Log in
The Box with Eight Eyes

The Box with Eight Eyes

1978 · 16 min · Documentary, Animation, Drama

The 2nd short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. In the 18th and 19th centuries, optical views were shown in optical boxes with magnifying lenses. The showmen organised a real spectacle, with a barker, music and sound effects. The views played with light (transparencies, perforations). A series of engravings shows the public's enthusiasm for these shows. The second part of the film is a reconstruction of such a show. First, there are views of Paris, Venice, Constantinople and Versailles, followed by various disasters: plague, floods, fires and shipwrecks.

Directed by Pierre Levie

Your Rating

Cast

More from Pierre LevieSee all →

AutumnAutumn · 1972
Autumn
★ 7.51972
MovieDrama
Julien, a movie director, is on the phase of editing his new film, "Juliette sacrifiée". Hurried by his producer, he asks for the help of a professional editor. It is Anne, with whom Julien is soon falling in love. During the whole of the movie, both are sitting in front of the editing table, where they listen to music, talk about politics and what movies should and should not be about.
MalpertuisMalpertuis · 1972
Malpertuis
★ 6.41972
MovieDramaHorror
A young sailor finds himself trapped in the labyrinthine mansion of his occultist uncle, along with a number of eccentric and mysterious relatives who all seem to be harboring a dark secret.
Le Cheval de ferLe Cheval de fer · 1984
Le Cheval de fer
★ 5.51984
MovieAnimation
The story of the bet of Leland Stanford , baron of the rail, on the gallop of the horse. He uses the photographer Eadweard Muybridge , who is developing a system to analyze the movement.
ThaumatropesThaumatropes · 1984
Thaumatropes
1984
MovieDocumentary
The 16th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. Mr Seymour, the hero of the book by London doctor Mr Paris, shows his invention – the thaumatrope – to a little girl and explains how it works. The superimposition of the images is not perfect, so he invents the use of elastic instead of the usual string. Only by recording the two successive images of the thaumatrope on a title bench can they be viewed perfectly. Numerous examples are shown.
Emile ReynaudEmile Reynaud · 1986
Emile Reynaud
1986
MovieDocumentaryDrama
The 8th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. Fictionalised documentary about Emile Reynau who invented the praxinoscope and its system of central mirrors. He then projects his paper strips into the projection praxinoscope before creating the Théâtre Optique, presented at the Musée Grévin. The perforated strips are fragile and often break. The show is cancelled. Reynaud tries to apply photography to his praxinoscope, but without success. Desperate and ruined, he throws his strips into the Seine. Only two survived.
Magic LanternsMagic Lanterns · 1980
Magic Lanterns
1980
MovieDocumentary
The 15th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. A magic lantern slide show.
La PhotographieLa Photographie · 1983
La Photographie
1983
MovieAnimationComedy
In 1840 it took 5'30" to make a photograph.
The Great Barrier ReefThe Great Barrier Reef · 1969
The Great Barrier Reef
1969
MovieDocumentary
A unique document about life on land and underwater in the Great Barrier Reef. Shot during an expedition that lasted more than five months, the film shows both the fauna and flora of the ocean and the technical equipment used to film these stunning images, which are now a thing of the past.
The Truly Magical LanternsThe Truly Magical Lanterns · 1985
The Truly Magical Lanterns
1985
MovieDocumentaryDrama
The 6th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. Featuring demonstrations of magic lanterns by children.
The Odyssey of PanoramasThe Odyssey of Panoramas · 1984
The Odyssey of Panoramas
1984
Movie
The 9th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. A ‘panorama’ was a large painting on a cylindrical canvas. It provided a realistic and compelling view of a city, landscape or historical event, giving viewers the feeling that they were part of it. Viewers were positioned in the centre of a circular building or tent, with the canvas stretched around them. This provided a 360-degree view that gave a sense of depth and immersion.
The Memory of the Eye E.J. MareyThe Memory of the Eye E.J. Marey · 1986
The Memory of the Eye E.J. Marey
1986
MovieDocumentary
The 11th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. Documentary on the work of Etienne-Jules Marey. Marey is a doctor and is interested in movement. He first captures it graphically (the pulse of a man, the stride of a horse, the beating of a bird's wings).
The Charles Pathé-BabiesThe Charles Pathé-Babies · 1986
The Charles Pathé-Babies
1986
MovieDocumentary
The 13th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. The Pathé-Baby, or ‘cinema at home’, the precursor to home cinema, was launched in 1922 and made it possible to watch comedy stars such as Max Linder, Laurel and Hardy, and Felix the Cat, as well as ‘big films’ such as Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Abel Gance's Napoléon, at home.
Les Contes Fantastiques : Une école Belge de l'EtrangeLes Contes Fantastiques : Une école Belge de l'Etrange · 1963
Les Contes Fantastiques : Une école Belge de l'Etrange
1963
Series

More Like This

Couldn't load this row right now.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter