Une bataille dans le vieux Stockholm

Plot

This early documentary short captures a staged fight between two men dressed in medieval attire on the streets of old Stockholm. The two combatants engage in a physical confrontation using what appears to be period-appropriate weapons or tools, surrounded by onlookers in period clothing. The scene was likely filmed in Stockholm's historic Gamla Stan (Old Town), utilizing the medieval architecture as an authentic backdrop. The fight sequence demonstrates the early cinematic interest in capturing action and movement, a novelty for audiences of 1897. The brief but dynamic scene concludes with one combatant emerging victorious while the other is defeated, all captured in a single continuous take typical of Lumière productions.

Historical Background

1897 marked a pivotal moment in cinema history, just two years after the Lumière brothers' first public screening in Paris. During this period, films were primarily short actualities or simple staged scenes shown as novelties in traveling exhibitions, music halls, and fairgrounds. The Lumière Company sent operators like Alexandre Promio around the world to capture exotic and interesting scenes for European audiences. This film was created during the early phase of what would become documentary filmmaking, though the line between actuality and staged entertainment was often blurred. Sweden in 1897 was undergoing rapid industrialization while still maintaining strong connections to its medieval past, making it an intriguing subject for early filmmakers. The film reflects the Victorian era's fascination with historical reenactments and the public's appetite for visual spectacles that transported them to different times and places.

Making Of

Alexandre Promio, working as an operator for the Lumière Company, traveled throughout Scandinavia in 1897 with the revolutionary cinematograph device. During his time in Stockholm, he sought to capture scenes that would be both educational and entertaining for European audiences. The fight scene was likely arranged with local participants who were either actors or local residents willing to perform for the camera. The medieval setting was chosen to provide visual interest and historical context. Filming in 1897 required natural lighting, so the scene was shot outdoors during daylight hours. The entire sequence was captured in one continuous take, as editing techniques had not yet been developed. Promio had to hand-crank the camera at a consistent speed to ensure proper exposure and smooth playback. The participants would have had to perform their fight sequence perfectly in one take, as retakes were expensive and time-consuming in this era of filmmaking.

Visual Style

The film was shot using the Lumière cinematograph on 35mm film with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. As was typical for Lumière productions, the camera remains stationary throughout the sequence, capturing the action from a single, fixed perspective. The natural lighting creates authentic shadows and highlights that enhance the medieval atmosphere. The composition carefully frames the fighting men and surrounding onlookers to maximize visual interest within the limited frame. The lack of camera movement or editing techniques forces the action to unfold naturally within the frame, creating a sense of immediacy and authenticity. The black and white imagery adds to the historical feel of the medieval setting, while the grain inherent in early film stock contributes to its documentary quality.

Innovations

Successful location shooting in challenging outdoor conditions,Use of natural lighting to create atmospheric effects,Single-take filming of complex action sequence,Preservation of historical setting and costumes on film,Early example of cross-cultural filmmaking and distribution

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic moment when one combatant defeats the other, with the surrounding crowd reacting to the outcome - all captured in a single, uninterrupted take that showcases early cinema's ability to preserve real-time action

What Critics Said

Contemporary reception of this film would have been focused on its novelty value rather than artistic merit. Critics and audiences of 1897 were primarily amazed by the technology of moving pictures themselves, with any subject matter being secondary to the wonder of seeing images move. The fight sequence would have been praised for its dynamic action, which was more engaging than the static scenes common in early cinema. Modern film historians recognize this work as an important example of early documentary practice and the Lumière Company's global reach. Scholars note the film's significance in capturing both real and staged elements, a practice that would become common in documentary filmmaking. The film is now appreciated for its historical value as an early example of location shooting and cultural documentation.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1897 would have been thrilled by this film's action and exotic location. The sight of a fight, even a staged one, was considered exciting entertainment for early cinema patrons. The medieval costumes and Stockholm setting would have added to the film's appeal, offering viewers a glimpse into a different time and place. The film's brevity (45 seconds) was typical for the era and suited the short attention spans of audiences experiencing moving pictures for the first time. Modern audiences viewing this film today appreciate it primarily for its historical value and as a window into both 19th-century Stockholm and the earliest days of cinema. The film serves as a fascinating time capsule, showing how entertainment and documentation were intertwined in early filmmaking.

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