Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Flash, Full length, Full Screen, Original recording remastered, Restored, NTSC
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 2
• Studio: A2ZCDS.com
• DVD Release Date: October 3, 2005
• Run Time: 136 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B000ARGHDM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,374 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Studio

Witness the birth of motion pictures in this fabulous collection of 60 films produced by the Thomas Edison Company in 1901 and 1902 in this historic 2-DVD set from a2zcds.com. The invention of a mobile motion picture camera at the turn of the 20th century opened the doors to a large variety of films including comic skits and films relying on trick effects in the style of French filmmaker Georges Méliès. In 1900, Edison hired Edwin S. Porter as chief camera operator for "Black Marie", the first ever film studio. This move paid rich dividends and pretty soon the studios were rolling out fairy tales and other short narratives. Jack and the Beanstalk and Life of the American Firemen were the earliest features to be filmed by the Edison Company. This was in 1902 - a year which is remembered by movie buffs as the beginning of a new era in the field of entertainment. Other films made during this period consisted of vaudeville acts, comedies, and actualities. A special series of films was made in 1901 of the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, and of events surrounding President McKinley's assassination, which occurred there, and the subsequent funeral ceremonies. This 2-DVD set from a2zcds.com features some of the best examples of films produced by the Edison Company in 1901 and 1902. In 1901 and 1902, the Edison Company was a busy place. Scores of short films rolled out of its studio. These included several comedies, trick films and few short narratives as well. This 2-DVD set contains the best of these historic clips.

Product Description

The 60 thrilling clips that make up this fascinating DVD set from a2zcds.com serve many purposes. Firstly, they are a tribute to the genius and persistence of the inimitable inventor Thomas Alva Edison. This enterprising man was difficult to please and set pretty stiff standards both for himself and for those on his payroll. The results of his vision and entrepreneurial acumen are evident in the 1000+ patents that bear his name. Edison took entertainment to a new level in America. Having realized that the first motion picture clips - sans story lines - soon lost their magical influence on audiences, Edison hired the best talent available and set about filming short stories and documenting historic events. Some of these earliest motion pictures are a part of this set.

Secondly, these clips record some of the most unforgettable moments in America’s history from the turn of the last century. Had it not been for Edison’s busy camera crew, events such as President McKinley's funeral would have remained a textual record in history books. Vivid memories of other events such as the biggest-ever exposition in Buffalo, New York, are also captured in a charming manner.

Thirdly, these clips record lifestyles and philosophies of Americans at the beginning of the 20th century. You learn about what people thought as being funny and what was significant enough to be filmed.

It would indeed have been unfortunate if such historic and invaluable vintage films were allowed to languish in some neglected corner of an archive. A2ZCDS has done the world a huge service by preserving these clips on DVD and placing them within reach of everybody.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Edison Footage, May 23, 2006

By 

Deacon (America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1901-02 (2-DVD Set) (DVD)

I've seen quite a bit of the Edison footage by now and sort of wish that someone would package all of it together, but if wishes were fishes, fishes would fly, so I'll be content with what I can get. This package has clips of a slightly better quality than others I have ordered, though that is relative, since the films are about 100 years old and show it. Still, the point of buying these films is to see what people did with the film medium during its early years and how Edison tried to sell the idea of moving pictures to a public that did not know what to expect. Many of these clips are very, very funny. Sometimes on purpose. Sometimes not.