Task 1

A Trip to the Moon – George Melies (1902) 



Brief Overview of the short film 
A Trip to the Moon is a 1902 French space exploration silent film directed by Georges Méliès. Inspired by a wide variety of sources, including Jules Verne's novels From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon, the film follows a group of astronomers who travel to the Moon in a cannon-propelled capsule, explore the Moon's surface, escape from an underground group of Selenites (lunar inhabitants), and return to Earth with a captive Selenite. It features an ensemble cast of French theatrical performers, led by Méliès himself in the main role of Professor Barbenfouillis, and is filmed in the overtly theatrical style for which Méliès became famous. 

Key features of the film 
The budget, certificate and genres of the short film 
Budget = FR 30,000 (estimated) which roughly equates to £22500  
The certificate the film was given was U – suitable for all audiences. 
The genres of the film were: short, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi.  

Filming minor details 
Country = France 
Language = French 
Release date = 1st September 1902 
Filming locations = Méliès Studios, Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, France  

Did you know? 
Part of the movie Hugo (2011) is a largely fictionalized story of the making of this short film. 
When the umbrella is growing in the mushroom garden, you can see the edge of the first Selenite, off camera to the right, waiting for his cue to enter the scene. May not be visible in all versions of the film. 
The short film was referenced in Broken Age (2014)  

Nobody was credited for this film. Not even the director, main characters or any actors!  


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