The Brahmin and the Butterfly (1901)
"La chrysalide et le papillon d'or" (original title)

A Brahmin comes upon a giant caterpillar, which turns into a cross between a butterfly and a girl: the Brahmin finally turns into a caterpillar.

Director:

Georges Méliès

Writer:

Georges Méliès

Stars:

Georges Méliès

Cast

Credited cast:
Georges Méliès	...	Brahmin

Storyline

A Brahmin is walking in a tropical forest, playing a melody upon a flute, when a gigantic caterpillar emerges from the undergrowth. The Brahmin seizes this and places it in a cocoon, which he hangs in the air. A beautiful butterfly emerges, and after fluttering about, becomes a lovely damsel, who puts her foot on his head and changes him into a caterpillar. A most amazing succession of transformations. One of the best subjects yet produced.

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Plot Keywords:

caterpillar | butterfly

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Genres:

Short | Fantasy

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Details

Country:

France

Release Date:

April 1903 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Brahmin and the Butterfly

Company Credits

Production Co:

Georges Méliès, Star-Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

2 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Hugo (2011)

User Reviews

Brahmin And The Butterfly, The

Brahmin And The Butterfly, The (1901)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

aka La Chrysalide et le papillon

Georges Melies plays a man who uses a flute to lure a huge worm like creature out into the open where it is captured, put into a bad and transformed into a beautiful woman with wings. This is a somewhat bland short from Melies simply because it's Melies. Had this film been done by any other director of the era then I'd probably give it more credit but considering the talent of Melies the film comes off rather simple, lazy but still someone enjoyable. There's nothing too special with the magic tricks and what we see on screen appears quite simple when compared to some of the director's other films.