Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus
Plot
In this early fantasy-horror adaptation from Homer's Odyssey, the hero Ulysses and his crew encounter the monstrous one-eyed Cyclops Polyphemus on their journey home. After seeking refuge in the giant's cave, Ulysses and his men discover they are trapped as Polyphemus rolls a massive stone to block the entrance. The terrifying Cyclops proceeds to devour several of Ulysses' men before falling into a drunken stupor. Ulysses then devises a clever plan to escape by sharpening a giant stake and blinding the sleeping monster, allowing his remaining crew to flee by clinging to the undersides of the Cyclops' sheep as they leave the cave.
Director
Cast
About the Production
This film was created using Méliès' signature theatrical staging techniques with elaborate painted backdrops and mechanical effects. The giant Polyphemus was created through forced perspective and oversized props, while Méliès employed multiple exposure techniques for the magical elements. The film was hand-colored frame by frame using a stencil process, which was common for Méliès' more important productions.
Historical Background
1905 was a pivotal year in early cinema, occurring during the transition from novelty films to narrative storytelling. The film industry was rapidly professionalizing, with established production companies like Méliès' Star Film competing against emerging studios. This period saw cinema moving from fairgrounds and music halls toward dedicated theaters. Méliès, once the undisputed king of fantasy films, was facing increasing competition from more realistic narrative filmmakers like the Lumière brothers and Pathé. The film was created during the Russo-Japanese War and just before the 1905 Russian Revolution, reflecting a period of significant global change. In cinema terms, 1905 marked the beginning of longer narrative films and the decline of the single-shot trick film that had made Méliès famous.
Why This Film Matters
This film represents an important milestone in cinematic adaptation of classical literature, demonstrating how early filmmakers approached mythological subjects. It showcases Méliès' role in establishing the fantasy and horror genres in cinema, using visual effects to create supernatural experiences for audiences. The film contributed to the development of visual storytelling techniques that would influence generations of filmmakers. As one of the earliest treatments of Greek mythology in film, it helped establish the epic as a viable cinematic subject. The hand-coloring techniques used in this film represent a crucial phase in the development of color cinema, before true color processes were invented. Méliès' approach to adapting classical myths for the screen would influence countless future filmmakers in how they approached literary adaptations.
Making Of
The production of 'Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus' took place in Méliès' glass-walled studio in Montreuil-sous-Bois, which allowed natural lighting essential for the hand-coloring process. The film required extensive preparation of props and costumes, particularly the towering Cyclops figure which had to be both intimidating and practical for the actor wearing it. Méliès employed his theater background to stage the action, using choreographed movements and exaggerated gestures typical of early cinema performances. The special effects, particularly the blinding sequence, required precise timing and multiple takes to achieve the seamless transitions Méliès was known for. The hand-coloring process alone could take weeks, with teams of women carefully applying colors to each frame using stencils created specifically for this production.
Visual Style
The film employs Méliès' characteristic theatrical cinematography, with static camera positions and deep staging that emphasized the spatial relationships between characters and props. The cinematography utilized forced perspective to create the illusion of the Cyclops' massive size, with careful positioning of actors and oversized props. The lighting was designed to enhance the dramatic effect, with the cave scenes using chiaroscuro techniques to create shadows and menace. Méliès employed multiple exposure techniques for supernatural effects and substitution splicing for the blinding sequence. The hand-colored versions featured carefully coordinated color schemes that emphasized the dramatic elements, with red used for blood and fire effects, and blues and greens for the mysterious cave environment.
Innovations
This film showcased several of Méliès' technical innovations, including sophisticated use of substitution splicing for the blinding sequence and multiple exposure techniques for magical effects. The forced perspective techniques used to create the giant Cyclops were particularly advanced for 1905. The hand-coloring process represented a significant technical achievement, requiring the creation of precise stencils for each color and careful application by skilled artisans. The mechanical effects, including the rolling stone and the moving sheep, demonstrated Méliès' ingenuity in creating practical effects that could be repeated reliably for multiple takes. The film's production required careful coordination between actors, effects technicians, and camera operators to achieve the seamless transitions Méliès was known for.
