Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus

Despite the English title ('The Mysterious Island'), this short fantasy is not based on the Verne novel but is rather a stagy recreation of the story of Calypso and Ulysses (although the film ends up being a mix of tales from the Odyssey). Briefly, the great Greek hero falls sleeps in front of a cave on Calypso's Island. Nymphs appear who seduce him with music and flowers awaiting the appearance of Calypso but when he tries to follow her into the grotto, he is stopped by the giant cyclops Polyphemus. Eventually Ulysses gruesomely thrusts a spear into the monster's single eye and escapes. The simple film is shot on a single set but the double exposures used to depict the cyclops are quite effective for the time. Very good for what it is: an early trick film from one of most imaginative of the early filmmakers.