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

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
Excursion to the MoonExcursion to the Moon · 1908
Excursion to the Moon
★ 5.31908
MovieComedyFantasy
Segundo de Chomón's remake of Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon.
The RegretThe Regret · 1905
The Regret
★ 5.51905
MovieDrama
A servant kills his miser master and buries his corpse. The murderer is haunted by the ghost of his victim....or is it his own conscience?
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…
Cinderella or The Glass SlipperCinderella or The Glass Slipper · 1912
Cinderella or The Glass Slipper
★ 5.81912
MovieDramaFantasy
Georges Méliès's first attempt at Cinderella was in 1899. That film was extraordinary then for having multiple scenes and a semblance of a narrative; additionally, the use of dissolves as transitions in it influenced other filmmakers for years to do the same. Méliès was the cinema world's preeminent leader then. By 1912, however, that was no longer the case; frankly, as evidenced by this feature, his style had become dated. Moreover, Méliès had begun to adopt techniques from other filmmakers, such as direct cuts instead of dissolves, and there's even a match on action shot during the slipper trying-on scene.
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.
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 Golden BeetleThe Golden Beetle · 1907
The Golden Beetle
★ 6.01907
MovieFantasy
A magician is surprised when he attempts to transform a beetle.

Filmography

Sort
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

La Tragique Aventure de Robert le Taciturne, duc d'AquitaineLa Tragique Aventure de Robert le Taciturne, duc d'Aquitaine · 1910
La Tragique Aventure de Robert le Taciturne, duc d'Aquitaine
★ 9.01910
MovieDrama
Robert the Silent earned his nickname with his dejected and taciturn demeanor. One day, a run through the forest led him to a Gypsy encampment. He interrupted the dance of one of the Gypsy women, but she resumed her dance, and the Duke was captivated by her grace and charm. The following day, he invited her to his castle, which she accepted. When she arrived at the castle, the Duke had fallen asleep. So, while waiting, she practiced a few steps. In his dream, the Duke saw Gyska dancing the same dance before her family. A kiss awakened him, and he joyfully found her ready to give him her love. But as they made love, the bed curtain was drawn back by the Duchess, who summoned two guards and ordered them to seize the young woman and make her disappear. Then she appeared to the young Gypsy woman, who tried to leave. Arrested, she was thrown into a dungeon. Robert, learning the truth from his wife, tries to intervene but it is too late. So, beside Gyska's body, he drinks poison in one gulp.

Director