Bluebeard (1901)
"Barbe-bleue" (original title)

A young woman becomes the eighth wife of the wealthy Bluebeard, whose first seven wives have died under mysterious circumstances.

Director:

Georges Méliès

Writers:

Georges Méliès (adaptation), Charles Perrault (fairy tale)

Stars:

Georges Méliès, Jeanne d'Alcy, Bleuette Bernon

Cast

Cast overview:
Georges Méliès	...	Barbe-bleue
Jeanne d'Alcy	...	Le nouvelle épouse de Barbe-bleue
Bleuette Bernon	...	La fée

Storyline

Lord Bluebeard is looking for a woman to become his eighth wife, as his first seven wives have all passed away. Many noble families bring their daughters to meet him, but none of the young women want to marry him. Bluebeard's great wealth, however, persuades one father to give his daughter's hand to him. She reluctantly marries him, and after a lavish wedding feast she begins her new life in his castle. One day as Bluebeard is going away on a journey, he warns his wife never to go into a certain room. When her curiosity finally gets the best of her, she realizes that she has placed herself in great danger.

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Plot Keywords:

curiosity | dragged down stairs | door key | blood stain | stain | 

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Genres:

Short | Fantasy | Horror

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Details

Country:

France

Release Date:

3 May 1902 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bluebeard

Company Credits

Production Co:

Star-Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

9 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Bluebeard (1944)

User Reviews

Méliès was a genius without equal

For 1901, this is a completely extraordinary film. No other film director or producer of the time could even come close to equaling the complexity and watchability of his films. Think about it--in 1901 when this film was made, almost all films were only about a minute long (more or less) and almost all of them were just ordinary films featuring ordinary activities (such as babies crying, waterfalls or street scenes). There was absolutely no writing, no plot and no acting as we came to know it. Yet, at the same time we have films like BLUEBEARD that have wonderful sets (kind of kitchy compared to today--I really think they are cute and charming), acting and scripts! Plus, after about the first half of this film, you'll see the absolute best trick cinematography of the era!! When the little imp jumps in and out of the book, the horrific scene of the seven dead wives hanging in the basement and the amazing not to be missed final scene you realize that for his time, Méliès was an absolute genius and tremendous innovator. The only negative at all about this film was the lack of inter-title cards--something that you can't blame him for since they hadn't yet come into vogue. Brilliant and every bit as wonderful as his 1902 breakout film Le Voyage dans le Lune.

If you want to see this film online, go to Google and type in "Méliès" and then click the video button for a long list of his films that are viewable without special software.