THE LATEST AND MOST GORGEOUS SPECTACLE IN MOVING PICTURES

Starring: Georges Méliès, Fernande Albany, Jehanne d'Alcy, May de Lavergne

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"A geographic society, the Institute of Incoherent Geography, plans to make a world tour in such a way as to "surpass in conception and invention all previous expeditions undertaken by the learned world." - Director Méliès, about the film in the catalog of the Star Film Company's New York branch.

Why watch this? This early sci-fi film brought awe and space exploration to light in a burgeoning visual art form.

Plot Summary: A group of adventurers from the Institute of Incoherent Geography embarks on an ambitious trip around the world, utilizing various modes of transport including trains, automobiles, and balloons. Their journey, led by engineer Crazyloff, takes them to unexpected and fantastical places, encountering numerous comical mishaps along the way. Ultimately, they find themselves in an incredible and challenging environment, requiring resourcefulness to escape before finally returning home to a triumphant celebration.

Dad's Preview: As pioneering film director Georges Méliès wrapped up A Trip to the Moon (1902), he ventured again to adventure with this similar moving picture about explorers braving new heights. It's very tongue and cheek with no harm befalling the journey's crew and guests. They board a train that is carried to space by helium balloons. They crash, they are frozen solid, and they're thawed by flames. It's an incredible technical feat for 1904. That said, audiences were not that different than today - they wanted to see excitement and laugh at the same time. This absolutely gives them a very entertaining film to enjoy.

Star Film Company