A Journey to the Moon and Beyond: Méliès & the Dawn of Cinematic Sci-Fi

Box office hits such as Nolan’s Interstellar and Cameron’s Avatar cross our minds whenever we think of the depiction of humans venturing to space. However, seldom do we think of the groundbreaking film that laid the foundation for such a bold imaginative journey long before the prospect of travelling to space was even a reality.

Source: IMDb

An underrated gem from the silent era of cinema, Le Voyage Dans La Lune (1902), loosely translated as A Trip to the Moon directed by Georges Mélies, can be widely regarded as the earliest science fiction film in cinematic history.

Humans venturing into outer space, a concept that was purely speculative during the early onset of the 20th century, was not only envisioned but masterfully executed by Méliès. Many might discredit the originality of the idea, given that it is well established that Méliès was heavily inspired by Jules Verne’s De la Terre à la Lune and H. G. Wells’ The First Men in the Moon. Yet the brilliant bridging of the gap between literary science fiction and its translation into a visual masterpiece for the silver screen was undeniably an extraordinary feat — unlike anything the world had ever seen before.

The Mastermind and his Masterpiece

A man of many talents, Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès was a French magician, actor, and film director. His films therefore, were heavily theatrical with an element of magic and wonder filled with narratives and fantastical elements, unlike the documentary zeitgeist.

Georges Méliès (1861-1938) [Source: Pinterest]

He used elaborate sets, costumes, and props, which were rare for the time, as most early filmmakers focused on capturing everyday events. The film is a visual brilliance owing to the expert special effects perfectly balanced with a narrative structure, showcasing the captivating plot of a group of astronomers agreeing to participate in a precarious mission of a lunar exploration and are rocketed to the moon in a metal capsule.

The Selenites, inhabitants of the moon, marked the first depiction of extraterrestrial life in the history of cinema. Méliès' use of superimpositions, miniatures and the anthropomorphic portrayal of the moon and other such practical effects created a surreal visual language that inspired the aesthetic of sci-fi, demonstrating the genre's potential for imaginative world-building. The storyline—a mission, exploration, conflict, and triumphant return—established a narrative framework echoed in films like Star Wars and Avatar.

The Timeless Tropes

Le Voyage dans la Lune also established tropes that became the shorthand for storytelling in science fiction.

• The Mad Scientist —a trope that endures in figures like Dr. Frankenstein and Doc Brown from Back to the Future.

• Clash of Civilizations — the moon as a "new world" reflects narratives of exploration and conquest seen in Avatar or Dune. These narratives often serve as a social commentary on the ethics of exploration and the imposition of one culture upon another.

• The Journey Home — the triumphant journey back to Earth introduces the “return home” trope, wherein the hero’s completion of a transformative journey is a narrative arc that reflects on the impacts of the journey, whether scientific, personal, or societal and can been seen in Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and The Martian.

• Visual Iconography — The image of the rocket landing in the moon’s “eye” induces a blend of awe and comedy. This iconic imagery sets a precedent for memorable visuals such as the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey or the starship Enterprise in Star Trek.

Méliès’ storytelling laid the foundation for science fiction, sparking ideas and themes that still captivate us today.

[Source: Wkipedia]

Georges Méliès was not only a prodigal storyteller—he was an absolute wizard in the art of cinematic magic. For my readers, next time you use "jump cuts" in your TikToks or Instagram reels, take a moment to thank him. Méliès, a true magician, is the genius behind this editing trick that makes people and objects ‘magically’ appear or vanish.

Visionary directors like Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, and Martin Scorsese have acknowledged Méliès as a profound influence on their craft. More than a century later, his ingenuity still highlights and inspires modern filmmakers and creators. Clearly, his imagination is as timeless as is his legacy.