Barbe-bleue (1902 film)

Infobox Film
name = Barbe-bleu


image_size = 270px
caption =
director = Georges Méliès
producer = Georges Méliès
writer = Georges Méliès
narrator =
starring = Georges Méliès
Jeanne d'Alcy
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Star Film
released = May 3 1902
runtime = minutes
country = flagicon|France France
language = Silent film
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0131934

"Barbe-bleue" (released in the USA as "Bluebeard") is a 1902 silent French crime film drama directed by Georges Méliès. It was released on May 3 1902.

ynopsis

The film is based on the fairy tale of Bluebeard written by Charles Perrault who also wrote Cinderella.

Lord Bluebeard is looking for a woman to become his eighth wife, as his first seven wives have all died. Many noble families bring their daughters to meet him, but none of the young women want to marry him. Bluebeard's great wealth, however, persuades one father to give his daughter's hand to him. She reluctantly marries him, and after a lavish wedding feast she begins her new life in his castle. One day as Bluebeard is going away on a journey, he warns his wife never to go into a certain room. When her curiosity finally gets the best of her, she realizes that she has placed herself in great danger. She enters the room, Melies at this point builds the suspense by keeping the lighting levels low, making out strange bag shapes. These bags reveal themselves to be the the seven past wives of the dubious Bluebeard hanning on a hooks. The key is stained with blood which the wife relentlessy tires to wash off. Later that night she has a dream of seven giant keys haunting her with a sense of freudian guilt from the dominating prescense of Bluebeard. On Bluebeards arrival he discovers his wife's untamable curiousity and violently shakes her. Her relatives save her from abuse and pin Bluebeard with a sword to the castle walls.

Cast

*Georges Méliès ... Barbe-bleue
*Jeanne d'Alcy ... Le nouvelle épouse de Barbe-bleue
*Bleuette Bernon ... La fée

External links and sources

*imdb title|id=0131934|title=Barbe-bleu
*youtube|jr5vRQTTQMU