IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Le voyage dans la lune (1902)
Le voyage dans la lune
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Le voyage dans la lune (1902) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 11 | slideshow) Videos
Le voyage dans la lune (1902) -- A group of astronomers go on an expedition to the moon.

Overview

User Rating:
8.3/10   5,664 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for Le voyage dans la lune on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 October 1902 (USA) more
Plot:
A group of astronomers go on an expedition to the moon. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Reviews:
Narrative Development: Magic more (78 total)

Cast

  (Cast)
Victor André ... (uncredited)
Bleuette Bernon ... Lady in the moon (uncredited)
Brunnet ... Astronomer (uncredited)
Jeanne d'Alcy ... (uncredited)
Henri Delannoy ... Captain of the rocket (uncredited)
Depierre ... (uncredited)
Farjaut ... Astronomer (uncredited)
Kelm ... Astronomer (uncredited)
Georges Méliès ... Prof. Barbenfouillis (uncredited)
more

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Trip to Mars (USA) (copyright title)
A Trip to the Moon
Voyage to the Moon
more
Runtime:
14 min (16 fps) | 8 min (25 fps)
Country:
Colour:
Colour (hand-colored) | Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:TV-G (TV rating)
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
American rock band "The Smashing Pumpkins" used this film as inspiration for their award winning music video "Tonight Tonight". The ship which sails in at the end of the music video is named Méliès after this films director Georges Méliès. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The President knocks his own hat off when he walks behind the desk. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Historia del cine: Epoca muda (1983) (V) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
23 out of 24 people found the following review useful.
Narrative Development: Magic, 2 August 2004
Author: Cineanalyst

This is the earliest film I've seen that is more than slightly entertaining, or amusing (I've seen many early films, by the way). It's better than Georges Méliès' other surviving films because it has something of a story, without the tableau vivant style becoming as boring as in his other films. Of course, wacky humour and trick shots help, but that's in his other films, too. Influenced by the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, as well as Adolphe Dennery's adaptation of those works, the story is about a gang of astronomers, who, launched from a cannon onto the Moon, encounter explosive aliens (or "Selenites").

Méliès used the stop-motion effect and arising smoke for explosive characters in many of his films--same with superimpositions, animated miniatures and placing a fish tank in front of the camera. Additionally, his set designs were the best of the day. I easily forget it's all done within a cramped studio. Moving props are in many of his films, too, but this is one of the few that I've seen where the prop is pulled towards the camera, creating the famous rocket kissing the moon's eye gag. The following shot is a temporal replay of that action from a different perspective. It works here, but Edwin S. Porter would make the mistake of adopting the technique for 'Life of an American Fireman,' which was reedited later, leading many to believe it was a landmark in narrative editing. The "30 tableaux," as Méliès called it, is linked by dissolves.

Méliès made it known that his goal was to push cinéma towards resembling theatre. The only benefit of that goal was that it resulted in longer films, making one-reel the standard length. Given this, it's rather odd that Méliès was one of the first filmmakers to achieve effects specific to film (i.e. incapable of being produced in theatre, or other artistic media). I'm of course referring to trick-shots.

Numerous early shorts are blatant imitations of Méliès' films, but they usually weren't as funny or imaginative. 'Voyage to the Moon' represents the height of his career; his work would soon diminish under the hectic schedule set by the Motion Picture Patents Company, and he would eventually end up burning his own films. Watch Jacques Meny's documentary 'La Magie Méliès' (1997) for a good telling of his life and films.

(Note: This is one of four films that I've commented on because they're landmarks of early narrative development in film history. The others are 'As Seen Through a Telescope,' 'The Great Train Robbery' and 'Rescued by Rover.')

Was the above review useful to you?
more (78 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Le voyage dans la lune (1902)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Smashing Pumpkins Video wes_hockey
psychedelic fmandosa
First Movie broadwaygirl1989
A Guy, A Girl and 1,001 Movies EJDeGrechie
trip to the moon vs great train robbery kill_westlife123
Similar Movie- capsule goes into mouth de_niro_2001
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
First Men in the Moon Stardust Alice in Wonderland Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi King Kong
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Short section IMDb France section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.