Edison-Invention of the Movies

Starring: Thomas A. Edison and Charles Musser

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• Release Date: January 2005
• Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)
• Publisher: Kino Video
• Director: Various
• Starring: Thomas A. Edison, Charles Musser
• Number of Disks: 4
• Other Video Info: DVD
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

You have seen them here and there, but what are you watching?

This is an impressive set of 4 DVDs that chronicle Edison's contribution to the film industry. It is, for the most part, in chronological order to demonstrate the evolution of films rather than the industry that goes hand in hand with them. You have the option to either just watch films or include interspersed interviews. Most documentaries (not this one) include some snottiness, telling you what you can see for yourself or trying to make some left-field point, as in the film "The Uninvited” (1944), which tries to tout it as a lesbian film. In this case, there are a few, but they are offset by the excellent reviews by Charles Musser, author of "Before the Nickelodeon". Charles ties all the films and presentations into one coherent offering. Now you do not see this presentation as separate films but more of a metamorphosis, and you have a better understanding and appreciation for the early film industry. I will not go through the films in detail, as that is why you are purchasing the product. I will say that this set should be of interest to historians and the curious in many other fields, as it captures sites and attitudes from a time gone by. It is packed with information and can be quite a chore to watch at one time without taking time to digest. You will also want to view this documentary again to pick up on the nuances missed the first time around.