A Brief History of Film

Keir Jenkins

The First Film• In 1894, the Lumiere brothers, Auguste and Louis, filmed ‘Sortie de l'usine

Lumière de Lyon,’ which translates to ‘Workers leaving the Lumierefactory.’ It is considered to be the first motion picture in history.

• In 1985, the Lumiere brothers released a film in the first private screening, of a train coming towards the camera. However, due to the viewers neverseeing this before, it is said to have ‘cause a stampede’ because the audience were so alarmed at the train coming towards them.

The first ‘Natural’ Colour Film

• In 2012, the first ever naturally coloured film was found in the National Media Museum. It dates back to 1902, and consists of children playing in a garden. This is referred to as ‘natural’ colour, because although coloured films were released beforehand, this was done by panting over the original film.

The First Sound Film

• “The Jazz Singer” was the first film to be made with sound. It was produced by Darryl F Zanuck in 1927, and Zanuck won the Special Academy Award for the film.