Le Château Hanté (1897) aka The Devil's Castle

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre:  Horror
Length: 1 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Wow having just watched Le manoir du diable [The Haunted Castle] (which came out a year earlier) I can say that they are nearly the same film, only this one is the lesser of the two. This version is 1/3 the length, and colorized which actually detracts from the visuals in the case I think, it's not awful but a bit blurred. Mephistopheles is back at it, zapping supernatural beings (one of which is a skeleton) and watching them transform. It's a bit confusing but I guess it's rather basic so I'll just go with what I think it is. It's kinda neat, but honestly I'd say watch the other one instead or at least first.

Availabilty:  On DVD

Le Manoir Du Diable (1896) aka The House Of The Devil

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès, Jeanne d'Alcy
Genre: Horror, Short, Comedy
Length: 3 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Sort of an odd little film that is maybe less preserved than expected, but you can still see what's happening (perhaps it was just the copy I watched). Mephistopheles flies in as a bat (he's a vampire), then he transforms into a human. He manages to conjure up various supernatural creatures that seem to bother or surprise him. It's a bit herky jerky, but I imagine these effects were quite ahead of their time. Georges Méliès has created an interesting scenario once again at least, though it seems a little more would have went a long way. It is considered to be an early horror film although comedy would also fit here I think. Either way it's worth a viewing for early cinema fans.

Availability:  On DVD

Un Nuit Terribles (1896) aka A Terrible Night

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Short
Length: 1 minute
Banned: Nope

Review:
Kind of a cute little one minute early film about a man who is trying to catch a good night's sleep. He snuffs out his candle and suddenly a giant spider comes out to annoy him. This is an insanely early film and honestly it's quite well preserved, I was impressed. The effects are also a tad better than I was expecting, although hardly amazing. This was my first exposure to Georges Méliès's work, but it certainly won't be my last. A fun little flick that should amuse early film fans with a touch of comedy.

Availability:  On DVD