Quick List: Dawn of the Movies 1895: Part 1: The Lumière Brothers' Pioneering Film Festival on December 28th, 1895
This is the ultimate Quick List for movie fans to complete. First off, these are basically the first theatrical motion pictures ever released to a paying audience. It is a very important moment in film history. It was a history-making night at the festival. Also, all ten of these films are less than a minute each. Add in the 21 minute documentary and you can knock this list out in 45 minutes (I added another ten minutes for the time spent searching for these on YouTube, which they are all available on).
This is the history-making, Auguste & Louis Lumière's debut film festival, shown to a paying audience, on December 28th, 1895 at Salon Indien du Grand Café in Paris. Most film historians place this as the day the Movies were born. This is the order the films were presented that night.
My Rating System compared to IMDB:
10 IMDB = A+ (9.7 - 10.0) - Perfect
9 IMDB = A, A- (8.9 - 9.6) - Excellent
8 IMDB = B+, B, B- (7.7 - 8.8) - Very Good
7 IMDB = C+, C, C- (6.5 - 7.6) - Strong
6 IMDB = D+, D, D- (5.3 - 6.4) - Fair/Good
5 IMDB = E+, E, E- (4.1 - 5.2) - Worse than a D, Better than an F (E for Effort)
4 IMDB = F+, F, F- (3.1 - 4.0) - Fails, but still recommend seeing these films, because you have to see these films to believe them.
3 IMDB = UNWATCHABLES = 3 (2.1 - 3.0) = You shouldn't waste your time watching these films, but they are not the Worst Movies Ever Made. I still dare you to watch these.
1-2 IMDB = The Worst Movies Ever Made = 1 (0.1 - 1.0), 2 (1.1 - 2.0)
This is the history-making, Auguste & Louis Lumière's debut film festival, shown to a paying audience, on December 28th, 1895 at Salon Indien du Grand Café in Paris. Most film historians place this as the day the Movies were born. This is the order the films were presented that night.
My Rating System compared to IMDB:
10 IMDB = A+ (9.7 - 10.0) - Perfect
9 IMDB = A, A- (8.9 - 9.6) - Excellent
8 IMDB = B+, B, B- (7.7 - 8.8) - Very Good
7 IMDB = C+, C, C- (6.5 - 7.6) - Strong
6 IMDB = D+, D, D- (5.3 - 6.4) - Fair/Good
5 IMDB = E+, E, E- (4.1 - 5.2) - Worse than a D, Better than an F (E for Effort)
4 IMDB = F+, F, F- (3.1 - 4.0) - Fails, but still recommend seeing these films, because you have to see these films to believe them.
3 IMDB = UNWATCHABLES = 3 (2.1 - 3.0) = You shouldn't waste your time watching these films, but they are not the Worst Movies Ever Made. I still dare you to watch these.
1-2 IMDB = The Worst Movies Ever Made = 1 (0.1 - 1.0), 2 (1.1 - 2.0)
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- A historical overview of the development of motion pictures produced by the U.S. Navy.In the documentary, Origins of the Motion Picture (1955), the film opens up, with a title card saying, "The United States Army Presents", with the copyright of 1956. Then, another card says, "The United States Navy Presents". The film also has support from the George Eastman Company and the Edison Foundation. I was able to view Origins of the Motion Picture (1955), on YouTube. The best part about this film, is knowing it was made in the mid-1950s, so it chronicles, what happened during the birth of cinema, with a perspective, only 55-60 years old. It felt like the source material and the facts, were closer to the time-periods explored. It covers a long history, beginning with the cave-paintings and the film, brings us to the birth of the motion picture industry in the late 1800s. Origins of the Motion Picture (1955), utilizes the great documentary style seen in the old Movie-tone News reels or from the folks at the Mouse House. Enjoy this exploration of film. It is quite interesting and full of information.
8.2 (B MyGrade) = 8 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreWorkers leaving the Lumière factory for lunch in Lyon, France in 1895; a place of great photographic innovation and one of the birth places of cinema.Lumiere Cat. #91.1
This film is considered as being, the very first, commercially exhibited film in motion picture history. There were some private screenings of experimental processes, as far back as 1888, but this was the first film footage shown to a paying crowd, thus the art of film was born and so was the film industry. Anything before this, could be considered home movies or experimentational growing pains, that were needed, to get us to this starting point, when film became a medium. The Pioneering Era begins here, as the motion pictures (moving pictures/the movies), are born. While watching this film, La sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon (1895), all I could think about was having the gift of, seeing people, animals and things, captured on film, as if I was looking out the window of a time machine. It is the opinion of most, if not all, as being the first movie ever exhibited. In my book, of course, it deserves an A+, because it truly is the best film ever made to this point in film history. Plus, its only a minute long, so give it an A+. You have to.
