Georges Melies [Paperback]

Elizabeth Ezra (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 071905396X | ISBN-13: 978-0719053962 | Publication Date: September 2, 2000

Before the turn of the 20th century, before the nickelodeon, even before the first cinemas, George Méliès began making movies. In addition to the fairy tales and fantasies for which he is best known, he made films in every genre from newsreels and commercial advertisements to science fiction and pornography. This major study of Méliès's films interprets his work using the tools of modern film analysis and explores several myths about Méliès's role in film history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"By demonstrating the richness and coherence of this auteur's works, Ezra proves that even 'primitive' films can be illuminated by sensibly applied contemporary theory. This critical explication gives Ezra's study the edge..." -- Choice

About the Author

Elizabeth Ezra teaches in the French Department at the University of Stirling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Manchester University Press (September 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071905396X
• ISBN-13: 978-0719053962
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Melies was more than a cinema magician, October 20, 2001

By 

Bruce Calvert "silent movie collector" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: George Melies (French Film Directors) (Hardcover)

Georges Melies was a professional magician who began making "trick" films in the late 1800's. He is most famous for A TRIP TO THE MOON (1902). Elizabeth Ezra's book tries to burst three myths about Melies. 1. Melies only made "fairy" films and childlike fantasies. 2. Melies' style was just theatrical, with little cinematic effects. 3. Melies' films lack narrative structure and can't be analyzed using film theory. She does a good job showing how these myths aren't always true. However, the book sometimes reads more like a graduate thesis. While she does a good job of analyzing some of Melies more prominent films, she sometimes over-analyzes the films. The book has a short history of Melies' life, and has a filmography of all of his existing films. This book is a good introduction to Melies for film students, but serious silent film buffs will be disappointed that the book does not cover Melies career in more detail.