La magie Méliès

If there's anyone who deserves the title, Father of Cinema, it's Georges Melies. He's responsible for putting fantasy on screen through animation, special effects, background drawings, and color tinting. He's even a pioneer of commercials and product placements! I saw this documentary, along with a Melies' fifteen shorts compilation called Melies' Magic Show, on an Arte Video DVD collection called Melies the Magician. His works from the late 19th century to the first decade of the 20th can still make you marvel at the craftsmanship of a theatrical magician conquering cinema. I wanted to see more of the color-tinted clips that weren't showcased on Melies' Magic Show as well as more of the animated backgrounds that astounded me with their innovations. There's also an interesting sidelight of Melies' brother Gaston's dealings with the Edison Trust Company in the U. S. that contributed to Georges decline. While a little long, The Magic of Melies tells you all you would want to know about the pioneering filmmaker's life and work. I most recommend you seek this one out!