7.5/10
4,783
43 user 7 critic

Roundhay Garden Scene (1888)

Not Rated | | Documentary, Short | 14 October 1888 (UK)
Roundhay Garden Scene Poster
In the garden, a man asks his friends to do something silly for him to record on film.

Director:

Louis Aimé Augustin Le Prince

Stars:

Annie Hartley, Adolphe Le Prince, Joseph Whitley | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Credited cast:
Annie Hartley Annie Hartley ... Herself (as Harriet Hartley) (unconfirmed)
Adolphe Le Prince Adolphe Le Prince ... Himself
Joseph Whitley Joseph Whitley ... Himself
Sarah Whitley Sarah Whitley ... Herself
See full cast »
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Storyline

The earliest celluloid film was shot by Louise Le Prince using the Le Prince single-lens camera made in 1888. It was taken in the garden of the Whitley family house in Oakwood Grange Road, Roundhay, a suburb of Leeds, Yorkshire, Great Britain, possibly on October 14, 1888. It shows Adolphe Le Prince (Le Prince's son), Mrs. Sarah Whitley, (Le Prince's mother-in-law), Joseph Whitley and Miss Harriet Hartley. The 'actors' are shown walking around in circles, laughing to themselves and keeping within the area framed by the camera. It lasts for less than 2 seconds and includes 24 frames. Written by Sujit R. Varma

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

place name in title | garden | 1880s | partially lost film | walking in circles | See All (8) »

Genres:

Documentary | Short

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

UK | France

Release Date:

14 October 1888 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Roundhay Garden Scene See more »

Filming Locations:

England, UK See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Whitley Partners See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(Original length 4.33 seconds, 52 frames at 12fps)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Louis Aimé Augustin Le Prince's mother-in-law, who died in October of 1888, appears in the film, which is why there is some certainty regarding its chronology. See more »

Connections

Featured in Playback (2012) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I watch this film online?
Q: Is that really Harriet Hartley?
Q: Are there any plans for a sequel?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Where it all began.
16 February 2006 | by A_Roode – See all my reviews

If ever there were the case for a ten out of ten rating, this and 'Traffic Crossing the Leeds Bridge' are it. This is the first film ever made -- or at least the earliest film to survive. It is absolutely priceless and has an incalculable value for the history of film. The wonderful thing is that anyone can watch it through the 'Video Clip' link on the IMDb. Very interesting to have a brief glimpse of life 118 years ago. 'Traffic Crossing the Leeds Bridge' is equally fascinating (and brief). There is really no comparison as they both show a brief glimpse of the nineteenth century, but, if forced to choose, I'd say watch that one. Both are tremendous, however, and we're extremely lucky that they've been preserved.
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