Ferdinand Zecca

Directing

Ferdinand Zecca

Born February 19, 1864 · Paris, France

Died March 23, 1943 · aged 79

Ferdinand Zecca (19 February 1864 – 23 March 1947) was a pioneer French film director, film producer, actor and screenwriter. He worked primarily for the Pathé company, first in artistic endeavors then in administration of the internationally based company.

Known For

Slippery JimSlippery Jim · 1910
Slippery Jim
7.31910
MovieFantasyComedy
Apparently inspired by the antics of Harry Houdini, Slippery Jim opens in the office of a police commissioner to whom a rather cocky villain is presented. The commissioner orders the prisoner to be clapped in irons, but this proves to be easier said than done because our anti-hero - presumably the Slippery Jim of the title - proves to be an expert escapologist.
The StrikeThe Strike · 1904
The Strike
5.81904
MovieDrama
During a strike, several workers are killed in a confrontation. The wife of one of them kills the factory owner. At her trial, the owner's son asks for mercy, knowing that his father was wrong. Because of that the wife is freed.
The Fantastic DiverThe Fantastic Diver · 1905
The Fantastic Diver
7.51905
MovieComedy
Ferdinand Zecca's remake of his own film "Plongeur fantastique" (The Fantastic Plunger, 1901) with the same premise, showing a diver with reverse motion editing for a curious effect
Le Voleur invisibleLe Voleur invisible · 1909
Le Voleur invisible
6.11909
MovieCrimeFantasy
A man in a suit and cap stops in front of the display of a bookseller, finds and flips… "Invisible Man" by H. G. Wells! Fascinated by the subject, he buys the book and goes home with the intention to test the invisibility formula described by the author…
Life and Passion of ChristLife and Passion of Christ · 1907
Life and Passion of Christ
6.31907
MovieDramaHistory
The story of the life and passion of Jesus Christ, from the proclamation of his birth to his ascension into heaven.
Vendetta!!Vendetta!! · 1905
Vendetta!!
5.01905
MovieDrama
Two men get into a knife fight, in a Corsican tavern, and one of them kills another and escapes. He takes refuge in his house but escapes when the guard arrives, starting a persecution to the death.
L'Étoile du génieL'Étoile du génie · 1914
L'Étoile du génie
8.01914
MovieDrama
Ali Baba and the Forty ThievesAli Baba and the Forty Thieves · 1902
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
6.01902
MovieAdventure
An early hand-tinted adaptation of Ali Baba.

Filmography

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The Fairy of SpringThe Fairy of Spring · 1902
The Fairy of Spring
6.01902
MovieFantasy
It is the depths of winter, and the snow is falling. The desolate landscape casts a melancholic note over the scene. A poor peasant woman awaits her husband, who has gone to gather firewood in the forest. When he finally arrives, they lament their sad fate. If only they had a child! This wish has been granted by the Spring Fairy, who appears before them. With a wave of her magic wand, she transforms the scene into a cheerful, flowery landscape. They themselves are dressed in rich costumes. The fairy summons flowers, which flow into her hand to form a magnificent bouquet, instantly transformed into a beautiful pink baby, which she gives to them. Then she vanishes, leaving them overflowing with joy and longing. This film, tinted in Barcelona by Segundo de Chomón, is currently lost and should not be confused with the remake done by Vincent Lorant-Heilbronn in 1905, also tinted by Chomón in Paris, which is widely available to watch.

Director