Update: September, 2023 - It turns out, that there are three versions of this film. The Lumiere brothers, would reshoot their films, a couple of times, in order to, improve upon them. They would than release those different versions, over the next year or two. In this case, with Leaving the Factory (1895), the first version was released at this festival. This practice by the brothers showed, that right off the bat, pioneering filmmakers, believed in the multiple takes system and the idea of reshoots. The problem for film fans, was the different versions were released all over the world, so they got lost to time, were mixed up and are hard to find now. I do believe all three versions of this film can be found online, but sometimes, that luck doesn't always pan-out for all the Lumiere brother's films.
9.9 (A+ MyGrade) = 10 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreStarsFrançois ClercBenoît DuvalAn impudent child plays a prank on a gardener innocently watering his plants.Lumiere Cat. #99.1
This film is considered as being the second film ever exhibited to a paying audience. It plays a major role in film history, as being the first movie, that has a fictionalized plot. It also is the first comedy ever shown in a movie theater setting. You can easily find this film with many of the other Lumiere films easily on YouTube these days. Being as they are almost 130 years old, they are part of the public domain and easily can be found. In the 21st century, this has allowed film fans and aspiring filmmakers to take this film and remaster it in color, 4K, 50fps, whatever you want. Either way, the film is actually pretty good, being only 46 seconds long. The comedy revolves around an old trick, but still garners an emotional chuckle from you when you see it. Of course, it does deserve an A+, because it is one of the first movies ever. The film is also known as the Gardener (1895), or L'Arroseur Arrosé (1895).
9.9 (A+ MyGrade) = 10 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAuguste LumièreP.J.C. JanssenThe photographers who need to participate in the congress of Lyon get off a boat in Neuville-sur-Saône, dividing to the right and left.Lumiere Cat. #00
This film, along with nine other films, were shown at a Paris, mini-film festival, by pioneering filmmakers, the Lumiere brothers, in December of 1895. Most film historians place this date as the start of the film industry. The third movie ever shown to a paying audience, actually says a lot in its short 37 second runtime. The photographers disembark off of a passenger ferry in Neuville-sur-Saône, Rhône, France. Try to remember these guys aren't politicians, but photographers, assembling for a big meeting. The backdrop view of the bridge reminded me of various times in my life when I took a boat trip near a bridge that size. It created some nostalgia for me, which is the prime point of enjoying pioneering films from the silent era. Getting off a boat, feeling the waves underneath, taking in the fresh outside air, speaks volumes here. There are various restorations I found on YouTube for this film, that are really good. If you search you can find perfect versions of this movie.
I thought it was interesting seeing the photographers, tipping their hats to the film cameraman. It showed a respect between the photographers and the cinematographer himself. Being in the 21st century now and seeing it from this point of view, the first thing you think about is, a lot of these guys might lose their jobs someday to this new medium called moving pictures. They were having so much fun, assembling for their photography meeting, they didn't realize they were looking into their future, through the film camera lens of this new medium. Photography had been around for almost 60 years by this point and it begs to wonder if they felt threatened by the new technology that was looking them in the eye. The men coming off the boat created an atmosphere of foreshadowing. It was a preview of an era of innovations, that was coming to the world soon.
9.9 (A+ MyGrade) = 10 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreA man tries to get on a horse , but he climbs to one side and falls from the other, until he manages to stay in balance.Lumiere Cat. #00
AKA: La Voltige (1895)
This film, along with nine other films, were shown at a Paris, mini-film festival, by pioneering filmmakers, the Lumiere brothers, in December of 1895. Horse Trick Riders (1895) is the fourth movie, ever shown to a paying audience. It is the first ever example of stunt work in film too. It also was the first animal trick act ever shown to a paying audience. It features the first early examples of acrobatic artists doing their thing, in this case. jumping onto a horse. It utilizes the acrobatic antics for the sake of comedy. It is a cool film to see, because of its early position in film history, but the Lumiere's really should have found better stunt men. These guys looked, kind-of, amateurish. This was so early in film history that the idea of multiple takes wasn't a thing yet. Still, for less than a minute its no worse than a YouTube video.
8.1 (B MyGrade) = 8 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAndrée LumièreAuguste LumièreA baby held by his father dips his little hands into a water jug and he can' t catch the goldfish .Lumiere Cat. #69
This film, along with nine other films, was shown at a Paris, mini-film festival, by pioneering filmmakers, the Lumiere brothers, in December of 1895. This fifth movie, ever shown to a paying audience, is actually a really great ine to see. You immediately start trying to figure out what is going on in the scene. All I could think of is, "dude, don't put that 130 year old baby in that vase". This is totally the 1895 version of a TikTok video. It features Auguste Lumiere having fun with his baby, as they play with a vase full of goldfish. It is a fitting abstract with an infant being showcased in a film, during the infancy of motion pictures. It does deserve an A+, since it was one of the first.