Music
Like all films of 1905, this was a silent production accompanied by live musical performance during exhibition. Theaters typically employed pianists or small ensembles to provide musical accompaniment, often using popular classical pieces or theater music that matched the mood of each scene. For dramatic moments like the Cyclops attacks, musicians would play dramatic, thunderous music, while quieter scenes featured more lyrical melodies. Some theaters may have used sound effects created backstage, such as drums for thunder or bells to enhance the magical elements. The choice of music was left to individual theater musicians, so performances varied widely between venues.
Famous Quotes
(Silent film - no dialogue, but intertitles would have included narrative captions from the Odyssey)
Memorable Scenes
- The dramatic blinding sequence where Ulysses and his men drive the sharpened stake into the Cyclops' eye, achieved through substitution splicing and creating one of cinema's earliest horror moments
Did You Know?
- This film represents one of the earliest cinematic adaptations of Greek mythology, specifically drawing from Book 9 of Homer's Odyssey
- Georges Méliès not only directed but also starred as Ulysses, following his common practice of taking leading roles in his own productions
- The Cyclops costume and makeup were remarkably elaborate for 1905, requiring the actor to wear a heavy prosthetic eye and extensive body padding
- The film was distributed internationally by Méliès' Star Film Company under catalog number 675-676
- Like many Méliès films, it was hand-colored using the stencil coloring method, with each color applied by female workers in his workshop
- The giant's cave was created using one of Méliès' signature painted backdrops, designed to give the illusion of immense scale
- This film was part of Méliès' later period when he was creating more narrative-driven works rather than purely magical trick films
- The blinding scene was achieved using substitution splicing, a technique Méliès pioneered and perfected
- The film was originally released in both French and English versions to cater to international markets
- Méliès created a special mechanical sheep prop that could be manipulated to show the men hiding underneath as they escaped
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews from 1905 are scarce, but trade publications of the time noted the film's impressive special effects and elaborate production values. The film was praised for its ambitious scope and Méliès' continued innovation in visual effects. Modern film historians recognize it as an important example of early narrative cinema and Méliès' later work. Critics today appreciate the film's historical significance and its role in the development of fantasy and horror genres. The hand-colored versions of the film are particularly valued by scholars for their artistic merit and technical achievement. The film is often cited in academic studies of early cinema as an example of how classical mythology was adapted for the new medium of film.
What Audiences Thought
Early 20th-century audiences reportedly responded enthusiastically to the film's dramatic content and spectacular effects. The horror elements, particularly the Cyclops devouring Ulysses' men, were considered shocking and thrilling for viewers of the time. The film's combination of classical subject matter with Méliès' trademark visual magic made it popular with both educated audiences seeking cultural content and general viewers seeking entertainment. The hand-colored versions commanded higher ticket prices and were particularly sought after by theater-goers. The film's success contributed to Méliès' reputation as a master of cinematic fantasy, though by 1905 his commercial dominance was beginning to wane in the face of changing audience preferences.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Homer's Odyssey (ancient Greek epic poem)
- Theatrical traditions of the 19th century
- Magic lantern shows
- Stage melodramas
- Classical mythology adaptations in theater
This Film Influenced
- Subsequent adaptations of the Odyssey in cinema
- Early monster films of the 1910s and 1920s
- Fantasy films featuring giants and monsters
- Horror films featuring disfigurement and blinding
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Film Restoration
The film survives in both black and white and hand-colored versions, with copies held at the Cinémathèque Française and other film archives. Some versions are incomplete, but the basic narrative structure remains intact. The hand-colored versions are particularly rare and valuable to film historians. The film has been digitally restored by several archives and is available through various classic film collections.