A Trip to the Moon (French: Le voyage dans la lune) is a 1902 French science-fiction adventure film directed by Georges Méliès. It is widely regarded as the first science fiction film and one of the most influential films in cinema history. Its impact reverberates through time, shaping the language of modern cinema and inspiring generations of filmmakers.

A Trip to the Moon: The Plot

The film’s plot, while seemingly simple, was remarkably ambitious for its era. It follows the adventures of Professor Barbenfouillis (played by Méliès himself), the president of the Astronomic Club. Determined to explore the moon, Barbenfouillis and his crew construct a rocket, launch it from Earth, and land on the lunar surface. There, they encounter strange creatures, including the iconic Man in the Moon, and eventually return home triumphantly with a captive Selenite (moon inhabitant).

The film is inspired by a wide variety of sources, from Lucian of Samosata’s A Trip to the Moon, to Jules Verne’s novels From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon, and H.G. Wells’ novel The First Men in the Moon (which in turn were both inspired by Lucian of Samosata’s A True Story), as well as contemporary scientific and astronomical discoveries.

The film was an international success on its release and was extensively pirated by other studios, especially in the United States. The film’s most iconic scene, in which the capsule lands in the eye of the Moon, has been referenced and parodied in many other works of art and popular culture. The film also influenced later filmmakers, such as Fritz Lang, Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg, who acknowledged Méliès as a pioneer of cinematic imagination and storytelling.

Georges Méliès: The Alchemist of Light

Before becoming a film magician, Georges Méliès was a stage magician. His fascination with illusion and spectacle led him to explore the nascent medium of cinema. In 1895, he witnessed a presentation of the cinématographe by the Lumière brothers—an early film camera and projector. This encounter ignited Méliès’ creative spark, and he embarked on a journey to master the art of film.

A Trip to the Moon is notable for its innovative use of special effects, such as animation, stop-motion, substitution splices, multiple exposures, and pyrotechnics. It also features elaborate sets, costumes, and props, as well as a large cast of extras and acrobats. The film was made in the overtly theatrical style for which Méliès was famous, combining fantasy, spectacle, comedy, and satire.

A Trip to the Moon: Innovations and Techniques

Méliès wasn’t content with merely recording reality; he sought to transform it. His mind churned with ideas for magical illusions that could be seamlessly woven into film narratives. Here are some of his groundbreaking contributions:

1. Special Effects: Méliès pioneered the use of camera tricks to create illusions. His accidental discovery of a camera malfunction—where people appeared to transform instantaneously—inspired him. Purposefully implementing this effect revolutionized filmmaking.
2. Double Exposure: Méliès experimented with double exposure, allowing him to superimpose images and create otherworldly effects. This technique became a staple in fantasy and science fiction films.
3. Set Design and Props: He meticulously painted sets, crafted props, and built Europe’s first movie studio—a glass-walled structure on his property near Paris. Méliès understood that visual storytelling extended beyond the camera lens.
4. Storyboards: He was the first filmmaker to use production sketches and storyboards, meticulously planning each scene.

The Iconic Image

The most enduring image from A Trip to the Moon is that of the rocket lodged in the eye of the Man in the Moon. This surreal and whimsical moment encapsulates Méliès’ imagination and his ability to transport audiences to fantastical realms.

Influence and Legacy

• Science Fiction Genre: Méliès’ film laid the foundation for science fiction cinema. Its imaginative special effects and innovative storytelling techniques paved the way for future filmmakers.
• Visual Language: We now take for granted the language of modern cinema—dissolves, superimpositions, and split screens. Méliès introduced these techniques, shaping the visual grammar of film.
• Worldwide Fame: “A Trip to the Moon” made Méliès a global sensation. Unfortunately, piratical practices, especially in the United States, denied him rightful profits.

Hugo by Martin Scorsese

Hugo is a 2011 movie directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. The movie tells the story of a young orphan boy who lives in a Paris train station and tries to repair a mysterious automaton that belonged to his father. In his quest, he meets Georges Méliès, the forgotten pioneer of cinema, who is revealed to be the owner of the toy store and the creator of the automaton. Hugo helps Méliès to rediscover his passion for filmmaking and to reconnect with his past.

The movie features Georges Méliès as a central character, played by Ben Kingsley. It depicts Méliès’ life and career, from his early days as a magician and a filmmaker, to his decline and obscurity after World War I, to his revival and recognition by the film community. Hugo also recreates some of Méliès’ most famous films, such as A Trip to the Moon, The Kingdom of the Fairies, and The Impossible Voyage, using a combination of 3D technology and traditional techniques. The movie pays homage to Méliès as a visionary artist and a master of cinematic illusion.

A Trip to the Moon’s legacy

Georges Méliès, the alchemist of light, gifted us not only the first science fiction film but also a legacy of creativity and wonder. As we explore the cosmos through cinema, we owe a debt to the visionary who once launched a rocket into the eye of the moon, forever altering the course of storytelling.

A Trip to the Moon’s importance to science fiction lies in its exploration of the themes of human curiosity, technological innovation, interplanetary travel, and extraterrestrial life. The film also reflects the social and political context of its time, such as the scientific and industrial progress of the modern era and the artistic and cultural movements of the fin de siècle. It can be seen as a pataphysical and a satire, as well as a utopian and visionary work of art.

A Trip to the Moon was considered lost for many years, until an original hand-colored print was discovered in 1993 and restored in 2011. The film is now preserved and exhibited in various film archives and museums around the world. It has also been adapted and reinterpreted in various media, such as literature, music, theater, and video games. The film remains a landmark of science fiction and a testament to the creative genius of Georges Méliès, who was inspired by Lucian of Samosata.