9.9 (A+ MyGrade) = 10 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreTwo blacksmiths work while the vapors rise in the air. Later, another man arrives and offers a drink.Lumiere Cat. #51
This film, along with nine other films, was shown at a Paris, mini-film festival, by pioneering filmmakers, the Lumiere brothers, in December of 1895. The sixth movie ever shown to a paying audience, probably had more questions than answers, but it stimulated conversation in the audience, especially in 1895. What are these guys doing? What are they making? The steam rising, as the man dunks the metal into the barrel of water, gives some temperature to the scene, thus making it more tangible. I was wondering how people in 1895 were feeling when they saw the steam rise from the barrels of water. Did they subconsciously feel the heat, while sitting in the theater. This is probably the first time they ever saw images up on a screen or wall. Who knows what they thought. They may have even thought of it, as being a parlor trick. That is the tangibility this film emits. If you put yourself into a 1895 frame of mind, you might feel the steam too.
8.7 (B+ MyGrade) = 8 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAuguste LumièreMrs. Auguste LumiereAndrée LumièreAs part of a maiden public film screening at the Salon Indien, on December 28, in Paris, Auguste Lumière pivots the centre of attention around his baby daughter, as he tries to feed her from a spoon.Lumiere Cat. #88
This film, along with nine other films, was shown at a Paris, mini-film festival, by pioneering filmmakers, the Lumiere brothers, in December of 1895. The seventh film ever shown to a paying audience, ends up being the first sequel too, when August Lumiere brings his kid back out for lunch time with the wife. They are both the main subjects in an earlier Lumiere film, shown about two minutes before this one, Fishing For Goldfish (1895). Watching this during a mini-festival in 1895 probably didn't register as a sequel. but looking back at it 130 years later, it is a prime, early example of a sequel. The baby must have tested well during all the test screenings. This is what is so cool watching films from the pioneering era of film.
7.8 (B- MyGrade) = 8 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreShort depicting a group of men holding a blanket. Another man then starts running and jumps over and on the blanket several times.Lumiere Cat. #00
This film, along with nine other films, was shown at a Paris, mini-film festival, by pioneering filmmakers, the Lumiere brothers, in December of 1895. Those crazy, whacky acrobats from Lumiere's earlier film, Horse Trick Riders (1895), shown during the mini-festival, about four minutes before this film, return here for the 1895 version of a sequel, in Jumping the Blanket (1895). Four guys hold onto a blanket and a fifth guy... jumps over it. Home movies for paying customers in the eighth movie ever shown to an audience for a fee. One of the first ever films needing a better acrobat instructor. It looks more like an embarrassing home movie with the drunk neighbors, but it was one of the first motion pictures ever made and that is saying something.
6.7 (C- MyGrade) = 7 IMDB
Be aware, these two films get mixed up. Saut à la couverte (1896), is a different movie. - DirectorLouis LumièreShort that depicts a moment at the busy Cordeliers' Square in Lyon. It is a busy thoroughfare, with pedestrians walking in front of the buildings and crossing the boulevard between horse-drawn vehicles. A double-decker bus passes in front.Lumiere Cat. #128
Some of the film restorations on these old movies you find, either on YouTube or on a Blu-Ray release, are fantastic. I found a really nice one on YouTube of this film. Along with nine other films, Cordeliers' Square in Lyon (1895), was shown at a Paris, mini-film festival, by pioneering filmmakers, the Lumiere brothers, in December of 1895. In this installment, we are in Lyon, France, on a bright sunny day at a busy town square. Huge buildings and many cool horse drawn carriages cover the scene. Like all of these pre-1900 films, they are shot with a single camera. Its an incredible view coming from the ninth film ever shown to a paying audience. It almost looks like it could be, the first outdoor movie set in film history, copied by studios ever since. This is a good one. It's brightness creates a happy mood. The dawn of theatrical motion pictures.
9.7 (A+ MyGrade) = 10 IMDB - DirectorLouis LumièreSeveral little boys run along a pier, then jump into the ocean.Lumiere Cat. #11
The tenth film the Lumiere brothers showed at their mini-film festival screening, shown in Paris, in December of 1895, was part of a group of ten films. This was the last film shown. To some, this is the tenth film ever shown with a paid admission. There may be some historians that dispute that assessment. Historical records weren't that great and some dates were lost to time. All of this did happen in 1895, but certain dates do dispute, that some exhibitors may have beaten the Lumiere brothers, by a couple months, to the admission price jackpot. Either way, these are some of the first films ever made. The Sea (1895), gave the audience the first film setting at the beach. Look at the swimming fashions of the day. Everyone is fully dressed with shoes. It was a different time and we wouldn't be able to enjoy it without these early films. Swimmers running down a dock, jumping in the surf and running back to the dock. That's all it was. That's all it needed to be. Put yourself in a 1895, frame-of-mind and soak up some sun at the beach, 130 years ago.
8.9 (A- MyGrade) = 9 IMDB