Georges Melies: First Wizard of Cinema Volume Five

Georges Melies : First Wizard of Cinema Volume Five

GEORGES MELIES built the world's first movie studio in 1896 near Paris; from it cascaded fantastic magic films, dream films, historical reconstructions, imaginary journeys, melodramas, slapstick comedies -- even erotic films.

A genuine virtuoso, Melies produced and directed his films while also devising the narratives; designing the sets, costumes and props; and frequently performing the leading parts. Arranged in chronological order, this comprehensive collection makes widely available for the first time both the breadth and the depth of his work, disclosing a highly imaginative artist's discovery of the possibilities of cinema. Georges Melies was also as a master of invention and enchantment. Included are the celebrated and famous journey films.

This unprecedented set produced by Eric Lange and David Shepard, has been assembled from archival and private holdings in eight countries. A number of films are reproduced from partial or complete hand-coloured original prints, and some are presented with the original English narrations written by Melies.

The quality of these film elements is variable, of course. Many look stunning; a few are fragmentary, others are longer than earlier-known versions. Beautiful new music has been prepared by ten leading practitioners of silent film accompaniment. Georges Melies can now be seen not only as a great pioneer but also as the most accomplished filmmaker in the world during the first years of cinema.