THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1903)
- THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1903)
Edwin S. Porter (director).
Essentially, this was the first narrative film—the first moving picture that related a fictional story—and it was the first Western. It was produced by Edison and Company. Perhaps the most memorable moment of the film occurs at the end of the last scene. The robbery is completed. The bandits are caught. Suddenly, on-screen and looking directly at the audience, one of the outlaws points a gun at the audience and fires. For the original audience, this action probably had the same effect that I-Max films have today when they send us on roller coaster rides or drop us out of airplanes. Even this early in the silent film era, the last scene is color tinted. Among the curiosities of this production is the fact that Porter would have considered a Western for the subject of this experimental film. After all, it was 1903 and he filmed a “Western” from an eastern perspective. There is nothing about this film that is Western, other than the suggested geographical setting, which is actually New Jersey. What makes this more than just a very recent train robbery in New Jersey?
As far as the film’s narrative goes, it is purely a vignette. There is no character development, no motivation. Despite the fact that the money being stolen from the train presumably belongs to corporate interests, the ordinary folk seem deeply concerned that the robbers be caught, which says much about the political focus of the film. After all, why should it matter to the townspeople? The robbery also involves a murder, but one might wonder if Porter has the passenger killed primarily to deflect sympathy. Nevertheless, with this film, cinema Westerns were invented.
Historical Dictionary of Westerns in Cinema.
Paul Varner.
2012.
Look at other dictionaries:
The Great Train Robbery — may refer to: NOTOC Events * The Great Gold Robbery of 1855 that took place during a train and sea journey from London to Paris. * Great Train Robbery (1963) that took place in 1963 near Linslade in England. * The Great Dinky Robbery, an incident … Wikipedia
The Great Train Robbery (film) — Infobox Film name = The Great Train Robbery |thumb director = Edwin S. Porter writer = Edwin S. Porter based on the 1896 play by Scott Marble starring = Justus D. Barnes Gilbert M. Anderson producer = distributor = Edison Manufacturing Company… … Wikipedia
The Great Train Robbery — Le Vol du grand rapide Le Vol du grand rapide Affiche Titre original The Great Train Robbery Réalisation Edwin S. Porter … Wikipédia en Français
The Great Train Robbery — Filmdaten Deutscher Titel: Der große Eisenbahnraub Originaltitel: The Great Train Robbery Produktionsland: USA Erscheinungsjahr: 1903 Länge: 12 Minuten Originalsprache: Englisch … Deutsch Wikipedia
Great Train Robbery — I. The Great Train Robbery a 10 minute US silent film (1903) which has been called ‘the first real movie’, because it was the first to tell a story. It is a western about criminals who rob a train and then celebrate in town. It was made by the… … Universalium
Train robbery — is a type of robbery, in which the goal is to steal money or other valuables being carried aboard trains. They were more common in the past than today, and often occurred in the American Old West. Trains carrying payroll shipments were a major… … Wikipedia
1903 in film — The year 1903 in film involved some significant events. TOC Events * Thomas Edison demolishes America s First Movie Studio , the Black Maria. Films released in 1903* Alibaba and the Forty Thieves * Alice in Wonderland * Capital Execution *… … Wikipedia
1903 au cinema — 1903 au cinéma Années : 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 Décennies : 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 Siècles : XIXe siècle … Wikipédia en Français
1903 год в кино — Содержание 1 Избранное кино 1.1 Мировое кино 2 Персоналии … Википедия
1903 au cinéma — Années : 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 Décennies : 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 Siècles : XIXe siècle XXe siècle … Wikipédia en Français
