Panorama of the Grand Canal Taken from a Boat

1896 Documentary 46 seconds Directed by Alexandre Promio

Open in new tab

About Panorama of the Grand Canal Taken from a Boat

A Cinématographe on a gondola moves along Venice's Grand Canal. The boat's hull stays out of frame. Other craft and the buildings on the water pass the lens.

Cast & crew

More about Panorama of the Grand Canal Taken from a Boat

On 25 October 1896 Alexandre Promio, in Venice for Société Lumière, asked Lyon by telegram for leave to shoot from a moving gondola. Louis Lumière wanted the camera held steady, and a view from a boat broke that rule. The shot is Lumière catalog view No. 295. It is 35mm, with two round Lumière perforations per frame, black and white, and silent. A release date of 13 December 1896 is recorded.

Themes

Making

Promio telegraphed for permission before he put the camera on the gondola.

Look

Promio fixed the Cinématographe to the gondola. The hull is not in the frame; canal traffic and the buildings pass.

Preservation

A surviving copy runs 46 seconds.

Notes

  • The French title is Panorama du Grand Canal pris d'un bateau.
  • Auguste and Louis Lumière produced it. Promio was one of the operators they sent out in 1896.

Scenes

  • The gondola advances and other boats and the canal-side buildings slide past, with the hull kept out of view.

Also available

  • Wikimedia Commons (Venise Panorama du Grand Canal 1896.webm)

More from Alexandre Promio

View all →