginning of the Around the World In 80 Days (1956) DVD, and I must say that it's both enjoyable and fun. Worth seeing. 101/100

• Alice S

  
  Delightful, naive fantasy. Charming, poetic images.

• Ivan D

  
  The first movie ever made has lots of vision and imagination that established itself rightfully as the first sci-fi picture ever created. The sets are amazing, and of course the special effects are not Ray Harryhausen caliber(from the 50's), but thinking that this was made 100… More
  The first movie ever made has lots of vision and imagination that established itself rightfully as the first sci-fi picture ever created. The sets are amazing, and of course the special effects are not Ray Harryhausen caliber(from the 50's), but thinking that this was made 100 years ago is enough proof to admire this film. The aliens turning to dust when hit was great, and the scene when the moon's eye was stucked with a space capsule in its eye has become a landmark image of cinema.

• Henrik S

  
  Schneider's 1001 Movies you have to see before you die, No. 1. A visionary sci-fi spectacle depicting a "voyage" to the moon. Yet, the movie is far from being realistic (whatever these realistic ideas regarding lunar travel may have been), but feels like a Da Vinci,… More
  Schneider's 1001 Movies you have to see before you die, No. 1. A visionary sci-fi spectacle depicting a "voyage" to the moon. Yet, the movie is far from being realistic (whatever these realistic ideas regarding lunar travel may have been), but feels like a Da Vinci, Steampunk and Fantasy mash up. The special effects are impressive and there are some I still cannot explain technically when watching it. The sets and costumes are great as well. The movie also features the famous scene / shot of the rocket being stuck in the moon's eye which is a motive prominently featured in pop cutlure and it was nice to finally see it within its original cinematic context. Melies was a pioneer of movie making both in terms of technique and artistic vision and I am impressed with his choice of going for something bold and daring as lunar travel, considering this were the infant days of movie making. You can tell that prior to moviemaking (obviosuly) theatre and stage productions were still the go-to medium / form of entertainment and creativity (visually). Many shots in this movie are totals and have a stage-like feel to it and when it comes to the composition of the elements (the gathering of scholars, the men entering the spaceship etc.). One of my fellow reviewers noted how the rocket hitting the moon in the eye would be a de tour of the main storyline, but I kind of disagree. If you take many contemporary mainstream, especially "family" and "childrens" movies into account, they usually blend a serious storyline (LOTR, POTC, Disney movies) with some reliefing (catharsian) funny elements, such as Gollum and Sam quarreling with each other, or Jack Sparrow's charms or all the cute little critters supporting the heroes in Disney movies. For me, the whole movie was a bit of a satire of human endeveour in general, mocking the will to surpass our fate and nature by launching rockets to the moon (nearly a Faustian scenario). The rocket in the moon's may very well be a comment on "nature's" take on the whole undertaking. After all, the humans in this movie decide to destroy whoever it is they encounter on the other planet, which is another harsh comment. The acting is of course very dramatic in the purest sense of stage acting. Elaborated gestures and a high priority on readability, which works fine with in a fantastic movie, as you do not really expect anything to be normal anyway. The movie is part of a tradition (which was still ongoing) of speculative fiction, think Jules Verne and think (ahead) H.G. Wells. These authors (and this film) had a very Da Vinci'esque take on science fiction, trying to resolve physical problems with a very tongue-in-cheek approach, which makes it so interesting for people to watch, because you do not need to be a computer of physics geek to appreciate the works. Highly recommended, Next on the list: 2. The great Train robbery Henrik

• Dimitris S

  
  A delight and I would easily enjoy it for a second and twenty-second time.Along with Porter's western short,these excellent pieces of art are proof of the first masterpieces in movie history.The full moon however seemed a bit creepy with the giant eyeball!

• Wu C

  
  Fascinating first look at early special effects and action in motion pictures.

• Tom S

  
  After you watch it, The Smashing Pumpkins "Tonight, Tonight" video is required viewing.

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