ESSAY, A TRIP TO THE MOON

A trip to the Moon is a French film in black and white which was done in France in 1902. It is a short, in fact, the length of this film is about fourteen minutes and twelve seconds. Despite it hasn't got any sound, not even any voice, this film is acted in a very simple and attractive way which makes you understand everything that is happening. Some actors of this motion picture are Victor André, as an Astronomer, as well as Delpierre,Kelm,Brunnet, Frjaux... Also, there is Henri Delannoy (as the Captain of the Rocket), Jehanne d'Alcy (as a secretary/Star/Rocket Attendant)... Besides, Georges Méliès is not only the director of this movie, but also editor, the moon and Prof. Barbenfouillis.

The theme of this film is basically a trip to the moon which the Professor propose. The story starts with all the astronomers and the professor in a class. Then, Mr. Barbenfouillis tell them what he has on his mind to go to the moon. There is a wide range of expressions after his plan. Fortunately, a group is chosen to go on the trip, so that, with the help of the secretary and around 5 more women, they make a capsule and go to the moon. There, they come across with some mysterious being. Finally they do their best to come back to the Earth.

The director creates a captivating conflict in more than in one occasion. For example, when he tell in the class what he has on his mind to make the trip to the moon, at first,  there is an astronomer that is against the plan. Because of it, although there is no voice, we are able to watch and imagine in our minds what a commotion is in that moment there, everybody stands and starts to make hilarious movements of exasperation. In addition, the scenes I find more accurates are when they start fighting with the mysterious beings (they kill them in a very funny way with an umbrella), when they are in the moon and appear stars with the faces of the women and some men who had appeared before...

To sum up, I think that this film is done in a very creative and imaginative way and very well adapted for the year it was made. It is said it is not only the most important cinematography creation of Georges Méliès, but also first science fiction film. This movie has taught me that you can appeal and entertain people with very simple backgrounds and striking clothes. This film may is in the list, because as I said before, is the first science fiction film.


STORY PATTERN

1.  YOU: The astronomers are in a class thinking new plans.
2. NEED: The professor wants to go to the moon, and he explains his plan
3. GO: They go to the moon in a capsule they made with help of more people.
4. SEARCH: All of them come across with "selenitas"
5. FIND: They find a way to kill them (selenitas), which is an umbrella.
6. TAKE: They take advantage of tehir method to kill them and go to the capsule again.
7. RETURN: They set off as faster as they can, and come back to the Earth
8. CHANGE: Someone has already  been in the moon