9+ Movies from the 1900s (Top Picks)

The 1900s marked a significant period in the history of cinema, with the birth of the motion picture industry and the emergence of silent films.

This era witnessed the development of new technologies, artistic experimentation, and the establishment of major film studios.

Movies from the 1900s laid the foundation for the modern film industry and continue to influence filmmakers today.

Movies from the 1900s

Here are some notable films from the decade 1900-1910:

“A Trip to the Moon” (1902)

Director: Georges Méliès

A pioneering science fiction film that follows a group of astronomers who travel to the Moon.

“The Great Train Robbery” (1903)

Director: Edwin S. Porter

One of the first narrative films, depicting a train robbery in the American West.

“The Life of an American Fireman” (1903)

Director: Edwin S. Porter

An early example of narrative storytelling in film, focusing on the life and duties of firefighters.

“The Kingdom of the Fairies” (1903)

Director: Georges Méliès

A fantasy film that showcases Méliès’s innovative special effects and storytelling.

“The Voyage Across the Impossible” (1904)

Director: Georges Méliès

A science fiction adventure film that explores themes of exploration and technology.

“Rescued by Rover” (1905)

Director: Lewin Fitzhamon and Cecil Hepworth

An early British film about a dog who helps to rescue a baby from kidnappers.

“Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” (1906)

Director: J. Stuart Blackton

Often cited as one of the first animated films, using stop-motion techniques to create humorous scenarios.

“The Story of the Kelly Gang” (1906)

Director: Charles Tait

Considered the world’s first full-length narrative feature film, telling the story of the infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly.

“A Corner in Wheat” (1909)

Director: D.W. Griffith

A drama that explores themes of greed and inequality, focusing on the wheat trade.

“Les Joyeux Microbes” (1909)

Director: Émile Cohl

An early animated film that uses imaginative visuals to depict the world of microbes.

These films from the 1900-1910 decade are significant for their contributions to the early development of cinematic language, techniques, and genres.

Here we look at the key aspects of movies from the 1900s, including their historical context, notable films and filmmakers, and their lasting impact on cinema.

Table of Contents

The Birth of Cinema

The 1900s saw the birth of cinema as a popular form of entertainment.

The Lumière brothers, Auguste and Louis, played a pivotal role in this development with their invention of the cinematograph, a device that could both capture and project moving images.

On December 28, 1895, they held the first public screening of their films in Paris, marking the beginning of the motion picture era.

Initially, films were short and simple, capturing everyday scenes such as workers leaving a factory or a train arriving at a station.

These early films, known as actualities, aimed to capture reality and provide audiences with a glimpse into the world beyond their own experiences.

The Rise of Silent Films

Silent films dominated the cinema landscape during the 1900s.

These films relied solely on visual storytelling, as synchronized sound had not yet been introduced.

Silent films utilized intertitles, or text screens, to convey dialogue and important information to the audience.

One of the most influential silent film directors of the time was D.W. Griffith.

His epic film “The Birth of a Nation” (1915) revolutionized the medium with its innovative storytelling techniques and elaborate production values.

Despite its controversial subject matter and racial stereotypes, the film showcased the potential of cinema as a powerful storytelling medium.

Another notable filmmaker of the era was Georges Méliès, a French illusionist and director.

Méliès is best known for his imaginative and fantastical films, such as “A Trip to the Moon” (1902), which featured groundbreaking special effects and set design.

Technological Advancements

The 1900s witnessed significant technological advancements in the field of cinema.

The introduction of hand-cranked cameras allowed filmmakers to capture longer shots and create more dynamic visuals.

This led to the development of narrative storytelling techniques and the emergence of longer films.

Additionally, the use of color tinting and toning techniques became popular during this period.

Films were hand-painted or treated with dyes to enhance certain scenes or evoke specific moods.

For example, blue tinting was often used to depict nighttime scenes, while red tinting created a sense of danger or excitement.

Furthermore, the development of film editing techniques, such as cross-cutting and parallel editing, allowed filmmakers to create more complex narratives and build tension.

These techniques were employed by directors like Edwin S. Porter in his groundbreaking film “The Great Train Robbery” (1903).

Notable Films and Filmmakers

Several films from the 1900s continue to be celebrated for their artistic and technical achievements. Here are some notable examples:

“The Great Train Robbery” (1903): Directed by Edwin S. Porter, this film is considered one of the first narrative films and introduced many innovative techniques, including parallel editing and on-location shooting.
“A Trip to the Moon” (1902): Directed by Georges Méliès, this iconic silent film is known for its imaginative set design and groundbreaking special effects.
“The Birth of a Nation” (1915): Directed by D.W. Griffith, this controversial film is recognized for its technical achievements and narrative innovations, despite its problematic racial themes.
“Intolerance” (1916): Also directed by D.W. Griffith, this epic film explores themes of intolerance throughout different historical periods and showcases Griffith’s mastery of storytelling techniques.

These films, among others, laid the groundwork for the development of cinema as an art form and influenced future generations of filmmakers.

The Legacy of Movies from the 1900s

Movies from the 1900s have had a lasting impact on the film industry and continue to shape the way we make and consume movies today.

Here are some key aspects of their legacy:

Technological Advancements: The technological advancements made during the 1900s paved the way for the development of sound films, color films, and other innovations that transformed the medium.
Narrative Techniques: Filmmakers of the 1900s experimented with narrative storytelling techniques, such as cross-cutting and parallel editing, which are still widely used in contemporary cinema.
Visual Aesthetics: The visual aesthetics of silent films, including their use of light and shadow, influenced the cinematography of later films. Directors like F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang drew inspiration from the visual style of movies from the 1900s.
Artistic Expression: Movies from the 1900s showcased the potential of cinema as an art form, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and visual expression. Filmmakers like Sergei Eisenstein and Charlie Chaplin built upon the artistic achievements of this era.

