IMDb RATING
7.4/10
6.4K
YOUR RATING
The film deals with the career of a supposedly forgotten pioneer of international cinema, Colin McKenzie, who was allegedly born in rural New Zealand in 1888.The film deals with the career of a supposedly forgotten pioneer of international cinema, Colin McKenzie, who was allegedly born in rural New Zealand in 1888.The film deals with the career of a supposedly forgotten pioneer of international cinema, Colin McKenzie, who was allegedly born in rural New Zealand in 1888.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total
Jeffrey Thomas
- Narrator
- (voice)
Johnny Morris
- Self - Film Archivist
- (as Jonathon Morris)
Beatrice Ashton
- Hannah McKenzie
- (uncredited)
Peter Corrigan
- Stan the Man
- (uncredited)
Julie Holmes
- Market girl Extra
- (uncredited)
Paul Kingdom
- Farmer
- (uncredited)
- …
Isaac D Lucas
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
Sarah McLeod
- May Belle
- (uncredited)
- …
George Port
- Undertermined role
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was originally screened as a genuine documentary to an unsuspecting New Zealand public, and was only revealed to be a hoax a few days afterwards.
- GoofsThe film implies that Colin invented the close-up around 1912, but the earliest close-ups date from around 1903, nine years earlier.
- Crazy creditsThe hoax of this film is carried on into the credits. Cast members Beatrice Ashton (Hannah McKenzie) and Sarah McLeod (Mae Belle) are credited as Research Assistants. Other bit players are credited as research assistants, production advisers, and are otherwise given phony credits.
- ConnectionsEdited from Dewars Scotch Whiskey (1897)
Featured review
This hour-long documentary details the amazing work of the nearly unknown Colin McKenzie, the first man to film movies with sound or in color. He documented the first man to ever fly (before the Wright Brothers, even!) and filmed a biblical epic on a massive set he built single handedly in the mountainous forests of New Zealand. So why haven't you heard of him? It might be because most people are biased against New Zealand film-makers, or it could be because this movie is entirely fictitious.
The very real, very brilliant director Peter Jackson fashioned this very funny and touching film for New Zealand television, and it's worth checking out for many reasons. First of all, it's technically amazing- the vintage film scenes are very convincing and well thought out. Second of all, the movie is very funny, including the hilarious antics of Stan the Man, a mean spirited prankster who is kind of like Tom Green, only much less annoying because he's silent. Finally, this movie has real heart, and gets you to care about the eccentric MacKenzie. As a bonus, this movie also features (an was co-conceived by) the guy from "Bad Taste" who threw the pine cone at Derik.
This movie is kind of hard to find, but well worth hunting down, especially if you are a fan of Jackson's work (and everyone should be).
The very real, very brilliant director Peter Jackson fashioned this very funny and touching film for New Zealand television, and it's worth checking out for many reasons. First of all, it's technically amazing- the vintage film scenes are very convincing and well thought out. Second of all, the movie is very funny, including the hilarious antics of Stan the Man, a mean spirited prankster who is kind of like Tom Green, only much less annoying because he's silent. Finally, this movie has real heart, and gets you to care about the eccentric MacKenzie. As a bonus, this movie also features (an was co-conceived by) the guy from "Bad Taste" who threw the pine cone at Derik.
This movie is kind of hard to find, but well worth hunting down, especially if you are a fan of Jackson's work (and everyone should be).
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- La verdadera historia del cine
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $650,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $26,459
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,740
- Oct 5, 1997
- Gross worldwide
- $26,459
- Runtime53 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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