IMDb >
Barbe-bleue (1901)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBarbe-bleue (1901) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
3 May 1902 (USA)
more
Plot:
A young woman becomes the eighth wife of the wealthy Bluebeard, whose first seven wives have died under mysterious circumstances. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Breillat's Bad Love becomes a Must Read, not a Must See
(From ioncinema. 30 November 2009, 1:32 AM, PST)
Some Words About "Bluebeard" with Catherine Breillat
(From The Auteurs. 31 October 2009, 7:23 AM, PDT)
(From ioncinema. 30 November 2009, 1:32 AM, PST)
Some Words About "Bluebeard" with Catherine Breillat
(From The Auteurs. 31 October 2009, 7:23 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Fairy Godmother
more (7 total)
Cast
(Credited cast)| Georges Méliès | ... | Barbe-bleue | |
| Jeanne d'Alcy | ... | Le nouvelle épouse de Barbe-bleue | |
| Bleuette Bernon | ... | La fée |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Bluebeard (USA)
more
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
9 min
Country:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This movie was playing at the infamous Iroquois Theater in Chicago the night it caught fire, costing 602 lives.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter (1982)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (7 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Barbe-bleue (1901)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Peau d'âne | Ever After | La vie et la passion de Jésus Christ | Edward Scissorhands | Le royaume des fées |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | News articles |
| IMDb Short section | IMDb France section | Add this title to MyMovies |

Film historians, like Richard Abel, sometimes split most of the films of Georges Méliès into two categories: the trick films, which are the shorter, generally one-scene films that are entirely about the attraction of the special effects, and the féeries, or fairy films, which are longer, narrative films, fantastic in their subjects, and with multiple tableaux. 'Bluebeard' is obviously one of the féeries. Characteristic of the genre, it even has a fairy that manipulates the characters, including their dreams, and the plot of the film. Later films that are often considered fairy films (or fantasy films), like 'Le Voyage dans la lune' (1902), don't involve a fairy to such an extent. Méliès began making these longer narrative films by 1899, beginning with 'Cinderella' (Cendrillon). As with 'Cinderella' and about every story film of his, Méliès uses the tableaux vivant style, dissolves to transition between the single-shot scenes and studio sets for a theatrical style of narrative. Exhibitors also tended to rely upon the extra-filmic lecturer (which was common then even for non-narrative films, but they became especially useful in aiding audiences in following complex narratives such as this one). Méliès would even provide exhibitors with the narration for the lecturers--including story details that would otherwise be uncertain or unknown. In addition, as with 'Cinderella,' 'Bluebeard' is based on a story by Charles Perrault. Other filmmakers would eventually create more cinematic story films, but at first, they would imitate Méliès' féeries, but with their own regional influences, such as in Robert W. Paul's 'The Magic Sword' (1901) and Edwin S. Porter's 'Jack and the Beanstalk' (1902). Pathé was also quick to imitate all things Méliès and to try to take over his market.
On its own, 'Bluebeard,' at ten scenes, is an elaborate production for its time when compared to the short films of often only one shot that continued to coexist with the development of story films such as 'Bluebeard.' Méliès would even continue to make both kinds of films. Additionally, although stagy, the set designs by Méliès were the best in filmdom at the time. The film's story is also very good for a Méliès' film, including two rather macabre scenes. I especially appreciate the demon, or devil, and fairy characters. They both watch over Bluebeard's wife; the demon, or devil, tempts her into danger, while the fairy protects her against harm. In the dream scene, they both control the wife's superimposed dream images above her. The fairy's control of the narrative reappears in the aforementioned 'The Magic Sword' and 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' as well as in other Méliès' films such as 'Kingdom of the Fairies' (1903)--reaffirming its centrality in the fairy films.