FAQs – Movies from the 1900s

1. What were the first movies ever made?

The first movies ever made were short actualities capturing everyday scenes, such as workers leaving a factory or a train arriving at a station.

The Lumière brothers’ films, screened in 1895, are often considered among the first movies ever made.

2. When did sound films become popular?

Sound films, also known as “talkies,” became popular in the late 1920s.

The release of “The Jazz Singer” in 1927, featuring synchronized sound, marked a significant turning point in the film industry.

3. Were all films in the 1900s silent?

Yes, all films in the 1900s were silent as synchronized sound had not yet been introduced.

Silent films relied on visual storytelling and used intertitles to convey dialogue and important information to the audience.

4. Who were some influential filmmakers of the 1900s?

Some influential filmmakers of the 1900s include D.W. Griffith, Georges Méliès, Edwin S. Porter, F.W. Murnau, and Sergei Eisenstein.

These directors made significant contributions to the development of cinema as an art form.

5. What were some popular genres in movies from the 1900s?

Popular genres in movies from the 1900s included westerns, comedies, melodramas, and historical epics.

These genres continue to be explored and reinvented in contemporary cinema.

6. How were films edited in the 1900s?

Films in the 1900s were edited using manual techniques. Filmmakers physically cut and spliced together strips of film to create the desired sequence.

This process required precision and careful planning.

7. Did movies from the 1900s have music?

While movies from the 1900s were silent, live musical accompaniment was often provided during screenings.

Musicians would play instruments or use sound effects to enhance the viewing experience.

8. Were there any female filmmakers in the 1900s?

Yes, there were several female filmmakers in the 1900s, although their contributions have often been overlooked.

Alice Guy-Blaché, for example, was a pioneering filmmaker who directed over 1,000 films during her career.

9. How long were movies in the 1900s?

Movies in the 1900s varied in length, but most were relatively short compared to contemporary films.

The average length of a film during this period was around 10 to 15 minutes.

10. Did movies from the 1900s have subtitles?

No, movies from the 1900s did not have subtitles as we know them today.

Instead, intertitles were used to convey dialogue and important information to the audience.

11. What are some great movies from between 1900-1960?

Some great movies from 1900-1960 include:

“A Trip to the Moon” (1902)
- Director: Georges Méliès
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Notable for its pioneering special effects and narrative storytelling in early cinema.
“The Great Train Robbery” (1903)
- Director: Edwin S. Porter
- Genre: Western
- One of the first narrative films with a coherent plot and action sequences.
“The Birth of a Nation” (1915)
- Director: D.W. Griffith
- Genre: Historical Drama
- Controversial for its portrayal of African Americans and the Ku Klux Klan, but significant for its innovations in narrative and film techniques.
“Intolerance” (1916)
- Director: D.W. Griffith
- Genre: Historical Epic
- A response to the criticism of “The Birth of a Nation,” telling four parallel stories from different historical eras.
“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920)
- Director: Robert Wiene
- Genre: Horror
- A landmark German Expressionist film known for its atmospheric style and set design.
“Nosferatu” (1922)
- Director: F.W. Murnau
- Genre: Horror
- An unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” celebrated for its eerie atmosphere and innovative use of shadows.
“Battleship Potemkin” (1925)
- Director: Sergei Eisenstein
- Genre: Historical Drama
- A Soviet silent film renowned for its montage editing and the iconic Odessa Steps sequence.
“Metropolis” (1927)
- Director: Fritz Lang
- Genre: Science Fiction
- A German expressionist science-fiction film known for its futuristic urban dystopia and special effects.
“The Jazz Singer” (1927)
- Director: Alan Crosland
- Genre: Musical Drama
- The first feature-length motion picture with synchronized dialogue sequences, marking the decline of the silent film era.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” (1930)
- Director: Lewis Milestone
- Genre: War
- An anti-war film based on Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, depicting the horrors of World War I.
“King Kong” (1933)
- Director: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
- Known for its groundbreaking use of stop-motion animation.
“Gone with the Wind” (1939)
- Director: Victor Fleming
- Genre: Historical Romance
- One of the highest-grossing films of all time, telling a love story set against the backdrop of the American Civil War.
“Citizen Kane” (1941)
- Director: Orson Welles
- Genre: Drama
- Frequently cited as one of the greatest films of all time, known for its innovative narrative structure and cinematography.
“Casablanca” (1942)
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- A classic Hollywood film known for its memorable quotes, characters, and theme of sacrifice.
“Bicycle Thieves” (1948)
- Director: Vittorio De Sica
- Genre: Drama
- A seminal work of Italian neorealism, exploring poverty and despair in post-World War II Italy.
“Rashomon” (1950)
- Director: Akira Kurosawa
- Genre: Drama, Crime
- A Japanese film that explores the concept of subjective truth and unreliable narration.
“Psycho” (1960)
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Known for its iconic shower scene and contribution to the horror genre.

Summary – Movies from the 1900s

The movies from the 1900s played a crucial role in the development of cinema as an art form and entertainment medium.

The birth of cinema, the rise of silent films, and the technological advancements of the era laid the foundation for the modern film industry.

Notable films and filmmakers from this period continue to be celebrated for their artistic and technical achievements.

The legacy of movies from the 1900s can be seen in the technological advancements, narrative techniques, visual aesthetics, and artistic expression of contemporary cinema.

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