The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat

The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat

1896 · 1 min · ★ 7.1 · History

A group of people are standing along the platform of a railway station in La Ciotat, waiting for a train. One is seen coming, at some distance, and eventually stops at the platform. Doors of the railway-cars open and attendants help passengers off and on. Popular legend has it that, when this film was shown, the first-night audience fled the café in terror, fearing being run over by the "approaching" train. This legend has since been identified as promotional embellishment, though there is evidence to suggest that people were astounded at the capabilities of the Lumières' cinématographe.

Directed by Louis Lumière

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

33m together

The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat

Night and Fog

A close match in mood and era.

More from Louis LumièreSee all →

Pistol Duel

Pistol Duel · 1896

Based on a real event that occurred between two deputies, in Chapultepec Park.

Le village de Namo - Panorama pris d'une chaise à porteurs

Le village de Namo - Panorama pris d'une chaise à porteurs · 1900

Le village de Namo - Panorama pris d'une chaise à porteurs

MovieDocumentary

The film is a panorama shot-scene lasting just under a minute. The panorama film, as coined by Lumière, is a moving-camera shot--usually accomplished by placing the camera on a moving transport, such as a boat or train.

Transformation by Hats

Transformation by Hats · 1895

Transformation by Hats

Félicien Trewey uses a basic prop to create comical hats and their accompanying caricatures.

Baby's First Steps

Baby's First Steps · 1896

Baby's First Steps

MovieDocumentary

A mother takes her children for a walk, lifts her baby girl out of the buggy and gently sets her down to the ground. She then moves a few steps away and calls her name, to demonstrate that her baby can walk.

Petit frère et petite sœur

Petit frère et petite sœur · 1897

Petit frère et petite sœur

MovieDocumentaryFamily

In a grove, a small boy and a small girl are dancing together.

Arab Cortege, Geneva

Arab Cortege, Geneva · 1896

Arab Cortege, Geneva

MovieDocumentary

A stationary camera looks across a busy corner toward a store front marked "The Divan." The words "des fees" are beneath. A cortege of Arabs, about 20 persons in the party, walk past; the dignitaries are in front, attended by men with horns and drums. Coming in the other direction are local Swiss, who pay little attention, and a group of native-garbed Africans. The dozen or so well-dressed denizens of Geneva who are sitting on the steps of the Divan take it all in.

The Children's Seaside Frolic

The Children's Seaside Frolic · 1897

The Children's Seaside Frolic

MovieComedyFamily

Children enjoying the seaside.

Carnaval, [I]

Carnaval, [I] · 1897

MovieDocumentary

Several shots of the carnival in Nice, floats and parade costumes, passing along the crowded streets.

Néron essayant des poisons sur des esclaves

Néron essayant des poisons sur des esclaves · 1898

Néron essayant des poisons sur des esclaves

MovieDramaHistory

Nero, seated on a throne, has slaves summoned. Each drinks poison and dies, the second even though he can see the corpse of his predecessor.

Moscow, Tverskaia Street

Moscow, Tverskaia Street · 1896

Moscow, Tverskaia Street

MovieDocumentary

Circulation of passers-by and cars in the paved street on the occasion of the Tsar's coronation.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls · 1896

MovieDocumentary

A stationary camera looks west across Niagara Falls from the United States' side (the Niagara River rushes toward the falls from right to left). Virtually overlooking the falls and surrounded by the swift current not far from the camera is a small island where six or eight tourists watch the water, talk, and move about.

Arrivée en voiture

Arrivée en voiture · 1896

Arrivée en voiture

MovieDocumentary

A horse-drawn carriage stops in front of a villa. The residents greet the newcomers, as the coach driver unloads baggages.

Rome, Wedding Procession of the Prince of Naples

Rome, Wedding Procession of the Prince of Naples · 1896

Rome, Wedding Procession of the Prince of Naples

MovieDocumentary

A royal wedding procession.

Carnaval, [II]

Carnaval, [II] · 1897

Several shots of the carnival in Nice, floats and parade costumes, passing along the crowded streets.

Carnaval, [VII]

Carnaval, [VII] · 1897

Carnaval, [VII]

Several shots of the carnival in Nice, floats and parade costumes, passing along the crowded streets.

Carnaval, [IV]

Carnaval, [IV] · 1897

Several shots of the carnival in Nice, floats and parade costumes, passing along the crowded streets.

More Like This

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc · 1999

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

MovieAdventureDrama

In 1429, a French teenager stood before her King with a message she claimed came from God; that she would defeat the world's greatest army and liberate her country from its political and religious turmoil. As she reclaims God's diminished kingdom, this courageous young woman has various amazing victories until her violent and untimely death.

The Miracle Worker

The Miracle Worker · 1962

The Miracle Worker

MovieDramaHistory

The true story of the frightening, lonely world of silence and darkness of 7-year-old Helen Keller who, since infancy, has never seen the sky, heard her mother's voice or expressed her innermost feelings. Then Annie Sullivan, a 20-year-old teacher from Boston, arrives. Having just recently regained her own sight, the no-nonsense Annie reaches out to Helen through the power of touch, the only tool they have in common, and leads her bold pupil on a miraculous journey from fear and isolation to happiness and light.

Night and Fog

Night and Fog · 1956

MovieDocumentaryHistory

Filmmaker Alain Resnais documents the atrocities behind the walls of Hitler's concentration camps.

Public Enemies

Public Enemies · 2009

MovieCrimeHistory

Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger's charm and audacity endear him to much of America's downtrodden public, but he's also a thorn in the side of J. Edgar Hoover and the fledgling FBI. Desperate to capture the elusive outlaw, Hoover makes Dillinger his first Public Enemy Number One and assigns his top agent, Melvin Purvis, the task of bringing him in dead or alive.

Great Balls of Fire!

Great Balls of Fire! · 1989

Great Balls of Fire!

MovieDramaHistory

The story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s. His arrogance, remarkable talent, and unconventional lifestyle often brought him into conflict with others in the industry, and even earned him the scorn and condemnation of the public.

Camille Claudel

Camille Claudel · 1988

Camille Claudel

MovieDramaHistory

The life of Camille Claudel, a French sculptor who becomes the apprentice of Auguste Rodin and later his lover. Her passion for her art and Rodin drive her further away from reason and rationality.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter