The Box with Eight Eyes

Overview

The 2nd short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. In the 18th and 19th centuries, optical views were shown in optical boxes with magnifying lenses. The showmen organised a real spectacle, with a barker, music and sound effects. The views played with light (transparencies, perforations). A series of engravings shows the public's enthusiasm for these shows. The second part of the film is a reconstruction of such a show. First, there are views of Paris, Venice, Constantinople and Versailles, followed by various disasters: plague, floods, fires and shipwrecks.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

January 1, 1978

Original language

French

Spoken languages

French

Countries

Belgium, France

Production

SODEP,Sofidoc,Seuil Audiovisuel

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded