Over the past ten years, many Méliès elements have been newly rediscovered, and are presented here many on Blu-ray disc for the first time - culled from the best archival materials and using the most recent restoration technologies available. Lobster Films (based in Paris, birthplace of Méliès) scanned the best sources for each of these films, and performed an extensive digital restoration, stabilizing the images and regrading faded colors. Eric Lange supervised the entire project. The nitrate hand-colored prints and original camera negatives came from major archives and collectors around the world. We thank the EYE Film Institute, Library of Congress, Cinémathèque française, and Národní Filmovy Archiv for their help and their trust. Focusing on a selection of hand-colored films, and designed to feature Méliès' love of storytelling, this collection showcases Méliès' talent for bringing imagination and fantasy to his films. The recorded narration tracks mirror the way these turn-of-the-last-century films were originally presented. The accompanying booklet narration texts, when read aloud, transports the magic of these stories to children of all ages. This set features music scores from seven talented musicians, and English narration tracks for select titles (noted below), along with a booklet that includes optional read-along narration to select shorts in the collection. Helping to bring these films to life, is the work of the following talented musicians: Brian Benison, Eric Le Guen, Antonio Coppola, Robert Israel, Neal Kurz, Jeff Mills, Alexander Rannie and Serge Bromberg. Méliès: Fairy Tales in Color will fascinate and entertain both young and old.
C**N
Stunning and imaginative silent movie visuals
Melies stretched the imaginative level of silent films, telling fantasy stories with creative visuals beyond what anyone else had tried. Most moviemakers in 1902-1910 just set up the camera and shot the actors in front of them. Melies wanted to create fantasy. The special effects were all done with the camera - and with color added to each frame by hand. That's what you see here. Of course the level of realism doesn't approach films today. But for 1902-1910 they're stunning. The best-known film here is the 1902 "A Trip to the Moon," and I've seen it before, but not looking as good as this version with the color restored.
J**O
Beautiful restoration. Soundtrack was lacking
The restoration looks great! Just wish it had better music. Like some of the versions with more modern scores
A**R
Early cinematic gems
Hard to believe these films are so early! Greatly enhanced by hand coloring, with the most imaginative touches. While the depiction of Friday in the Robinson Crusoe film is unpleasantly racist, most of these short films are enjoyable. Besides the famous Trip to the Moon, there are a number of fairy tales. I particularly recommend The Diabolic Tenant (featuring Melies himself in the title role). The skill and wit of his special effects made me laugh out out loud.For those who have trouble understanding the heavily French-accented narration, the booklet presents the texts.Anyone with any interest in early cinema should have this compilation (if they don't already have works by Melies).
R**N
Fascinating movie.
Research.
A**Y
Amazing movies!!!
These movies about the films of George Melies are absolutely amazing. We love showing them to friends and exposing them to this little known time in history.
H**T
RARE EARLY HAND COLORED FILMS - NOT TO BE ,MISSED
This rare group of hand and stencil colored early film - should not be missed. If you've seen the Black & White versions of these films - the color adds a lot more texture and bring them to life.This is a most for anybody interested in early films and Meilies art as a film maker.
L**T
Art on your screen
When one watches these moving pictures that were colored by hand at the beginning of the 20th century, they become a quaint art form. Quite delightful. I watched first with the English narration (Satan is "satin," etc.) Then with limited knowledge of spoken French, I was able to get additional information from a second viewing with the narration in French.
D**Y
The brilliant dawn of fantasy film
To view these short fantasies with their trick photography and hand-painted frames is to be transported to another age of technology, esthetics, and worldview. This set is invaluable.
A**R
So beautiful & speedy delivery!
Arrived on time & very well packaged!Very happy with my order!- A fantastic transfer of these classic films!Such a a fantastic gift for cinephiles everywhere! - Highly recommend!
S**E
メリエスの着色版13作品を収めたコンピレーションBlu-ray/DVD
ジョルジュ・メリエス(1861-1938)は、元奇術師ということもあり、生まれて間もない映画というメディアを奇術の延長として考え、利用した。被写体を撮っていたクランク式のキャメラを一旦、止めて、被写体を移動させた後に、再度撮影することで、人物や物が、あたかも突如現れたようにしたり、あるいは消えたりしたりするトリックは、当時の観客を驚かせるに足るものだったろうし、現在の目で観ても、原初的ながら、無邪気な楽しさに溢れている。ほぼその誕生と同時に、映画が、ファンタジーを具現化するのに最適のメディアだと見抜いたメリエスの慧眼おそるべしだ。もちろん、映画草創期ということもあり、技術的には、キャメラは据えっぱなしのフルサイズ・ショットで、カット割りも場面転換以外ほとんど使われていない。しかし、背景や小道具の絵が(独特の味がある！)、奥行きや立体感を感じさせるもので、画面に空間的な拡がりを持たせていて、単調さ、窮屈さは一切ない。短い間に作られたメリエス作品の数々(生涯、500本以上の作品を作ったと言われている)は、110年以上経った現在でも、その奇想天外で、イマジネーション豊かな幻想性で、観る者の目と心を捉えて離さず、新鮮な驚きと魅力を放っているのだ。本Blu-ray/DVDは、”Méliès Fairy Tales in Color”と題し、1899年から1909年の10年の間に作られたファンタジー色の強いメリエス作品13本を集めたコンピレーション。史実あり、文学作品あり、民話あり、SFあり、ファンタジーあり…と様々な題材を扱いながらも、どの作品にもメリエスらしい茶目っ気と意匠に溢れている。しかも、手着色のプリントなので、夢幻的な味わいがより深い。収録作品は以下の通り。●英題”The Pillar of Fire” (原題“LA DANSE DU FEU”、1899、1分)●英題”Joan of Arc” (原題“JEANNE D'ARC”、1900、11分)●邦題『月世界旅行』(原題“LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE”、1902、15分)●英題”Robinson Crusoe” (原題“LES AVENTURES DE ROBINSON CRUSOE”、1902、12分)●英題”The Kingdom of Fairies” (原題“LE ROYAUME DES FÉES”、1903、17分)●英題”The Infernal Cauldron” (原題“LE CHAUDRON INFERNAL”、 1903、2分)●英題”The Impossible Voyage” (原題“VOYAGE À TRAVERS L'IMPOSSIBLE”、1904、21分)●英題”Rip's Dream” (原題“LA LÉGENDE DE RIP VAN WINCKLE”、1905、15分)●英題”The Inventor Crazybrain and His Wonderful Airship” (原題“LE DIRIGEABLE FANTASTIQUE”、 1905、3分)●英題”The Merry Frolics of Satan” (原題“LES QUAT'CENTS FARCES DU DIABLE”、1906、22分)●英題”The Witch” (原題“LA FÉE CARABOSSE ou LE POIGNARD FATAL”、1906、13分)●英題”The Diabolic Tenant” (原題“UN LOCATAIRE DIABOLIQUE”、1906、8分)●英題”Whimsical Illusions” (原題“LES ILLUSIONS FANTAISISTES”、1909、 5分)本Blu-ray/DVDは、仏Lobster FilmsとBlackhawk Filmsが、オランダEYE Film Institute、米国議会図書館、シネマテーク・フランセーズ、チェコNárodní Filmovy Archiv…など、世界中のフィルム・アーカイヴの協力を得て、現存する最良の着色版35mm素材をフィルム・スキャンし、レストア、カラコレしてHDマスターを作成。もちろん、細かいキズなど少し残ってはいるが、淡くも鮮やかな色調が繊細に再現され、ディテール表現も細やかな画質になっている。製作年を考えれば、驚異的な美麗画質だ。2.0ch ドルビー・デジタルの伴奏音楽は、ブライアン・ベニソン、エリック・ル・グエン、アントニオ・コッポラ、ロバート・イスラエル、ニール・クルツ、ジェフ・ミルズ、セルジュ・ブルームバーグによるもので、どれも作品に合っている。また、7作品には、セルジュ・ブルームバーグとファブリス・ザグリーによるナレーションも付けられている。特典には、セルジュ・ブルームバーグによる文章と貴重な写真が掲載された27頁のブックレットが同梱。本Blu-ray/DVDは、北米盤ながら、リージョン・コードはR-Free/R-All仕様なので、日本の通常のBlu-rayプレーヤーで問題なく視聴可能だ。映画ファン必携の家宝的一枚だろう。
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