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History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1899 DVD
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This innovative DVD features some of the earliest motion pictures made by legendary inventor T.A. Edison. Included are 39 short films of various lengths and themes, each reflecting the stage at which cinematographic technology was back in the 19th Century. This DVD by A2ZCDS is a fascinating odyssey through time.
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It was a historical discovery - a sequence of individual still pictures, when set in motion, can give the illusion of movement. When this phenomenon was put under scrutiny, it was called persistence of vision, whereby the eye retains a visual image for a fraction of a second after the source has been removed. Various imaginative attempts were made to capitalize on this discovery, most notably in the form of the zoetrope and the Magic Lantern. Various inventors got into the act and a number of devices were made. However, an historical absolute held true - no invention will see the light of day until its time has come.
When celebrated American inventor Thomas Alva Edison finally authored the Kinetoscope (a machine for recording actual movement on film and another machine for viewing the resulting images) in the 19th century, he had the findings of other pioneers like Eastman and Muybridge to draw on. However, he is rightly credited with the making of the first workable motion picture projector. The world of cinematography as we know it today is a direct descendant from this and later inventions by this genius.
The History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1899 DVD by A2ZCDS presents 39 unique examples of the motion pictures from the 19th century. Each comes directly from the historic recording studios of Thomas Edison himself - Thomas Edison Inc. Included on this fascinating DVD are such timeless cinema treasures as:
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Astor Battery on parade
Filmed as the Astor Battery appeared in New York on Saturday, January 21, 1899, on their return from active service in the Philippines. The picture is taken as they cross Broadway, Union Square, north. The mounted police are followed by the band, then the famous Astor Battery itself, marching twenty-four abreast. The members perform their drill with aplomb and make a spectacular sight. The images of bygone times are mesmerizing.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: J. Stuart Blackton & Albert E. Smith
Year: 1899
Length: 00:00:49
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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U.S. troops and Red Cross in the trenches before Caloocan
Taken during the Spanish American War, this clips shows U.S. troops after having driven the Filipinos out of the trenches. After firing one or two volleys, they press on in pursuit. The enemy returns the fire and the forward rush is marked by a trail of dead and wounded. Following close behind is the hospital corps. Stretchers are quickly brought out and the nurses tenderly care for the fallen and carry them to the rear.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: James H. White
Year: 1899
Length: 00:00:43
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Raising Old Glory over Morro Castle
Also from the era of the Spanish American War, this short film shows the ceremonious lowering of the Spanish flag, to be replaced by America’s Stars and Stripes. This symbolizes the end of the tyranny and oppression that has ruled in the new world for four hundred years. Also visible in the distance are the turrets and battlements of Morro, the last foothold of Spain in America.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: J. Stuart Blackton & Albert E. Smith
Year: 1899
Length: 00:00:40
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Three Acrobats
Taken from The American Variety Stage: Vaudeville and Popular Entertainment, 1870-1920 files, this short film shows the antics of two male and one female clown engaged in the time-honored mock-violence of circus clowns. Amongst other things, this film demonstrates that very little has changed about what made people laugh in the 19th century, and now.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1899
Length: 00:00:36
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Love and War
An illustrated song telling the story of a hero who leaves for the war as a private, is promoted to the rank of captain for bravery in service and meets the girl of his choice, who is a Red Cross nurse on the field. He finally returns home triumphantly as an officer to the father and mother to whom he bade good bye as a private. The film presents this beautiful song picture in six scenes, each of which has a separate song, making the entire series a complete and effective novelty.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: James H. White
Year: 1899
Length: 00:03:05
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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"Columbia" Winning the Cup
The decisive moment in the great International Yacht Races is shown in this picture. Against a background of well defined clouds, the Light Boat is seen marking the finishing line in this great aquatic struggle. As the Columbia crosses the line, followed closely by the Shamrock, we see the steam from the whistle of the Light Ship announcing the well earned victory of the American yacht.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1899
Length: 00:01:35
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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These and over 30 other historic short films by Thomas Edison’s own studio have been collected on this groundbreaking innovative DVD from A2ZCDS. This compilation is literally history in motion, and constitutes an unforgettable viewing experience. |
Running Time:
DVD One : 01:02:56
 EDITORIAL REVIEW:
One recalls the historic words "I am experimenting upon an instrument which does for the eye what the phonograph does for the ear, which is the recording and reproduction of things in motion ...." uttered by Thomas A. Edison in 1888. As the world knows, this was a man who delivered on what he promised. Our world would certainly not be the same if he had not been part of American history. It can, of course, be argued that his world-changing inventions would eventually have been masterminded by others. However, there would almost certainly have been an incredible time lag before this happened. Thomas Alva Edison was not a ploddingly meticulous scientist - he was a driven visionary the likes of whom we will not see again. A creative genius who had an incalculable impact on the modern world.
Each of the film segments that you will see on this DVD represent a piece of history in its own right - times and situations that have, in their own way, defined the times and situations that were to follow. The Spanish American War, 19th century New York and Yellowstone Park, Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders... all these and more are available in a compact time capsule from the historic era of cinema’s pioneering years.
CUSTOMER'S REVIEWS:
"You cannot like movies and not be enthralled by these gems from cinema history. I hadn’t really thought of films as having a beginning it all - like almost everyone else, I just take the phenomenon for granted. The History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1899 DVD changed my mind in a hurry. These were the formative years. Watch it - it’s unforgettable."
Customer's Name : Jasper Goldsmith (Des Moines, Iowa)
"We ordered this DVD because we love history, and we were not disappointed. It is one thing to read about the films that Edison himself made - it’s entirely another to actually watch them. This is fascinating... thanks a lot, A2ZCDS. Also for the timely delivery."
Customer's Name : Enrique Castellan (Franklin, Tennessee)
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History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1899 DVD
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General Packaging Description:
Our professionally-produced DVDs are shipped in retail Amaray style DVD cases just like you would find in a store. These beautifully packaged DVDs make great gifts and are themselves works of art. While we offer some of the best prices anywhere, we have never sacrificed quality for price.
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System requirements:
Computer: Pentium II, 300mhz, 64mb RAM, DVD-ROM, compatible video and sound card.
Player: NTSC compatible DVD player, standard TV.
Region: All players, irrespective of region
NOTE ON COMPATIBILITY: While our DVDs are designed for optimal playback for all home DVD players, it is possible that some older systems will have trouble playing our DVDs. Although rare, it is worth mentioning. If this occurs you will receive a full refund.
Given that some of these videos are extremely old and their original audio quality is not very good, we have tried to improve it to the best possible quality. However, due to their inherent quality problems, you might still have a few instances where the audio is of a slightly lower volume.
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