Movie spotlight
Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory
Working men and women leave through the main gate of the Lumière factory in Lyon, France. Filmed on 22 March 1895, it is often referred to as the first real motion picture ever made, although Louis Le Prince's 1888 Roundhay Garden Scene pre-dated it by seven years. Three separate versions of this film exist, which differ from one another in numerous ways. The first version features a carriage drawn by one horse, while in the second version the carriage is drawn by two horses, and there is no carriage at all in the third version. The clothing style is also different between the three versions, demonstrating the different seasons in which each was filmed. This film was made in the 35 mm format with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and at a speed of 16 frames per second. At that rate, the 17 meters of film length provided a duration of 46 seconds, holding a total of 800 frames.
Insights
Plot Summary
This seminal short film depicts workers exiting the Lumière brothers' photographic factory in Lyon, France, at the end of a workday. It captures a seemingly mundane event with remarkable realism, showcasing men, women, and even a dog passing through a large gate. The film is notable for its simple yet profound depiction of everyday life and its pioneering use of motion picture technology.
Critical Reception
As one of the very first motion pictures ever shown to a paying audience, 'Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory' is historically significant rather than critically reviewed in the modern sense. Its primary impact was demonstrating the potential of cinema as a new medium for capturing and presenting reality, sparking immense public fascination and laying the groundwork for the film industry.
What Reviewers Say
A foundational work in cinema history, demonstrating the magic of moving images.
Revolutionary for its time in capturing everyday life with unprecedented realism.
Pioneering in its technical achievement and its public exhibition of motion pictures.
Google audience: As a film from 1895, there are no direct Google user reviews. However, its historical importance is universally acknowledged as a cornerstone of cinema.
Awards & Accolades
None notable (as it predates formal award systems for film). It is widely recognized as a landmark film in the history of cinema.
Fun Fact
The Lumière brothers filmed several versions of 'Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory,' including one with the workers leaving on bicycles, which was shown later. The original version, depicting them walking, is considered the very first public film screening.
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