A Trick of Light (Gebrüder Skladanowsky, Die) poster & wallpaper
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Udo Kier, Nadine Büttner, Christophe Merg, Lucie Hürtgen-Skladanowsky, Otto Kuhnle ... see more see more... , Bodo Lang , Alfred Szczot , Christoph Merg

This highly idiosyncratic film, seen mostly at film festivals, is intended to be shown in segments broken up by musical interludes. It is a centennial tribute and depiction of the efforts of the broth... read more read more...ers Skladanowsky to create and show the first motion pictures, hence, much of it was filmed using antique silent-film gear. This odd feature film by director Wim Wenders and his Munich film school class began as a class assignment. The Skladanowsky brothers gave "magic lantern" shows in Berlin for years before taking up the challenge of developing moving pictures. Their amateur efforts resulted in their development of a projector called the "Bioskop," (Bioscope), and their first commercial showing of a moving picture in Berlin in 1895 predates the Lumiere brothers' commercial showing in Paris by several weeks. The Lumiere brothers developed yet another type of film projector. Together with Edison and the Lumiere brothers, the Skladanowsky brothers deserve credit for the development of motion pictures. In this film tribute, large sections are done in the style of later silent features. In other portions of the film, Lucy Hurtgen-Skladanowsky (the very aged surviving daughter of one of the two brothers) vividly recounts her memories of the hectic activities surrounding the Bioskop premiere. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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62% liked it

65 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 19 min.

Directed by: Wim Wenders

Release Date: November 28, 1995

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DVD Release Date: April 6, 2004

Stats: 10 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (10)

  • SirPant
    February 15, 2011
    SirPant
    A trick of light is part documentary and part reenactment although in this film, the two cross paths - Instantly making this a standout film. It focuses on the Skladanowsky brothers, with the brilliant Udo Kier playing Max Skladanowsky and then switches to a real interview with M... read moreax Skladanowsky's real daughter, 91 your old Lucie who still remembers even the smallest details of the birth of the moving picture, thanks to her father and two uncles. It's full of anecdotes and factual references to other film pioneers of the time that occasionally jump into the present day interview in the cheeky style the brothers were famous for. It's a little self congratulatory with a 19 minute credit reel but it's forgivable considering that this film almost feels like a gift to film fans and those interested in the history of cinema. Outstanding!

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