The Last Cartridges

The Last Cartridges

Screenshot from the film
Directed by Georges Méliès
Distributed by Star Film Company
Release dates
  • 1897
Running time
1min 11secs
Country France
Language Silent

The Last Cartridges (French: Les Dernières Cartouches, also released as Bombardement d'une Maison; Star Film Catalogue no. 105) is an 1897 French short silent film directed by Georges Méliès, based on the 1873 painting of the same name by Alphonse de Neuville.[1] The film recreates the defense of a house at Bazeille, on September 1, 1870 at the Battle of Sedan during the Franco-Prussian War.

The film was a great success and inspired the Lumière, Pathé and Gaumont studios to film imitations.[2]

The Alphonse de Neuville painting that inspired the film

Synopsis

A group of soldiers attempt to defend a derelict house, where a nun cares for their wounded, but the house is bombed as they fire the last of the rounds of ammunition they have gathered from the floor.

References

  1. Malthête, Jacques (1997). Georges Méliès, l'illusionniste fin de siècle?. Paris: Presses de la Sorbonne nouvelle. p. 80.
  2. "A brief History: Bombardement d'une maison". Europa Film Treasues. Retrieved 2011-05-25.

External links