Movies and TV shows that Revolutionized special effects
These are the movies that originated or revolutionized effects or methods that had not been used effectively before.
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- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsVictor AndréBleuette BernonA group of astronomers go on an expedition to the Moon.Most successful early film and was innovative for its time.
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaStarsMadame MoreauMonsieur MoreauThe story of Jesus Christ from the proclamation of his Nativity to his crucifixion. Impressive scenes and dynamism of the actors prelude to the Italian colossal movies of the silent period.Earliest know color short
- Sculptor dreams of fantastic dream in which the genie of the lamp appears to him .First clay animation short
- StarsKing George VQueen MaryThis early color film records the Indian celebrations relating to the coronation of King George V.First color film (documentary)
- DirectorF. Martin ThorntonStarsFrank EsmondStella St. AudrieWellington BriggsA crooked lawyer schemes to dispossess the heir to a baronetcy.First color fiction film
- DirectorCharles Taze RussellThe Photo-Drama of Creation, is a four-part Christian film produced by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The film presents the Bible's account of God's plan from the creation of the earth through to the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ.First major film to incorporate sound.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLillian GishMae MarshHenry B. WalthallThe Stoneman family finds its friendship with the Camerons affected by the Civil War, both fighting in opposite armies. The development of the war in their lives plays through to Lincoln's assassination and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan.While mostly known for its racist theme, it was revolutionary for the time.
- DirectorNat G. DeverichHarry K. FairallStarsElliott SparlingBarbara BedfordNoah BeeryBecause of his financial trouble, Don Almeda (Noah Beery) promises his daughter, Maria (Barbara Bedford), to Don Alvarez (Albert Prisco). But Maria does not love Don Alvarez, and, in fact, she falls in love with Terry O'Neil (Elliott Sparling), a stranger who has been wounded by robbers associated with Alvarez. O'Neil takes Alvarez's place at a masked ball. Alvarez, in turn, robs the old Padre (John Herdman) of some pearls and stabs him to deal with O'Neil's knife. He then accuses O'Neil of the murder and tries to shoot him, but wounds Maria instead, because she has thrown herself in front of him. Maria recovers, and, after proving that Alvarez is a thief and a killer, weds O'Neil.First 3D film
- DirectorAlan CroslandStarsAl JolsonMay McAvoyWarner OlandThe son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of becoming a jazz singer.First feature length "Talkie"
- DirectorBurt GillettStarsClarence NashEsther CampbellPinto ColvigA jealous stump threatens two trees that are in love by starting a forest fire. When the rain comes and puts out the fire the forest revives and celebrates the wedding.The first film to use the three color technicolor process.
- DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsMiriam HopkinsFrances DeeCedric HardwickeAgainst the backdrop of Napoleon's Waterloo campaign, an ambitious woman from a family of entertainers begins a destructive climb up the social ladder.First live action three layer technicolor film
- DirectorWilliam CottrellDavid HandWilfred JacksonStarsAdriana CaselottiHarry StockwellLucille La VerneExiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.The first full length color movie (animated) and the first full length animated film. Disney made a big risk in making the film.
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.One of the first full length color movie (live action) however it is book ended in Black and White. Revolutionized a number of special effects.
- DirectorVictor FlemingGeorge CukorSam WoodStarsClark GableVivien LeighThomas MitchellA sheltered and manipulative Southern belle and a roguish profiteer face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.One of the first full length color movie (live action) that is entirely in color, came out a few months after the Wizard of Oz. The longest film up to that point (almost 4 hours)
- DirectorFred M. WilcoxStarsWalter PidgeonAnne FrancisLeslie NielsenA starship crew in the 23rd century goes to investigate the silence of a distant planet's colony, only to find just two survivors, a powerful robot, and the deadly secret of a lost civilization.Used many new techniques
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsCharlton HestonYul BrynnerAnne BaxterMoses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.Used a number of techniques to increase the spectacle
- DirectorRichard T. HeffronStarsPeter FondaBlythe DannerArthur HillUpon uncovering the dirty secret of futuristic theme-park Futureworld, an ex-employee is killed after he tips off two other reporters who decide to do an undercover investigation.First film to incorporate CGI.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.ILM had to create a bunch of new effects
- CreatorJ. Michael StraczynskiStarsMira FurlanRichard BiggsStephen FurstIn the mid 23rd century, the Earth Alliance space station Babylon 5, located in neutral territory, is a major focal point for political intrigue, racial tensions and various wars over the course of five years.First TV show to make extensive use of CGI
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.The effects used in this movie (ie inserting him into historic footage) had not been used effectively before then.
- DirectorJohn LasseterStarsTom HanksTim AllenDon RicklesA cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's bedroom.First full length fully CGI animated movie
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittCate BlanchettTilda SwintonTells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with consequences.In the same way Forrest Gump utilized effects that hadn't been used as successfully before.