1903 New Zealand film
| A Message from Mars | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | W.F. Brown Franklyn Barrett |
| Based on | A Message from Mars by Richard Ganthony |
| Produced by | Franklyn Barrett |
| Starring | Peter Savieri Gus Neville |
| Cinematography | Franklyn Barrett |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 500 feet |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Languages | Silent film English intertitles |
A Message from Mars is a 1903 New Zealand short film by Franklyn Barrett, based on the play of the same name by Richard Ganthony that had been highly popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Another version of this film was made in 1913 in the UK as A Message from Mars (1913 film). In December 2014, the British Film Institute announced this latter film was posted online on their website.
According to The Bulletin, "Only six people were employed in its making, but it was notable as the first picture in which trick photography was resorted to for dramatic effect. It was quite devoid of such modern improvements as “fade-ins,” “fade-outs” and “close-ups,” but it made money. "
Plot
A Martian comes to Earth to show a human he is selfish.
Cast
- Peter Savieri
- Mrs Savieri
- Gus Neville
- Miss Foley
Preservation status
This 1903 film was New Zealand's first fiction film and is now considered a lost film.
References
- Rutledge, 'Barrett, Walter Franklyn (1873–1964)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University accessed 11 September 2013.
- "Turn Buck the Universe and Talk of Yesterday For "Everyones"", Everyones., Sydney: Everyones Ltd, 14 December 1932, nla.obj-585209817, retrieved 15 August 2024 – via Trove
- "A Message From Mars." Southland Times , Issue 18051, 22 January 1903, Page 2 accessed 11 September 2013
- ^ "Film History: Where Wellington Stands". Dominion. No. 116. Papers Past. 10 February 1927. p. 15. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- "A Message from Mars". Silent Era Company. 1903. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- "Poverty Point", The Bulletin, Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 25 December 1929, nla.obj-606445439, retrieved 16 August 2024 – via Trove
- "Production of Moving Pictures – In America and Australia". Australian Town and Country Journal. Vol. XCVIII, no. 2555. New South Wales, Australia. 18 December 1918. p. 20. Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
External links
| Films directed by Franklyn Barrett | |
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| Features |
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| Shorts/Documentaries |
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