Thoughts on: A Trip to the Moon (Georges Méliès ,1902)

 A Trip to the Moon (Georges Méliès ,1902)

Similarly to the film “Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat”, A Trip to the moon captures a monumental moment in history through existing as an early representation of the essence of science fiction: ideas tied to science intermingled with sparks of fantasy and imagination. By entirely eliminating sound from the black and white film, the viewer’s sense of sight is heightened when experiencing the film as excitement can solely be brought forth through images and motion. For instance, aspects such as the frantic movements of the actors as they scramble to board the aircraft and the special effects such as the stars are accentuated through the absence of sound. Furthermore, unlike “Arrival of a Train at la Ciotat” which featured a still camera focused on one setting, A Trip to the moon features multiple settings that chronicle the journey to the moon and back. In terms of the effort expended on the film, I have a great appreciation for the work which was invested in order to produce a film with multiple scenes, cuts, movement and effects in 1902. However, sound whether natural, human made or musical is a vital part of viewing a piece of media for me as a consumer. Without sound I am left without a layer of immersion. Therefore while I did not particularly enjoy the experience of watching A Trip to the Moon, I have immense respect for Georges Méliès for creating an iconic work of science fiction in 1902.